Our Doctors

Undergraduate Education: Auburn University of Montgomery; Bachelor’s in physical science. Optometry School: University of Alabama at Birmingham; Doctor of Optometry. Professional Achievements and Associations: Diplomate, American Board of Optometry. The reason I became an optometrist is: During my 24-year career in the Air Force, I was cross trained from working with bombs to working with Ophthalmologists. I spent 9 years running the Ophthalmology clinic in Montgomery Alabama and developed a deep appreciation for eye care. After my retired from the Air Force, I completed my education to become an Optometrist and have enjoyed helping people see their best since. My favorite part of helping my patients is: I enjoy the education part of my job. I like informing my patients how different conditions effect the eye, or how their eye's ability to see changes as they reach their 40's and beyond. I also like to see the face of a child when they put their first pair of glasses on, and they see clearly. In my spare time, I enjoy: I'm a Disc golfer, played it since the early 1980's. Even at 64 I can still give the youngsters a run for their money! I also enjoy bike riding a good morning jog when I have time.

Undergraduate Education: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, BS in Biological Engineering. Optometry School: University of Alabama at Birmingham College of Optometry. Certifications/Awards: American Optometric Association. Hobbies/Interests: Family, Sports, and Food.

Undergraduate Education: West Georgia College; BS Physics. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry; Memphis, TN; 1982. Professional Achievements and Associations: Ga. Optometric Assn.; American Optometric Assn. Chief Optometry Service, Giessen Army Medical Center, Giessen, Germany; Chief Optometry Service, Tuttle Army Health Clinic, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Ga. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Externship, Public Health Service Hospital, Shiprock, New Mexico; Externship, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. Contact Lenses; Primary Care. The reason I became an optometrist is: Severe eye injury as a child made me realize just how precious vision is in our lives. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Patient’s reaction when they realize they are going see so very much better. In my spare time, I enjoy: Playing guitar, golf, fishing, spending time with my family.

Undergraduate Education: University of Maryland. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. The reason I became an optometrist is: Fascination with the visual system and optics. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Meeting a broad range of interesting individuals, and helping them meet, or exceed, their vision needs. In my spare time, I enjoy: My Family, my dog, water sports, and home renovation!

Undergraduate Education: SUNY Binghamton; Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Optometry School: State University of NY College of Optometry; 1995. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Multifocal contact lens fittings. The reason I became an optometrist is: I was fit with contact lenses at 14 and I loved the confidence it gave me. I was a shy teenager and wearing contacts allowed me to come out from hiding beyond glasses. This experience made me want to learn everything I could about helping people see better. I then became fascinated with optometry. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Seeing the difference that improving vision has helped better my patient’s lifestyles. I really enjoy helping my community and I enjoy sharing the updated technology in eyecare. I absolutely love my job and continue to help families I have been seeing for years. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my husband and two children. I love traveling and I am always looking for a good book and an amazing slice of pizza (New York raised).

Undergraduate Education: Baylor University. Optometry School: University of Houston. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? Dr. Lauren Denton is a licensed Therapeutic Optometrist and certified Optometric Glaucoma Specialist. She is excited to be serving the Amarillo area and seeks to provide excellent care to all her patients. Dr. Denton focused on primary care, post-operative care, and ocular disease. She enjoys seeing patients of all ages. Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, reading, supporting her favorite college teams.

Dr. Deol-Lucas obtained her Doctorate of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.

Dr. Detsch attended Penn State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with high honors. She subsequently obtained her Doctorate of Optometry from Salus University, where she also graduated with honors. During optometry school, she was elected to the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society. During her optometric studies, Dr. Detsch traveled the country externing at a wide-range of optometric practices. She then completed her optometric training at Clayton Eye Center in Morrow, GA, where she completed an ocular disease/primary care residency. When she's not practicing optometry, she enjoys traveling, exercising & spending time with her children & husband.

Dr. AJ DeVivo began his medical career in the U.S. Army, serving as a CAT scan technician. Earning a ROTC scholarship, he pursued his goal of becoming an optometrist and graduated with honors from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, PA. He began his optometric career as an Army Officer at the largest American hospital in Germany. Over more than 35 years, Dr. DeVivo has practiced in diverse settings, including military medicine, private practice, an ophthalmology surgical group, private opticals, corporate practice, and mobile eye care for medically underserved communities in South Carolina through a Federally Qualified Health Center. Dr. DeVivo has volunteered and mentored, with service including Medworks at Cleveland Clinic, Lion’s Club, mission work in Haiti, hospital based optometric student preceptorship program, high school mentorship programs, and leadership roles with professional organizations. He has published in Review of Optometry and served as a clinical director and board member of a LASIK center. Outside of work, Dr. DeVivo enjoys boating, hiking, fishing, hunting, photography, scuba diving and travel. His biggest accomplishment is his family, having met his wife the day he joined the Army. Together, they have four children.

Dr. Kajal Dhebaria completed her Doctor of Optometry degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in 2012. She is originally from New Jersey where she received her Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University. After graduating school, she lead the Raleigh branch for an Ophthalmology practice focusing on a range of ocular disease to routine eye care. She brings a wealth of experience to The Eye Institute from her training in surgical pre- and post-operative care, management, and treatment of ocular disease, with a special focus on Dry Eye Syndrome. She also fits contact lenses and enjoys pediatric eye care. Dr. Dhebaria moved to North Carolina in 2012 with her husband and they firmly call Raleigh home, where they are raising their daughter. She enjoys traveling, fitness classes, crafts and family time. Dr. Dhebaria is fluent in Gujarati and speaks Hindi.

Undergraduate Education: University of Pittsburgh, BS. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, 1996. Professional Achievements and Associations: Member of the Virginia Optometric Association and American Optometric Association; Previous owner of Primary Eyecare before merging with MyEyeDr in 2019. The reason I became an optometrist is: I enjoy working with a very specific part of the body that is crucial for normal day to day functioning. Receiving my first pair of contact lenses as a teenager was life changing and I want patients to be excited about the options available to help them see well for school, sports, leisure activities, and work. My favorite part of helping my patients is: Providing the most up to date exam technology and exploring all eyewear and contact lens options to help patients look and see their best. After practicing for 25 years, a lot of my patients are like family and I look forward to helping them with any visual needs. In my spare time, I enjoy: Spending time with my family, fitness, long distance running, cooking, music, dogs, traveling.

Dr. Paola Diaz is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston, and eventually moving to Austin during her high school years. In Austin, she graduated from Westwood High School and she then attended The University of Texas at Austin where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology. Following her undergraduate degree, Dr. Diaz received her Optometry training from The University of Houston College of Optometry, completing the program with Magna Cum Laude distinction.

Undergraduate Education: Carson-Newman College, BS Biology. Optometry School: Illinois College of Optometry, 1974. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: Soft Contact lens fitting and long-term care. The reason I became an optometrist is: The reason I became an optometrist is: At age 5, I was diagnosed with blurred vision in my right eye, prescribed glasses that did not clear my vision, and subsequently saw many eye care providers, and no one explained to me why I could not see clearly. I want my patient to understand their problem, why it occurred, and how we can best manage their needs short and long term. My favorite part of helping my patients is: My emphasis of eye care is helping patients and their family understand the presenting problem, solutions, and long-term care. Very important to help kids and their parents know they did nothing wrong, and they are not going blind. In my spare time, I enjoy: My John Deere lawn mower is my favorite partner in management of 16 acres. My passion is growing blooming plants, snow skiing, and eating.

Undergraduate Education: Villanova University; Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry; Professional Achievements/Associations: Diplomate-American Board of Optometry, Virginia Optometric Association & American Optometric Association; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: Author, The Big Book of Family Eyecare- Basic Health Publishers; What drives your passion for optometry? I'm a 3rd generation optometrist in my family, and my wife is an optometrist. Eye care is in my blood & I love caring for my patients. How are you helping patients live their best lives? By deeply listening to my patients I seek to understand their concerns & then individualize each examination while still providing comprehensive care. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Providing positively impactful visual & ocular health solutions for my patients concerns. How are you impacting your local community? I am a Board Member of the Jefferson Area Crimestoppers. Hobbies/Interests: Motorsports including Formula 1 & GT Racing. Participating in car shows.

Dr. Grace Dille, a native of northeastern Colorado, earned a biology degree from Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA, and completed her Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry. There, she developed a strong foundation in comprehensive eye care, contact lens fittings, and the diagnosis and management of ocular diseases. Dr. Dille is committed to providing personalized, high-quality eye care to patients of all ages. Her clinical experiences include rotations through surgical co-management sites, community health centers, and private practices. She enjoys the outdoors, watching sports, playing games, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Odie.

Dr. Catherine Dinh was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. She then moved to Arlington, TX, where she graduated from Timberview High School and the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She earned her Doctorate from the University of Houston, College of Optometry in 2015, receiving an award upon graduation for excellence in vision development and vision therapy. She has completed externships where she received extensive training on contact lens fitting and the treatment and management of ocular diseases including dry eyes, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. She is also highly trained in the preoperative and postoperative care of cataract and refractive surgeries such as LASIK and PRK. Dr. Dinh is a licensed therapeutic optometrist and optometric glaucoma specialist. She is also a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), Texas Optometric Association (TOA), and the Tarrant County Optometric Society (TCOS). She is fluent in Vietnamese and can conduct eye examinations in Vietnamese. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games and playing the piano/organ for the Vietnamese Martyrs Catholic Church. Dr. Dinh, her husband, and their son live in Arlington.

Undergraduate Education: UNC Greensboro; Optometry School: Nova Southeastern University; Professional Achievements/Associations: Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society; How are you helping patients live their best lives? I love getting to know people and helping them see their best. What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients.