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Dr. Farid M. Khan is a vitreoretinal surgeon who treats the full range of medical and surgical retina conditions. He cares for patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment, and has a special interest in improving techniques for macular hole repair and complex retinal surgery. His approach blends precise imaging, thoughtful counseling, and coordinated follow-up to protect and restore vision. Dr. Khan earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, completed internship and ophthalmology residency at Tulane University, and pursued fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Before joining Carolina Ophthalmology, he served veterans as a retina specialist at the Omaha VA Medical Center.

Dr. John Bradley Allen is a fellowship-trained retina specialist who cares for patients with both common and complex vitreoretinal conditions. He graduated with highest honors from the University of Georgia with dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology, then earned his medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia. After an internship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, he completed ophthalmology residency and a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at The Ohio State University. Dr. Allen offers comprehensive retina care—from diagnosis and monitoring to advanced procedures such as intravitreal injections, laser therapy, and vitrectomy. He believes the best outcomes come from clear explanations and shared decision-making, and he takes time to tailor each plan to the patient’s goals and lifestyle. He has participated in clinical trials and remains engaged with new therapies that may expand options for people with retinal disease.

Dr. Lekha K. Desai is a vitreoretinal surgeon who cares for the full spectrum of medical and surgical retina conditions. She completed a seven-year combined BS/MD program at The College of New Jersey and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, followed by an internship and ophthalmology residency at Rutgers NJMS. She then pursued fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery at the UC Davis Eye Center, gaining extensive experience in advanced techniques and resident education.At North Carolina Retina Associates, Dr. Desai treats age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears and detachments, macular diseases, and urgent symptoms such as flashes and floaters. She performs vitrectomy, scleral buckle surgery, and intravitreal injections, and is known for a compassionate, relationship-based approach. Dr. Desai has been recognized with honors including the Father O’Reilly Resident Award for Compassion and a Women in Retina travel grant, and she volunteers her skills to care for underserved patients, including work at a charity hospital in southern India.

Dr. Laura L. Snyder is dedicated to building long-term relationships with her patients by ensuring they understand their conditions and feel comfortable with their treatment plans, which she finds incredibly satisfying and enjoyable. Her patient-centered approach is backed by extensive training and recognition, including induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society for exemplary academics and leadership. She completed her ophthalmology residency at the University of Chicago, where she served as Chief Resident, and her vitreoretinal fellowship at Vanderbilt University, where she received the J. Donald M. Gass Award for excellence in patient care. Dr. Snyder is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists, and she has published peer-reviewed research in Retina and OSLI Retina. Her clinical interests include secondary intraocular lenses, macular degeneration, diabetes, retinal vascular occlusions, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, and retinal tears and detachments. Outside of medicine, Dr. Snyder enjoys working on her food blog, exploring hiking trails, practicing yoga, and traveling.

Dr. Duncan Berry is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who specializes in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery. He treats patients across the Charlotte region and focuses on diagnosing and managing retina conditions that can threaten sight, including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and retinal vein occlusion. Dr. Berry earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Davidson College and received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, where he was selected as an anatomy tutor and graduated as a Presidential Scholar. He completed ophthalmology residency at the Duke University Eye Center and then pursued a combined vitreoretinal surgery and medical retina fellowship at Emory University. He has contributed to research through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international ophthalmology meetings, bringing an evidence-informed approach to patient care.

Dr. Kurt T. Scavelli is a retina specialist at North Carolina Retina Associates, caring for patients with medical and surgical conditions of the retina, macula, and vitreous. He believes in compassionate, state-of-the-art treatment and takes time to explain each diagnosis and plan so patients can actively participate in their care. Dr. Scavelli treats age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, and retinal detachments, and also performs secondary intraocular lens implantation when appropriate. Raised in New Jersey, Dr. Scavelli graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University and earned his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University. He completed ophthalmology residency at the Scheie Eye Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Vanderbilt University, where he received honors for excellence in patient care and research. He is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists. Outside the clinic, he enjoys golf, tennis, hiking, and exploring Raleigh.

Dr. Ronald Milam is an ophthalmologist and retina specialist providing eye care in Charlotte, NC and Fort Mill, SC. He specializes in treating medical and surgical retinal diseases including diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular diseases, age-related macular degeneration, retinal detachments, secondary intraocular lens placements, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, intraocular tumors, and uveitis (infections and inflammation of the eye). Dr. Milam graduated from the University of North Carolina with a biology degree and earned his medical degree at UNC School of Medicine. He served as chief intern at John Peter Smith Hospital, then completed residency at Vanderbilt Eye Institute where he was chief resident and received the Benchmark Award for Resident Excellence for two consecutive years. He completed a vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute and was honored as Fellow of the Year. Outside the office, he enjoys traveling with his family, sports, outdoor activities, and community volunteering.

Dr. Kevin James Bray is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in retinal care. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering. Dr. Bray then completed his medical degree at Louisiana State University, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. His postgraduate training included an internship in internal medicine in Louisiana, followed by an ophthalmology residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During his final year of residency, he was selected to serve as Chief Resident. Dr. Bray further honed his expertise through a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at Retina Consultants of Alabama/University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Bray is licensed to practice in North and South Carolina. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retinal Specialists. In his personal time, he enjoys spending moments with his wife, Ericka, and their four sons.

Dr. Steven Ryder is a retina specialist at Horizon Eye Care, practicing since 2017. He provides comprehensive retina and vitreous care, with specialized expertise in diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. Dr. Ryder serves patients across the Charlotte area at multiple office locations. Dr. Ryder completed his undergraduate degree in biology at Boston College and earned his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia. He served his transitional intern year at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Pennsylvania before undertaking his ophthalmology residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell in New York, where he received the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center Alumni Council Distinguished Housestaff Award. He further specialized with a two-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, consistently ranked the top eye hospital in the country. Dr. Ryder is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists. He has authored numerous scientific publications and textbook chapters in ophthalmology and served as a clinical investigator in collaborative trials studying retinal imaging, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited retinal degenerations during his fellowship. In his personal time, he enjoys outdoor activities, running, playing guitar and piano, and singing with his wife and three children.

Dr. Kendall W. Wannamaker Jr. is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous. He cares for patients with common and complex retinal conditions, combining evidence-based treatments with a calm, straightforward style that helps people understand their options and participate in decisions. Dr. Wannamaker trained in internal medicine and ophthalmology before completing a two-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship, experience that prepared him to manage urgent problems such as retinal detachment as well as long-term conditions like diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. He enjoys collaborating with referring eye doctors and primary-care teams to coordinate care and protect vision over the long term. Originally from South Carolina, he sees patients across multiple Carolina Eye Associates locations, making advanced retinal care accessible to communities throughout the Sandhills and beyond. Outside the clinic and operating room, he’s an active contributor to professional meetings and publications and values time with family, travel, and the outdoors.

Dr. Oleg Alekseev is a retinal specialist with a clinical focus on inherited retinal degenerations such as retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, and macular dystrophies. He offers advanced diagnostics—including electrophysiology testing and specialized imaging—and coordinates genetic testing when appropriate. His goal is to provide clear, compassionate guidance on current treatments and clinical trial options while helping patients plan for day-to-day visual needs. In addition to patient care, Dr. Alekseev is active in translational research aimed at preserving photoreceptor function. He brings a careful, data-driven approach to each visit and makes time to answer questions so patients leave with a plan that feels understandable and achievable.

Dr. Eric Weldy is a board-certified ophthalmologist and retina specialist who cares for adults with medical and surgical diseases of the back of the eye. He evaluates people with new visual symptoms such as flashes, floaters, or blurring and provides ongoing care for chronic retinal conditions. His goal is to explain each diagnosis in clear, straightforward language and partner with patients on a treatment plan that fits their lives. Dr. Weldy earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. He completed internship training at Presbyterian–St. Luke’s Medical Center, followed by ophthalmology residency at the University of Colorado. He then pursued fellowship training in retina at the University of Kentucky Hospital, gaining advanced experience in modern imaging, laser, and injection-based therapies. In North Carolina, Dr. Weldy works closely with referring eye doctors and primary-care clinicians to coordinate care. He is committed to providing thoughtful, timely access for people facing urgent or complex retinal problems.

Dr. Ramiro S. Maldonado is an ophthalmologist who cares for children and adults with retinal conditions, with a special focus on genetics and inherited eye disorders. Raised in Ecuador, he was inspired early to pursue research aimed at finding better answers for conditions that have been difficult to treat. In addition to patient care, Dr. Maldonado studies how new DNA variants can cause inherited eye disease. His work includes big-data genetic analysis, developing imaging approaches to improve diagnosis, and collaborating with scientists to understand how abnormal DNA variants affect the eye. He has completed advanced training in medical retina as well as ophthalmic genetics and electrophysiology, and he strives to pair leading-edge science with compassionate, individualized care.

Dr. Henry Holt is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in retinal diseases, with a particular focus on uveitis. He completed his medical education at the University of New Castle upon Tyne in the United Kingdom, followed by a Masters of Research in Ophthalmology at the same university. His training includes a two-year academic internship at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in the UK, ophthalmology training at Darlington Memorial Hospital and Sunderland Eye Infirmary, an internship in internal medicine at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, and an ophthalmology residency at Albany Medical College where he served as chief resident. He further honed his expertise through a two-year vitreoretinal fellowship at Midwest Retina/The Ohio State University, concentrating on medical and surgical retina with an emphasis on uveitis. Dr. Holt is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists. He lives in Wilmington with his wife and two boys, and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and golfing.

Dr. Paula Pecen is a retina specialist serving patients in Greensboro, focusing on conditions affecting the retina, macula, and vitreous. Her expertise includes the medical and surgical treatment of diseases at the back of the eye, such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, macular holes, and epiretinal membranes. Dr. Pecen joined Carolina Eye Associates in 2021. She previously spent four years as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Uveitis Society, the American Society of Retina Specialists, and the Association for Research & Vision in Ophthalmology. She has authored numerous publications and remains involved in national studies and clinical trials.

Dr. Brian Zamora is a vitreoretinal surgeon specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of retinal and vitreous conditions. His expertise includes diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, retinal tears and detachments, macular holes, and epiretinal membranes. He is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art retinal care with a compassionate and patient-centered approach. Dr. Zamora completed his undergraduate degree summa cum laude at the University of Kentucky, followed by a combined M.D./Ph.D. program at West Virginia University where his research focused on embryonic retinal development. He then completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Eye Institute, serving as chief resident and earning the Resident Research and Resident Educator Awards. He further advanced his training with a two-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Zamora is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the NC Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and the American Society of Retina Specialists. Outside of medicine, he enjoys musical performance, golf, hiking, and college sports. He and his wife, Dr. Ellen Zamora, a general dentist, have two young sons.