Enjoy Life without Cataracts

In 1975, my family emigrated to the US from South Vietnam as the result of the war. After spending a summer in California, we settled in Oklahoma, where our sponsor lived. Although I was not Sooner-born, I was definitely Sooner-bred as I grew up in Oklahoma from the age of 7 1⁄2 until graduating from medical school at the University of Oklahoma. I made a last minute decision and switched to Ophthalmology. I felt very lucky to match in an Ophthalmology residency program at Indiana University.

After four years in Indianapolis, it was time to find a job. Although the benefits were right and the job in Americus seemed a good fit, I moved to south Georgia with lots of trepidation.

Among the top of this list included: 1) How would an Asian fit into the culture in south Georgia? and 2) How would a single man find relationships in south Georgia. My initial plan was to stay for about 5 years and then relocate. But over 2 decades later, I can say that the fit (culturally, emotionally, and spiritually) was good. After all, I married a girl from Americus, raised 5 children and many dogs, and found Christ here in south Georgia. The rest is just gravy.

My practice in south Georgia has also thrived, as I have performed around 15,000 cataract surgeries. This does not include a variety of other eye surgeries, such as glaucoma, muscle, and plastics surgeries. In 2020, we were blessed to be able to open our office-based surgery center. This allowed us to provide surgeries in a more relaxed and comfortable environment than the hospital.

My philosophy for this practice included two concepts. The first concept is to make Regional Eye Center the place where patients, family, friends, and other doctors want to go for eye care. This requires utilizing all the skills that I learned during medical school and residency. It would also require me to keep an open mind in order to keep up with the changing knowledge of eye care, to stay updated with new technology that is constantly being developed, and to listen to patients in order to provide routine as well as novel approaches to eye care. The second concept is to allow myself and Regional Eye Center to be used by God to expand His Kingdom. This would require humility, boldness, discernment, and wisdom to distinguish between my plan and His plan. This second part is definitely the much more difficult of the two as God is continually teaching me and showing me new ideas and angles with which to perceive things.

I feel that we are not where we want to be on either concepts yet. But that is the point of being human. I and the other doctors continue to strive to achieve these concepts. We will continue to work for all eternity to achieve these concepts. That we have not given up is what makes this practice different and worthwhile. That we have not given up is the real philosophy of this practice.

Dr. Tu & Morpheus8

Specialties: General Ophthalmology Cataract Surgery Laser Vision Correction

Locations: Americus 

Education

• B.S. in Zoology (1988) University of Oklahoma Norman, Oklahoma
• Doctor of Medicine (1992) University of Oklahoma College of Medicine Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Internship (1992-1993) St. Vincent's Hospital and Health Care Center Indianapolis, Indiana
• Ophthalmology Residency (1993-1996) Indiana University Medical Center Indianapolis, Indiana

Board Certification American Board of Ophthalmology

Associations

• Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons
• Member, American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
• Member, Georgia Society of Ophthalmology
• Volunteer, Eyecare America
• Volunteer, Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation

Click here to read Dr. Tu's full story on Issuu.com

I'm a local boy, born and raised in Americus. After high school, I played baseball at Georgia Southwestern State University before completing my undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia, where I earned a bachelor's degree in biology. From Athens, I relocated to Birmingham and graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2012. It was during that year that I met my wonderful wife, Kristine, and together we have been blessed with three amazing children: Silas, Harper, and Collins.

Growing up in Americus, my love for the outdoors blossomed. I spend a significant amount of my leisure time hunting and fishing alongside my father, brothers, and my son. When I'm not in a deer stand or out on the water, you can catch me coaching my son in baseball and football, or proudly watching my beautiful daughters perform at dance recitals. My family and I attend Central Baptist Church in Americus, which is a significant part of our lives.

Early on in life, I realized that glasses and contacts were going to be essential for me to see clearly. My parents always took me to the best, which led us to Regional Eye Center. I've been a patient at Regional Eye Center since the late '80s, and witnessing the expertise, compassion, and humility of the doctors there greatly influenced my decision to become an optometrist. When the opportunity arose for me to join Regional Eye Center in 2012, I knew it was the ideal place for both personal and professional growth. Being a part of a practice that combines down-to-earth doctors with cutting-edge technology makes me immensely proud.

My mission at Regional Eye Center is not only to maintain the high level of patient care that has been established here for years but also to enhance and expand upon it. I cherish the time I spend with my patients, and daily interactions with them fuel my passion for this profession and keep me deeply connected to my community. One of my favorite aspects about our practice is our ability to serve a wide range of patients. Whether you're a healthy one-year-old or 100-years-old with multiple concerns, we are here to provide the care you need.

My education at UAB and over a decade of experience at Regional Eye Center have equipped me with expertise in diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and various other eye conditions. I particularly enjoy fitting scleral lenses for individuals with keratoconus, corneal scarring, or exceptionally high glasses prescriptions. I am genuinely excited about our past, present, and future at Regional Eye Center.

Specialties: Primary Care Optometry, Contact Lenses

Locations: Americus, Leesburg

Education:

• B.S. in Biology (2007) University of Georgia Athens, Georgia
• Doctor of Optometry (2012) University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama

Board Certification: Georgia Board of Optometry 

Associations:

• Georgia Optometric Association
• American Optometric Association

I grew up in nearby Albany, Georgia and graduated from Westover Comprehensive High School in 1996. I was fortunate to have received several scholarships for college including a baseball scholarship to play for the Darton Cavaliers. After two years at Darton I moved to Valdosta, Georgia where I graduated with a B.S. degree in Biology in 2001. And most importantly, found the Lord through the help of the love of my life, Ashley. Ashley and I wed in May of 2001 and moved to St Louis for me to pursue Optometry School and for her to teach. I graduated from the University of Missouri at St. Louis Optometry School, with honors, in 2005 and we moved back home to our Georgia roots. 

I had planned to practice in my hometown but God had different plans for me. Little did I know, but my interview at Regional Eye Center would change my life forever. My Christian faith was growing at this time and the focus of the interview wasn't so much on my clinical skills, as they knew I was properly educated, but on my character and my walk with the Lord. It didn't take long to realize that if given the chance, I would be joining an elite team of Christian men and women that had the highest set of morals. They also were all very gifted clinical practitioners who loved the Lord and had a desire to take care of every patient to the best of their ability.

Upon joining Regional Eye Center in July of 2005, my immediate goal was to find out what I could add to this already very successful practice. My true passion for growing Regional Eye Center targeted four categories of focus: First, I wanted to head up our optical department and stay on the forefront of technology. I wanted to ensure that our patients were getting the best quality single vision and progressive lenses for their eyeglasses that also matched their particular lifestyles and vision needs while keeping the cost lower than our competitors. Secondly, I wanted to incorporate Low Vision into our practice in which we help individuals with reduced vision, caused by various eye diseases, to see and do things via low vision aids that they were previously unable to do on their own. And what a rewarding adventure that has been. Third, through many of my rotations in inter-city St. Louis, I developed a passion for treating ocular diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. I wanted to continue serving this population. This was another blessing for me ending up at Regional Eye Center, where we have one of the largest practices in south Georgia made up of a large percentage of diabetics and glaucoma patients. Finally, since Regional Eye Center has multiple locations, a surgery center, 6 doctors and a staff of nearly 60 great employees, I wanted us to grow as a family. I wanted to do my part to make Regional Eye Center more than just a job. I wanted everyone to look forward to coming to work and experiencing joy with coworkers while helping others. 

My personal goals, along with those of many others, are part of an ongoing mission at Regional Eye Center to fulfill an ultimate goal of providing the best eye care possible to our patients. Regional Eye Center is a premium practice built on Christian values started by Dr. Ray Williams in 1970. To date it has expanded upon these values with the additions of Dr. Ken Moates, Dr. Valerie Moates, Dr. Chanh Tu, myself and Dr. Matthew Greene. Each of these doctors I am very thankful to say have been great mentors to me over the years.

Ashley and I have raised two children here in Americus and have become very involved with our church at First Baptist of Americus, where I serve as a Sunday School teacher and deacon. 

Specialties:
Primary Care Optometry
Contact Lenses
Low Vision

Locations:
Americus
Leesburg

Education
B.S. in Biology (2001)
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia

Doctor of Optometry (Honors) (2005)
University of Missouri at St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri

Board Certification
Georgia Board of Optometry 

Associations
Georgia Optometric Association
American Optometric Association            

I grew up in Americus and graduated from Americus High School in 1979. After 9 years of college, professional school and residency I returned home to Americus in 1988 — the place I’ve always considered home. That same year I married my wife, Dr. Valerie Moates, and we raised our 4 children in this wonderful community. I have been active at First Baptist Church of Americus since 1969 as a 9-year-old!

I have been blessed to experience a very high-quality education. One of the most rewarding things, professionally and personally, is the privilege of utilizing my education to care for the members of our community that mean so much to me and have poured their lives into me.

I thank Dr. Ray Williams for the opportunity he gave Valerie and me in 1988 to practice here. Dr. Williams has always been one of the best optometrists I’ve known, and his skills are only surpassed by his sterling character. We shared a similar vision from the very beginning: provide patients with the best care possible. 

Our goal was to provide state-of-the-art patient care with the latest technology that at one time was thought to only be available in bigger cities like Atlanta. We also wanted to integrate the best of optometry and ophthalmology to provide for every need of our patients, from routine eyecare with glasses and contacts to high-tech surgery — all under one roof. 

However, it was even more important to provide this care with compassion, professionalism, and integrity. As Dr. Williams has told me from day one, every decision we make will begin with one standard and question: “Is this best for our patients?” That is still what guides us at Regional Eye Center. 

Many things have changed with now 6 doctors, including an eye surgeon, with multiple locations and one of the very few in-office surgical suites. But one thing will always remain the same: the admirable core principles Dr. Williams founded this practice upon.

Education:

B.S. in Chemistry (Honors) (1983)

Auburn University

Doctor of Optometry (Honors) (1987)

University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

Ocular Disease Residency (1987-1988)

Hospital-based optometry
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
VA Medical Center
Baltimore, MD
Wilmer Eye Institute
Baltimore, Maryland

Board Certification

Georgia Board of Optometry

Diplomate 

American Board of Optometry

Born in Texas, Dr. Moates grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL. She came to the Americus area in 1988 to join the eye care practice. She is happily married to Ken and they have 3 daughters and 1 son. She is also a certified 4-H volunteer. She thoroughly enjoys all her childrens's sports and activities. Dr. Moates is a member of First Baptist Church where she sings in the choir and is active in the children's ministries.

Specialties:

Dry Eye Primary Care Optometry Contact Lenses

Locations:

Americus Leesburg

Education:

B.S. in Microbiology (1985) University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, Alabama Doctor of Optometry (1988) University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama

Board Certification

Georgia Board of Optometry

Associations

Georgia Optometric Association  (past President 3rd District) American Optometric Association Volunteer, Vision USA

Specialties: Primary Care Optometry Contact Lenses Locations: Americus Education Undergraduate (1963) Georgia Southwestern College Americus, Georgia Doctor of Optometry (1966) Southern College of Optometry Memphis, Tennessee Board Certification Georgia Board of Optometry Associations Georgia Optometric Association (past President 3rd District) American Optometric Association Americus Lions Club (past President) Americus Jaycees (past member) Volunteer, Vision USA Born in nearby Smithville, Dr. Williams came to Americus to establish the eye care practice in 1970. Prior to returning, Dr. Williams served as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. He is happily married to Sheila and they have 3 daughters, 1 son, and 10 grandchildren. Dr. Williams and his wife are members of Central Baptist Church where they have actively served since 1970.