Our Doctors

Undergraduate Education: THE Ohio State University. Optometry School: THE Ohio State University College of Optometry. Hobbies/Interests: Motorcycles, boating, biking, Ohio State football, Traveling.

Undergraduate Education: The University of Texas at Austin. Optometry School: Southern College of Optometry. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? By providing comprehensive eye exams for adults and children, diabetic eye exams, contact lens fitting, binocular visual dysfunctions, and ocular disease management. listening to patients and helping them get their questions answered and problems with their vision resolved. A thorough eye exam is a valuable gateway to a comprehensive health evaluation. Hobbies/Interests: Golf, Time with family and friends.

Undergraduate Education: Cornell University, BA. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, 2001. Professional Achievements and Associations: American Optometric Association, Virginia Optometric Association. The reason I became an optometrist is: I started wearing glasses in sixth grade and it made such a positive impact for me that I wanted to be able to bring that same experience to other people. My favorite part of helping my patients is: The first time a young person puts on glasses or contacts and says, "Wow!" After twenty years in practice that still gives me a thrill. In my spare time, I enjoy: I like to cook (and eat!) and travel (and eat!) I have 11-year-old twins so "spare time" is not really an accurate term.

Undergraduate Education: Grand Rapids Community College & Michigan State University. Optometry School: Michigan College of Optometry. Professional Achievements/Associations: WMOA, MOA, AOA. How are you helping patients live their best lives? I like making people aware of different ways of correcting their vision, ways they may have never known existed. Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family and traveling to new places.

Dr. Divya Bhakta received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at The University of Georgia. She earned her Doctorate of Optometry from The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, where she was a member of Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society. Dr. Bhakta has received excellent training from her mentors and has specialized training in contact lenses, low vision rehabilitation, pediatrics, refractive and cataract surgery co-management, and ocular disease. She has also participated in various community service activities and has provided free vision care for low-income patients. She is currently an active member of the American Optometric Association as well as the Georgia Optometric Association. In her spare time, Dr. Bhakta enjoys traveling, photography, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two daughters. She looks forward to providing you and your family with comprehensive vision care.

Dr. Punit Bhakta provides comprehensive vision care including routine exams and the treatment of various types of eye disease. He is currently a member of the American Optometric Association and the Georgia Optometric Association. Dr. Bhakta grew up in Biloxi, Mississippi. He graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from THE University of Georgia. He earned his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Optometry. Dr. Bhakta completed a Residency in Ocular Disease and Refractive surgery with Woolfson Eye Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, where he learned to diagnose and treat rare forms of eye disease in one of the premier ophthalmology clinics in the southeast. In his free time, Dr. Bhakta enjoys rooting for the DAWGS each fall during college football season, playing golf, and enjoying different types of food. He currently resides in Smryna, with his wife Divya and daughters Nyla and Liya.

Hi! My name is Dr. Shagufta Bi Bi. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biology at McMaster University and my Doctor of Optometry degree at the New England College of Optometry. I completed my residency in Primary Care with Emphasis in Ocular Disease at Nova Southeastern University. In my free time, I love hiking, watching reality TV, and doing pilates!

Dr. Bickel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences from Indiana State University and attended the recognized Illinois College of Optometry where she received her Doctorate of Optometry. Dr. Bickel is a member of the Mortar Board and the Order of Mega Honor Societies. Before entering Optometry school, she worked as an Optician/Technician. It was there that she found a love for patient care and Optometry. Dr. Bickel practices primary care optometry with interests in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eye disease, pediatrics, and contact lenses. In her free time, Dr. Bickel, a graduate of Noblesville High School, enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.  Dr. Bickel has been married to her husband, Brian, since 2005. They reside in Fishers and have three children: Collin, Keaton and Cole. In her spare time, Dr. Bickel enjoys watching sports especially youth baseball, youth softball, Cubs baseball and Colts football and reading.

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Steven Bilon is a Charlotte eye doctor that you can trust. He has practiced in Charlotte since his graduation from Ohio State University in 1984. Dr. Bilon is a member of the American Optometric Association and the North Carolina State Optometric Society. He provides top level diagnostic and treatment using the latest in state-of-the-art technology. Dr. Bilon enjoys biking, golfing, softball, camping, growing roses, and is an ex-triathlete. He is married to his wife Susan and has a daughter Brittain and a son Ross. He and his family attend Providence United Methodist Church.

Undergraduate Education: University of Toledo; Optometry School: The Ohio State University College of Optometry; Clinical Certifications & Specialties: General Care; What does providing a transformational eyecare experience mean to you? Ensuring the happiness and satisfaction of all patients.

Dr. Birdsong grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and since the young age of 12 the field of Optometry has held a place in her heart. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State University and went on to pursue her dream at Indiana University School of Optometry. She now returns to her hometown with an intense desire to serve her community. During her academic career she was a member of the American Optometric Student Association along with its Sports Vision Sector, the National Optometric Student Association, and was a representative of Indiana University Professional Student Organization. Dr. Birdsong has had extensive externship experiences which provided her with much knowledge in full-scope optometry. Her externships emphasized pediatrics, geriatrics, low vision, vision therapy, post-operative care, cataract evaluations, and contact lenses. If you have keratoconus, Dr. Birdsong is the specialist you will need to see at Eyeworks. She also performed many ocular disease co-management exams at Omni Medical center right here in Atlanta. Dr. Birdsong also had the privilege of providing care to veteran patients at a Neuro-psychiatric Veteran Hospital located in Maryland, where ocular disease and emergencies were handled on-site. She plans to bring all these skills, great service, and quality eye care to every patient she serves. Dr. Birdsong has a strong fondness for Geriatric and Pediatric Optometry, Ocular disease, Sports Vision, Optometry Associated Mission Work, and Contact Lenses with an emphasis on Bi-focal contacts. She loves taking the time to understand her patient’s ocular needs as well as their wants and is happy to offer knowledge of the field to everyone she serves. She feels patient education is essential to quality care, and she continues to expand her optometric education to fulfill this belief. Outside of the clinic she enjoys writing, movies, travel, and just spending good quality time with friends and family.

Dr. Birtwhistle is a graduate of DePauw University, with a BA in Biology. He then completed an MBA at Indiana Wesleyan University, and graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Optometry. He is a past president of the Central Indiana Optometric Society, and enjoys working with people from all walks of life. He especially enjoys working with specialty contact lenses to help with vision improvement with disease and in helping with Ortho-K lenses to aid in the slowing of myopia. Outside of work, Dr. Birtwhistle enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, playing music, and cooking.

Undergraduate Education: Albright College, Reading, PA, BS Biology. Optometry School: Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA, BS Visual Sciences, OD Doctorate in Optometry. Certifications/Awards: Tri-Beta Biological Honor Society; Clinical Honors in Ocular Disease, Primary Care, Low Vision, and Pediatrics Externships; member of Scleral Lens Educational Society, Virginia Optometric Society, and American Optometric Society; past co-director of Dry Eye Center of Excellence. How are you impacting your local community or helping your patients live their best lives? I take great pride in providing eye exams with compassion, empathy, and kindness while improving overall eye health and wellness. In past years, I have mentored pre-optometry students, organized, and provided eye health screenings to a local preschool, and assisted Lion’s Club members with local school vision screenings. Hobbies/Interests: wake surfing, hiking, and golfing; author and illustrator of two children’s books.

Graduated from Stephen F. Austin University in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Biology. Received Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 1990. Dr. Black has been in practice since 1990 providing comprehensive eye care to the people of Richardson and the surrounding areas.

Undergraduate Education: Clemson Univ. BS Zoology. Optometry School: The Medical Center, Univ. of Alabama in Birmingham, O.D. degree, 1985. Professional Achievements and Associations: South Carolina and North Carolina Board licensed, American Optometric Association, South Carolina Optometric Physician Association (former Executive Council member), Catawba Optometric Society (former President), American Board of Optometry Diplomat, President of Blackwell Eye Associates, PA (1987-2014), Rock Hill School Board of Trustees (elected to in 1994 and 1998), S.C. State Board of Education (2007-2011), York County (SC) Council (elected to and served from 2011 to 2021, 8 years as Council Chairman), First Chairman I-77 Alliance, former Chairman RFATS. Clinical Certifications and Specialties: ABO Diplomat, NC and SC Board of Optometry Licenses, primary eye care, eye disease/injury, contact lenses, Lasik, and cataract surgery pre op and post op care. The reason I became an optometrist is: To be a doctor and help people. My favorite part of helping my patients is: providing resolution to any vision or eye problem the patient has and providing comfort and peace of mind. In my spare time, I enjoy: Hunting, Coastal jet ski trips, traveling.

Undergraduate Education: Troy University; Troy, AL---BS Mathematics Optometry School: UAB School of Optometry; Birmingham, AL Hobbies/Interests: Traveling around the world, playing with my miniature schnauzer Jaxton, going to Broadway shows and spending time with my family.