EYESIGHT ASSOCIATES - Key Persons

Dr. Don Clark completed his pre-med curriculum at Georgia State University and received his Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. While attending Southern, he completed an externship at St. Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute in Tarpon Springs, Florida with a focus on post-surgical care, glaucoma, and dry eye management. Dr. Clark has over 30 years of experience in the treatment and management of ocular disease with an emphasis on primary eye care. Prior to joining Eyesight Associates in May of 2021, Dr. Clark has been practicing optometry in Dublin, Georgia since 1993. And he is now accepting new patients at Eyesight Associates newest location in beautiful downtown Dublin.

Dr. Tamara Beckett joined Eyesight Associates in 2019 after practicing in Savannah, GA for 7 years and Aiken, SC for 2 years. She graduated with honors from Florida Gulf Coast University with a B.A. in Biology. She also graduated with honors from Nova Southeastern University with her doctorate of optometry. While in school, Dr. Beckett completed two ocular disease internships, one at the Salisbury VA Hospital and the other at MacDill Air Force Base Hospital. Dr. Beckett specializes in contact lens fittings and the treatment of ocular diseases, including glaucoma and dry eye. Dr. Beckett lives in Warner Robins with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs. Dr. Beckett's primary hobby is sewing. In addition to sewing most of her own clothing, Dr. Beckett is a seamstress for the NICU Helping Hands, which provides burial gowns for infants made from donated wedding gowns. She also enjoys knitting, working out, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Taylor Brigham was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Taylor graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Biology and from Southern College of Optometry with a Doctor of Optometry in 2017. After graduation, Dr, Brigham moved to Dublin, Georgia to practice primary eye care including pediatrics, contact lens fitting, and ocular disease management

Dr. Tim Ducey received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina, attending on a scholarship from the US Army. He completed an internship at William Beaumont Army Medical Center and then did a utilization tour as a Flight Surgeon with the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade. He then completed his residency at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. He later worked for the Army as a Comprehensive Ophthalmologist at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA. While there he performed hundreds of surgeries on soldiers and retirees, including basic and premium cataract surgery, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, and refractive surgeries including LASIK, PRK and Visian ICL placement. Dr. Ducey lives in Macon with his wife, Kristen, and 4 children. In his free time, he enjoys golf and spending time with his kids.

Dr. Schneider received his medical degree from Ohio State University. He also holds a Master of Science in counseling from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from State University of New York. Dr. Schneider has been a delegate to the American Medical Association and the Ohio Medical Association. He has also been a speaker for the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Johnny Gayton is regarded as one of the world's leading eye surgeons. He has always been motivated by the scriptural admonition to do all things heartily as unto the Lord. His desire to do his best has contributed to success in school, championships in sports, successful children, speaking engagements, charitable endeavors, and surgical excellence. Born and raised in rural Georgia, Dr. Gayton graduated with honors from North Cobb High School, the University of Georgia, and the Medical College of Georgia. In 1983, he became the youngest practicing ophthalmologist in the United States. That same year Dr. Gayton opened Eyesight Associates, becoming Houston County's first full-time ophthalmologist. In 2000, he opened Houston County's first accredited ambulatory surgery center. Eyesight Associates has grown to eight locations, one surgery center, ten doctors, one ophthalmic PA, and numerous staff members trained in ophthalmology. Dr. Gayton is certified by the American Board Of Ophthalmology and the American Board Of Eye Surgery. He is a member of numerous professional associations, such as: American Academy of Aesthetic & Restorative Surger American Academy of Ophthalmology (Fellow) Society For Excellence in Eyecare (Fellow) American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery International Society of Refractive Surgery Dr. Gayton had experience in emergency rooms, anesthesiology, and general medicine prior to becoming an ophthalmologist. His contributions to ophthalmology include: Developing techniques for glaucoma surgery Side-approach cataract surgery to help decrease post-operative astigmatism Improved refractive surgery techniques Developed and improved the piggyback lOL procedure Developed the technique of using femtosecond and Omidria-assisted cataract surgery Dr. Gayton has written award-winning papers and three informative books: The Crystal Clear Guide to Sight for Life Refractive Surgery for Eyecare Para-Professionals Maximizing Results: Strategies in Refractive, Corneal, Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery He has also been a contributing author to many other books. Having given over 300 lectures, Dr. Gayton is a highly regarded lecturer and teacher by other eye professionals around the world. One of Dr. Gayton's passions is caring for his patients. His concern for his patients has motivated him to spend years developing and learning better, safer ways of performing surgery. Dr. Gayton's innovations have benefited those with glaucoma, cataracts, nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Dr. Bryant grew up in Cochran, Georgia and graduated from Bleckley County High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science in biology and computer information systems from Georgia College and State University. He received his Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in 1989. Upon graduation he began his affiliation with Eyesight Associates. He specializes in cornea and external diseases of the eye and eye lid as well as fitting ocular prosthetics. His professional associations include the American Optometric Association and the Georgia Optometric Association. Dr. Bryant is married and has two children. He lives in Cochran where he operates a farm during his off hours. Dr. Bryant currently is accepting new patients in our Cordele office.

Dr. Minix received his bachelor's and medical degrees from the University of Kentucky. Following his internship in internal medicine at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, he completed an ophthalmology residency at the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 1999, where he also served as a faculty member upon graduation. Dr. Minix is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is licensed to practice medicine in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Dr. Minix is a medical ophthalmologist with a practice emphasis on glaucoma and diabetes. Prior to joining Eyesight Associates, Dr. Minix worked in private practice in Lexington, Kentucky and in Albany, Georgia. Dr. Minix sees patients at our Eyesight Associates South location at 100 Spillers Way in Warner Robins. Born in Savannah, Georgia, Dr. Minix hails from a long line of ophthalmologists and optometrists dating back to the early 1900s. His father, Micheal B. Minix Sr., MD, who is now retired, completed his internship at Memorial Hospital in Savannah. Other family members who also chose the path of caring for eyes include: his maternal grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, and great grandfather, all of whom were optometrists. Prior to joining the family tradition of eye care, Dr. Minix followed his love for baseball. He was a draft pick for the New York Yankees in 1987 and attended Vanderbilt University on a baseball scholarship. Dr. Minix and his wife Emily reside in the Warner Robins area where they enjoy spending time with their two children.