Where Vision Care Began—Wilmington Eye’s Main Location

It has always been our mission to offer accessible and quality ophthalmic care to the Wilmington area, and it all began here at our main office. Located on New Hanover Medical Park Drive, our office is situated just a block away from Wilmington Eye Surgery Center and a short drive from Novant Hospital. If you value exceptional vision care and live in the Wilmington area, chances are you have been to the Wilmington Eye main office!

Open since 1975, what began as a practice specializing in cataract surgical care has grown to become Wilmington’s largest and most comprehensive ophthalmology practice today, with more than 9 sub-specialties. At Wilmington Eye’s main location we offer surgical ophthalmic care, both comprehensive and routine eye exams, as well as diagnosis, management, and surgical treatment of the full range of eye conditions.

Including over twenty-seven active exam rooms, the building is comprised of two levels, including a handicap accessible elevator leading to the second floor, where the city’s only pediatric ophthalmologist sees patients ranging from 0 to 12 years.

On the main floor, you’ll find our full-scale optical shop in addition to The LASIK Center, where hundreds of patients have left with 20/20 vision! Our main office on New Hanover Medical Park Drive is also the only location to offer evening and weekend appointments for your vision care.

Specialties at Wilmington

Eye Care Providers in Wilmington

Our team of eye care providers at Wilmington Eye’s main office includes ophthalmic surgeons, the area’s only pediatric ophthalmologist, an osteopathic physician, experienced optometrists, licensed opticians, and skilled technicians—working together to address every aspect of your vision.

Our Wilmington team of board-certified ophthalmic surgeons includes Dr. Kathleen Leone, Dr. Matej Polomsky, Dr. Christopher Covington, Dr. Melissa Shipley, Dr. Robert van der Vaart, Dr. Samantha Watson, and Dr. Clark Springs. The Wilmington Eye LASIK team is comprised of Dr. Leone, Dr. Polomsky, Dr. Covington, and Dr. Springs. Minimally invasive glaucoma procedures are offered by Dr. van der Vaart, Dr. Watson, and Dr. Polomsky. Our resident cornea specialist is Dr. Springs, and Dr. Covington is our resident osteopath. Dr. Covington brings a holistic approach to surgical ophthalmology with a special interest in multi-focal cataracts lenses. Patients can also be seen by Dr. Kathleen Leone for cosmetic procedures like Botox or Dysport and dermal fillers for both medical and cosmetic benefits, as well as doctor-recommended skincare solutions like Obagi medical.

Wilmington Eye is also proud to work with the area’s only pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Melissa Shipley. Dr. Shipley provides medical and surgical care for conditions such as lazy eye (amblyopia), ocular misalignment (strabismus) for children and adults alike, in addition to various other pediatric eye conditions. Each surgeon brings unparalleled experience to the practice, providing world-class healthcare to each and every patient.

Wilmington Eye’s main location is also home to some of the area’s most skilled optometrists, providing comprehensive eye exams along with routine and preventative eye care. Our team of experienced eye doctors includes Dr. Amanda Britt Baden, Dr. Hilary Cox, Dr. Chad Tisdale, Dr. Erin Fuchs, Dr. Alexandra Buckley, and Dr. Richard Ayuso. Our most tenured optometrist, Dr. Baden, has been providing eye care at Wilmington Eye ever since 2010, when she became the very first optometrist to join the practice. Our team of skilled providers can help with conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and more. Do you have an upcoming eye surgery such as LASIK or a cataract procedures? You will likely see one of our optometrists for your pre- and post-surgical care.

Our eye doctors can also prescribe contact lenses and glasses for those diagnosed with myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, or presbyopia. Patients can conveniently fill their eyewear prescriptions after their appointments within our full-service optical shop on the first level. Our Director of Optical Services, Joanne Harris, oversees the operations of all seven Wilmington Eye optical shops. Visit us today to meet our team of licensed opticians and try on a variety of glasses here at our main office. Here you’ll find the largest eyewear inventory of any Wilmington Eye location, offering a range of options from budget-friendly to designer.

Team at Wilmington

Directions to the Wilmington Eye Main Office

Located within the heart of Wilmington’s medical community, you’ll find us within walking distance of Novant Hospital among the numerous other medical practices within the area. Wilmington Eye on New Hanover Medical Park Drive is situated just off of 17th street, beyond the hospital if you’re heading west towards downtown Wilmington, turning right onto New Hanover Medical Park Drive. If you’re coming from Downtown Wilmington or Leland, you’ll travel east and eventually turn left onto New Hanover Medical Park Drive before the hospital.

FAQs

Hear from our Wilmington patients

01/06
  • "Wilmington Eye at 1729 New Hanover Medical Park Dr., Wilmington, NC is so awesome. I saw Dr Kathleen Leone who did my cataract surgery in 2021. Everyone at this location is so kind and caring. This is a wonderful office and excellent staff. "
    Harriet C.| Wilmington Patient
  • "My Eyelid surgery was done by Dr Oester. Outstanding and professional care from start to finish. Highly recommend him and the folks at Wilmington Eye. Especially the group located at New Hanover Medical Park Dr. ☺️☺️ "
    Donna M.| Wilmington Patient
  • "Really love this place they have great solid selection of eyewear for everyone. They have big name brands like Costa, Rayban, and Tom Ford just to name a few. My old prescription was still good so I decided to purchase some really nice Gucci’s with no fuss."
    David R.| Wilmington Patient
  • "Very attentive, took care of all my concerns and answered all questions I'd had. I love this location! My son comes here also! We've never had a complaint! He gets very anxious at doctors and they always do very well with him also!! Would highly recommend!!"
    Brittany J.| Wilmington Patient
  • "Full service location. I was very happy with the facilities and staff. Every one was kind and professional."
    Pamela B.| Wilmington Patient
  • "Excellent care and location."
    Tom C.| Wilmington Patient
  • "This office has their ducks in a row and runs very smoothly. They are very efficient and also very thorough. Dr Cox is amazing, she has helped my daughter improve her vision and continues to maintain her progress. If it was not for her knowledge and expertise my daughter could have completely lost her vision in that eye."
    Winnie J.| Wilmington Patient
  • "I honestly cannot say enough. If you are at all interested in LASIK in the Wilmington area this is the place to go. I recently had LASIK surgery performed by Dr. Covington and I am beyond astonished by my results. I have been in glasses/contacts since 6th grade and I am now free from both."
    Chandler N.| Wilmington Patient
  • Want to hear more stories from our patients?


    View All Stories