About Us

Our People

Dr. James D. Dillard

Dr. Dillard has been practicing in his 511 Gaines School Road location in Athens, Georgia for over 34 years. This Athens eye doctor began his practice in 1973 at 130 West Hancock Avenue dowtown Athens, purchasing a practice that had existed since 1937 from Dr. Walker H. Matthews.  His experience and caring manner means you won't ever feel rushed through an eye exam or feel like a just another patient. He takes time to explain procedures and offer you his best advice on caring for your eyes.

• 1964 Graduate, Griffin High School, Griffin, Ga.
• 1965 - 1971 University Of Houston
  
  • Bachelor of Science, Optometry - 1969
  • Doctor of Optometry (OD) - 1971
    
  • Bausch & Lomb "Outstanding Third Year Student" - 1968
  • Phi Theta Upsilon
    
    • Member, 1968 - 1971
      
    • President, 1969 - 1970
      
• Captain, US Army 1971 - 1977
  • Chief, Optometry Clinic, McAfee Army Hospital, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico 1972 - 1973
• Private Practice Optometrist - Athens, Ga. 1973 - Present
• Athens Rotary Club 1974 - Present (Double Paul Harris Fellow - Sapphire Level)
  
• Athens - Clarke County Planning Commission 1978 - 1983
  
• Member, Georgia Optometric Association (GOA) 1973 - present
  
  • Past President Ga. Opt. Assn. 10th District
  • GOA 10th District Trustee - 18 years
• Member, Business Networking International 2004 - Present
  
  • Athens Referral Factory 2004 - Present
  • Secretary / Treasurer 2004 - 2005
    
  • Vice President - 2005
  • President Athens Referral Factory 2005 - 2006
  • Education Chairman 2007 - 2008
• Charter Member, "KANGS" - Team JoJo
• Staff Optometrist, University of Georgia Vision Clinic 2009 - 2010

Chris Eddings, Optician

Chris has 40+ years of experience and stays up on new trends through detail reps and her many young friends. People actually come from out of state to have Chris style, fit and make their glasses.  Chris retired in 2009 and gave control to Ryan Dillard who had been apprenticing in opticianry under Chris' capable hands. 

Joyce McLaughlin, Office Manager

Joyce has been filing insurance and confirming benefits for 20+ years and gets to the final word with the proper professional at the insurance company when there is a question. If you have any questions about your billing or insurance, she will be happy to help.

Ryan Dillard, Ophthalmic Technician

For three years, Ryan worked with Chris Eddings, the office's optician learning everything he possibly could on how to custom fit all differently shaped faces so their glasses not only look good but allow the best possible vision.  He does not use the 'Pic-N-Pay' technique used by so many chains.  Each patient is shown frames which compliment the patient's face because how patients look in their frame reflects back on our practice. 

Our Facilities

Advanced Technology

Being friendly and working with each patient on a personal level, doesn't mean we are behind the times on technology. We have some of the most advanced equipment for diagnosing problems and analyzing your eyes. Featured here is a "fundus camera" which takes documentary photos of the back of your eyes when necessary.   Our other instrumentation includes computerized visual fields using the Welch-Allen/Humphrey Matrix Frequency Doubling Visual Field which can detect vision already lost from Glaucoma, Diabetes, Systemic Hypertension, or Optic Nerve disease.  Also used to detect eye health problems is the Heidelberg Retinal Tomogram (HRT3), a computerized CT(cat scan) for the probability factor of patients' Optic Nerve damage causing visual loss in the future.

Ample Parking

Our large parking lot means you'll never have to worry about finding a space at the last minute or parking too far from the building. For those with disabilities or difficulty walking, the ease of parking and access to the building can be important. It is for these reasons that Dr. Dillard's office has an easily accessible wheel chair ramp into the main entrance.

Waiting Area

Tired of crowded waiting rooms? Our waiting area is never crowded because Dr. Dillard does not over-book his schedule. The entrance area is clean, comfortable and stocked with plenty of current magazines to keep you occupied should you have to wait for your appointment.