HEATON EYE ASSOCIATES - Key Persons
Adam Dossey, M.D., is a board certified glaucoma specialist with the distinction of being the only fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist in Tyler. Before joining Heaton Eye Associates in 2005, he completed his subspecialty training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Adam Dossey, M.D. is a Board Certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist. Before joining Heaton Eye Associates in 2005, he completed his subspecialty training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
While in medical school, Dr. Dossey graduated cum laude and was inducted into numerous honor societies including Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.
As an intern, he was elected "Co-Intern of the Year" by his peers. As a resident and fellow at Southwestern Medical Center, Dr. Dossey participated in multiple research projects.
Alexander Donovan, O.D. is an optometrist serving the Longview community, with a passion for providing the most advanced, quality vision care to residents of Longview and the surrounding areas.
Dr. Donovan graduated from the University of Nebraska with a B.A. in Biology. He earned his Doctor of Optometry at the Kentucky College of Optometry where he was President of Student Government and a tutor to first year optometry students in Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology.
Dr. Donovan has extensive experience in the treatment and management of dry eye and other ocular surface diseases. He is particularly invested in uncovering and treating the root cause - not just the symptoms - so that he can provide our dry eye patients with lasting relief. Dr. Donovan's other areas of expertise include SLT, YAG Peripheral Iridotomy and Capsulotomy, diabetic eye exams, refractive management, and diagnosing and treating ocular disease.
Dr. Donovan and his wife, Megan, are high school sweethearts from Omaha, Nebraska. They reside now in East Texas with their daughter and enjoy hiking, scuba diving, skiing and traveling in their spare time.
Charles Heaton, M.D. is a board certified ophthalmologist and the founder of Heaton Eye Associates. Tyler born and raised, Dr. Heaton completed his residency in all areas of comprehensive ophthalmology and continues to pass on his legacy as a clinical professor at The University of Texas Health Center. Since founding Heaton Eye Associates in 1983, he has performed over 15,000 surgical procedures with a special interest in LASIK and advanced cataract surgery to reduce or eliminate patients' dependence on glasses.
Charles Heaton, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and the founder of Heaton Eye Associates. Born and raised in Tyler, TX, Dr. Heaton received his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin, graduated from medical school at The University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas and completed his residency at Texas Tech Health Science Center and Lubbock General Hospital.
Since founding Heaton Eye Associates in 1983, he has performed more than 20,000 surgical procedures specializing in LASIK and advanced cataract surgery with lifestyle lenses.
A pioneer in LASIK and advanced cataract procedures, Dr. Heaton was one of the first to perform small incision, no shot, no stitch, no patch cataract surgery allowing for rapid vision recovery and quick return to normal activities following surgery. He is an expert in lifestyle lens implants with cataract surgery such as TECNIS® Symfony Multifocal and Alcon AcrySof® Toric and multifocal lenses.
Dr. Heaton also specializes in All-Laser LASIK. He helped bring excimer laser technology to the area after FDA approval in the mid-nineties, and was the first to perform LASIK in East Texas. Dr. Heaton has improved the quality of life for thousands of patients by allowing them to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
Dr. Heaton enjoys giving back to the community, and is involved with numerous charity organizations. He served on the advisory board of Youth With a Mission, Society to Prevent Blindness and serves on the Young Live Africa Committee. He also founded and continues to be the title sponsor for the Hope Open Tennis Tournament which benefits Living Alternatives. He has been involved in various humanitarian and religious sight saving missions including Orbis and Mercy Ships. Dr. Heaton and his wife of 40 years are active members of their church, and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Christy Guenther was born in Dallas, TX to missionary parents who raised her primarily overseas in Honduras and Spain where she learned to speak fluent Spanish. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Biola University in California before earning her Doctor of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Guenther then went on to complete a Residency in Primary Care and Specialty Contact Lenses.
Christy Guenther, O.D. was born in Dallas, Texas to missionary parents who raised her primarily overseas in Honduras and Spain where she learned to speak fluent Spanish. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Biola University in California before earning her Doctor of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry. Dr. Guenther then went on to complete a Residency in Primary Care and Specialty Contact Lenses. She has coauthored several papers and participated in research projects on color vision and diabetes in the eye.
Dr. Guenther has training in specialty contact lenses and ocular disease, and sees patients primarily in our Tyler and Athens locations. She is happy to provide first-class vision care to the families of East Texas.
In her free time, Dr. Guenther enjoys traveling with her husband, cheering on her favorite soccer and football teams, cooking new recipes and participating in medical missions.
David S. Risner, M.D., was born and raised in Indiana, trained most recently in Georgia and is happy to be a Texan. Dr. Risner began his education at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, before returning home to Indiana for medical school at the University of Indiana. He then headed south to complete his Internship and Residency and is now part of the excellent staff at the Heaton Eye Associates Longview office.
David Risner, M.D. was raised in Indiana and trained in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Risner began his education at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, before returning home for medical school at the University of Indiana. He then headed south to complete his internship and residency and then joined the Heaton Eye Associates team.
Dr. Risner specializes in treating retinal diseases including the use of lasers and injectable drugs for the treatment of diabetes, macular degeneration, and retinal vascular disease. He has also participated in and authored numerous studies.
Dr. Risner, along with his wife and four children, are excited to be part of the Longview community and serve the vision needs of his East Texas neighbors.
Jeffrey Hunter, M.D., F.A.A.P. is the only Board Certified Fellowship-Trained Pediatric and Adult Strabismus Specialist in the area and was recently honored by Texas Monthly magazine by being voted a "2009 Texas Super Doctor" by his peers. Before joining Heaton Eye Associates in 1996, he completed his subspecialty training in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus at Duke University Eye Center in North Carolina. Considered one of the premier pediatric ophthalmology surgeons, with over 10,000 surgical procedures performed, Dr. Hunter works with children and adults of all ages affected by strabismus.
Joel Muirhead, M.D., is a board certified ophthalmologist who received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and his surgical training in San Antonio at the prestigious and highly selective combined Army and Air Force ophthalmology residency program at Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall. He served as the department of surgery chief at two Army hospitals prior to entering private practice with Heaton Eye Associates in Longview.
Joel T. Muirhead, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist who received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He was named Intern of the Year at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center before continuing his surgical training in San Antonio at the prestigious and highly selective combined Army and Air Force ophthalmology residency program at Brooke Army Medical Center and Wilford Hall.
Before joining Heaton Eye Associates, Dr. Muirhead served as the Aeromedical Ophthalmology Consultant to the U.S. Army Aeromedical Center Commander at Fort Rucker, Alabama. His efforts in that role helped formulate policy on topics ranging from glaucoma vision care to vision correction protocols for all U.S. Army Aviation personnel. Dr. Muirhead served as the department of surgery chief at two Army hospitals prior to entering private practice with Heaton Eye Associates in Longview in 2003.
Dr. Muirhead specializes in refractive cataract surgery. He is a pioneer in utilizing advanced lifestyle lens implants for cataract surgery, having been one of the first in the area to use lenses such as ReSTOR®, TECNIS® Multifocal, Crystalens and astigmatism correcting implants. He has performed many thousands of cataract surgeries, and has also incorporated microincisional glaucoma surgery for his cataract patients who also have glaucoma. Dr. Muirhead also specializes in All-Laser LASIK, and has been performing laser vision correction procedures since 1999.
He continues to be an active member of the military through his service in the Air Force Reserve as a flight surgeon for the 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale Airforce Base. He, his wife and three daughters are proud to call Longview home.
Jordan D. Spindle, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and is the only two year fellowship trained Oculofacial plastic surgeon in Tyler. Born and raised in Denison, Texas, Dr. Spindle completed his undergraduate degree with honors in Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. He then went on to graduate from medical school at the University of Texas in Houston. After medical school Dr. Spindle completed his internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, TX. He did his Ophthalmology residency in New York City, and was then chosen from a highly competitive field of applicants to train for two years as an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellow at the prestigious UAB Callahan Eye Hospital.
Dr. Spindle and his wife, Karen, grew up in Texas and are looking forward to making Texas their home again and being part of the East Texas community. In his spare time, Dr. Spindle enjoys outdoor activities including camping, hunting, fishing, skiing, running and traveling. An avid sports fan, he enjoys following the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks.
Jordan Spindle, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and is the only two year fellowship trained Oculofacial surgeon in Tyler. Born and raised in Denison, Texas, Dr. Spindle completed his undergraduate degree with honors in Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. He then went on to graduate from Medical School at the University of Texas in Houston. After medical school Dr. Spindle completed his internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, TX.
Matthew R. Marshall, O.D. is a Therapeutic Optometrist and Glaucoma Specialist serving the Tyler, Longview communities. A residency-trained Optometrist, Dr. Marshall believes in the importance of utilizing the latest technologies and treatments and is passionate about providing world-class vision and medical eye care to East Texans of all ages.
Matthew Marshall, O.D. is a Therapeutic Optometrist and Glaucoma Specialist serving the Tyler and Longview communities. A residency-trained Optometrist, Dr. Marshall believes in the importance of utilizing the latest technologies and treatments and is passionate about providing world-class vision and medical eye care to East Texans of all ages.
Dr. Marshall graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology. He earned his Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Marshall furthered his training by completing an Optometric Residency in Family Practice at West Tennessee Eye, a private practice in Memphis. There, he gained experience in the treatment and management of ocular disease, as well as routine vision care of both general and special-needs populations.
In addition, Dr. Marshall enjoys prescribing and fitting contact lenses and works closely with the ophthalmologists at Heaton Eye Associates in providing primary and post-operative care.
Dr. Marshall's wife, Katie, is an East Texas native and they and their two daughters enjoy being Tyler residents. In his spare time, Dr. Marshall enjoys running, spending time with family and traveling as often as he can.
P. Christi Carter, M.D. is a Board-Certified ophthalmologist specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases, including cataract surgery with Lifestyle Lenses. She is a native Texan, born and raised in the Austin area. She attended Texas A&M University on a full volleyball scholarship, and graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Kinesiology. While there, she received many accolades for her academic and athletic performance, including being named a National Strength & Conditioning All-American candidate, and a member of the CoSIDA Academic All-American Women's Volleyball First Team.
Shannon LeBus, O.D. is a Therapeutic Optometrist and Glaucoma Specialist serving patients in our Tyler location. She enjoys caring for patients of all ages and helping them to achieve their best possible vision.
Dr. LeBus graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in Biology/Anatomy and Physiology. She went on to obtain her doctorate degree in Optometry (O.D.) from the University of Houston College of Optometry. She spent her first six years in private practice in the Houston area where she gained experience in primary eye care and the treatment and management of ocular disease.
Dr. LeBus enjoys prescribing and fitting contact lenses and works closely with the Ophthalmologist at Heaton Eye Associates and for pre- and post-operative care for LASIK and Cataract surgery.
She enjoys spending time with her husband and two young children and staying active outdoors. Dr. LeBus' husband is a native East Texan, and they are excited to raise their family and make their home here.
Thad D. Hardin, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist specializing in All-Laser LASIK vision correction and cataract surgery with advanced Lifestyle Lenses. Before joining Heaton Eye Associates in 2000, Dr. Hardin completed his residency as Chief Resident in comprehensive ophthalmology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Due to his academic success, he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, and received the Helma Award for best research project.
Dr. Hardin has been voted "Best Ophthalmologist" by the readers of the Athens Review. He has helped countless East Texans improve their lives by working to improve their vision. He specializes in diagnosing and treating cataracts, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and macular degeneration. Dr. Hardin also provides routine family care in our Athens clinic.
Dr. Hardin enjoys his time coaching football, basketball and soccer and participating in medical missions. He also enjoys waters sports of all kinds, car racing, golf and physical fitness. Dr. Hardin, his wife and their three children are happy to call Athens home.
Thad Hardin, M.D., is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in All-Laser LASIK vision correction and cataract surgery and has the distinction of being voted "Best Ophthalmologist" by the readers of the Athens Review. Before joining Heaton Eye Associates in 2000, Dr. Hardin completed his residency as Chief Resident in Comprehensive Ophthalmology at the Medical University of South Carolina. Due to his academic success, Dr. Hardin was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and received the Helma Award for best research project.
Todd Nickel, D.O. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist specializing in laser vision correction, cataract surgery and refractive lens procedures. Dr. Nickel earned his medical degree at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He then completed an internship at Children's Mercy Hospital. He continued his training with a three-year ophthalmology residency at University of Kansas School of Medicine where he trained with nationally recognized pioneers in LASIK surgery and intraocular lens procedures. During Medical School, he initiated research and was the lead author of a LASIK study presented at the Eye Banks Association of America scientific session to the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Orlando, Florida. He is also the son of a long-time Optometrist in Kansas, and has always had in interest in vision correction.
Dr. Nickel joined Heaton Eye Associates in 2004 and has performed over 10,000 ophthalmic surgeries since that time. He is a regional leader in LASIK and refractive procedures utilizing femtosecond and excimer lasers. He loves to help improve the quality of life of his patients when he performs surgeries to eliminate glasses and contact lenses. An experienced cataract surgeon, he also focuses on the implantation of intraocular lenses to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia.
With varied work and volunteer experiences, Dr. Nickel has served as director of many youth programs and summer camps. He is also involved in several charitable and mission organizations and is on the Board of Directors with the Lighthouse for Christ in Mombasa, Kenya.
Dr. Nickel enjoys running, hiking, skiing and spending time with his wife of 25 years, Stephanie, and their four kids.
Will Brice, O.D. is an optometrist serving the Athens community, with a passion for providing the most advanced, quality vision care to residents of Athens and the surrounding areas.
Dr. Brice graduated from the University of Arkansas with a B.S. in Anthropology with a focus in Ethnopharmacology. He earned his Doctor of Optometry at the Kentucky College of Optometry with areas of focus that included laser, injections and minor surgical procedures. Dr. Brice was a founding member and on the board of trustees of the American Optometric Students Association and American Optometric Students Association Political Action Committee.
Dr. Brice has extensive experience in the treatment and management of ocular diseases, minor laser procedures and cataract surgery management. Dr. Brice is a founding member of the KYCO Sports Vision Club and assisted in concussion research in conjunction with a Division One Football team.
As the son of two optometrists, Dr. Brice has been involved in vision care from an early age. He enjoys connecting with patients and providing care for their vision over time.
Dr. Brice and his wife, Crystal, reside in Athens with their Dachshund, Sue Ellen and their cat, Kairi. In his spare time, Dr. Brice enjoys fishing, hunting, cooking and spending time with friends and loved ones.