Welcome to North Georgia Eye Associates

Your Vision
‍Is our Focus

North Georgia Eye Associates has 100 years of combined Excellence in Eye Care. Our long tradition of excellence in providing complete medical and surgical eye care and vision exams. We have built our reputation on deep expertise and caring service.

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6 Convenient Locations

Six convenient locations serving North Georgia and the surrounding areas for a combined 100+ years, making us the largest ophthalmology practice in North Georgia. Our facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to perform a wide range of corrective procedures.

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Featured Services

Cataracts

Cosmetic & Oculoplastics

LASIK

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For Patients

Your journey to better health just got smoother. Our patient-focused site offers:

For Doctors

Streamline your patient referrals and learn more about working with North Georgia Eye Associates

Welcome to North Georgia Eye Associates

North Georgia Eye Associates has a deep expertise in caring for patients. We offer our patients the full range of vision improvement options, including laser vision correction surgery, cataract surgery, eye condition treatment, eye exams and complete optical shop. Our goal is to create the top ophthalmology-focused vision platform in Georgia. We aim to grow naturally and bring together respected ophthalmology groups known for their excellent clinical and surgical eye care.

Outcomes

Many of our highly qualified and experienced Board Certified Ophthalmologists are repeatedly recognized as Castle Connolly and Atlanta Magazine Top Doctors.

Experience

With over 100 years of combined Excellence in Eye Care. Our reputation was built on our deep expertise and caring service.

Technology

North Georgia Eye Associates was the first eye care facility in Northeast Georgia to introduce the breakthrough bladeless laser cataract surgery, and was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers in 2022.

Patient Care

“From the moment I walked onto the office I was treated like the most important patient of the day!! Staff is amazing. Very professional and polite…” - Dee

Our Services

Cataracts

LAL

Comprehensive Eye Care

Cosmetic & Oculoplastics

Glaucoma

LASIK

Optical & Contact Lenses

Retina

Diagnosis & Treatment

Laser Cataract Surgery

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s lens. Caused by the clumping of protein in the lens, cataracts cause blurry vision and may continue to grow until treated or removed. Common treatment methods include stronger eyeglass prescriptions or the surgical removal of the cataract with intraocular lens implantation.

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Cataract Self-Test

Surgical & Non-Surgical

Cosmetic & Oculoplastic Services

North Georgia Eye Associates offers the latest in surgical and non-surgical treatments to help you look and feel your very best, including skincare products, injectables, non-injectables and laser treatments. Oculoplastic procedures combine the accuracy and precision found in ophthalmic surgeries with the aesthetic foundations of plastic surgery.

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Advanced Technology

LASIK

Laser-assisted in-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is an FDA-approved vision correction procedure that corrects refractive errors. These include nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. It is performed on nearly 1 million patients annually to help reduce dependency on visual aids and provide visual freedom. LASIK works because it permanently reshapes the cornea using an excimer and femtosecond laser.

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LASIK Self-Test

Meet Our Doctors

Jack M. Chapman
M.D.

Dr. Chapman’s primary areas of focus are cataract refractive surgery, laser cataract surgery and treatment for eye conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, astigmatism, dry eye, glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.

Matthew B. Kaufman
M.D.

Matthew B. Kaufman, M.D., a leading ophthalmologist in Northern Georgia, is the director of refractive surgery at North Georgia Eye Clinic.

Clayton G. Blehm
M.D.

Dr. Blehm was among the first in Georgia to perform laser cataract surgery and has taught this technique to surgeons across the country.

Lori C. Lebow
M.D.

A board-certified ophthalmologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Dr. Lebow has done research for both the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and Harvard Medical School’s Joslin Diabetes Institute.

Matthew W. Hollar
M.D.

Dr. Hollar is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He holds a hospital appointment at North Georgia Medical Center and is a member of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Medical Association.

Bhairavi Dholakia
M.D.

Dr. Dholakia is a board certified ophthalmologist with extensive clinical and surgical experience in the field of corneal disorders, cataract surgery, and refractive surgery.

Zach R. Balest
M.D.

Dr. Balest’s professional interests include cataract surgery with premium lens options, medical and surgical management of glaucoma, diabetic eye care and eyelid rejuvenation.

Brent Hayek
M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Hayek’s research interests involve improvements and innovative drug therapy for thyroid eye disease, as well as more predictable facial fat transfer techniques for peri-orbital rejuvenation.

Mark M. Novotny
O.D.

Dr. Novotny has a wide range of experience in the field of optometry and specialized in contact lens fittings and general eye exams. Prior to his current position with North Georgia Eye Clinic, Dr. Novotny spent two years working for Envision Eyecare in Clearwater, Florida.

Elizabeth F. Ellison
O.D.

Dr. Ellison’s professional interests include dry eye disease and fitting specialty lenses.

Stephen S. Ellison
O.D.

Dr. Ellison’s professional interests include dry eye disease and fitting specialty contact lenses.

Jason Gabrels
O.D.

Dr. Jason Gabrels grew up in Norcross, Georgia. Graduating from Norcross High School. He went on to the University of Richmond where he graduated with honors. He earned his doctorate of optometry at the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN.

Julie Pan
O.D.

Dr. Xiaowen (Julie) Pan is a highly skilled optometrist with a passion for delivering exceptional eye care. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Emory University and graduated with honors from Southern College of Optometry in 2022.

Philip Shaffer
O.D.

Dr. Philip Shaffer is a fellowship-trained optometrist who specializes in medical and comprehensive eye care including the diagnosis and management of diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, anterior segment disorders and the fitting of contact lenses.

Jeffrey Crowder
M.D.

Dr. Jeffrey Crowder is a board-certified comprehensive ophthalmologist who specializes in premium cataract surgery.

Sheetal M. Shah
M.D.

Dr. Sheetal M. Shah, a board certified Ophthalmologist, attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York graduating with honors in biological sciences and applied economics and management and then received her medical degree from SUNY Downstate Medical College in Brooklyn, NY.

Somi Kwon
O.D.

Dr. Somi Kwon is an experienced optometrist with a commitment to delivering top-quality eye care across all age groups, from pediatric to geriatric patients.

John Thomas
M.D.

With nearly 20 years’ experience, Dr. Thomas is a leader in the field of vitreoretinal disease and surgery. Dr. Thomas has extensive skill in managing severe diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and other retinal disorders.

Christina Weeks
M.D.

Dr. Weeks specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus (improper ocular alignment) at the North Georgia Eye Clinic and has broad experience treating children.

What Our Patients Say

"North Georgia Eye Associates has given me a great experience each time I go there. Dr. Kaufman is patient, knowledgeable and makes sure his patients understand everything that is going on. The office staff are always friendly and helpful. The equipment they use is all state of the art and that is what is needed for great eye care. Thank you for having this business in our community!"

Hastin

" The staff is AMAZING. The environment is very calm. The office is very clean. Jaimie is very helpful and knowledgeable. Thank you all for great hospitality and making my visits great!!"

Latika

"The office staff is efficient, courteous and professional. Dr. Blehm is an excellent ophthalmologist. I have been a patient for several years for diabetes-related consults, routine eye exams, cataract surgery and eye sensitivity with environmental allergies. His “bedside manner” is perfect. He is warm, friendly, sincere - but is always prompt and efficient, too."

Marsha

"I’ve been a Patient of Dr Jack Chapman at North Georgia Eye Associates for 10 or more years and have always been given the best Treatment available in a friendly and comfortable manner! Dr Chapman Himself is an outstanding Physician and has a great “Bedside” manner! I highly recommend North Georgia Eye Associates to anyone needing an Ophthalmologist or Service."

Hank

"Dr. Hayek and his staff were amazing. The process before, during and after the procedure were exactly as he explained. He and the staff were very professional yet personable, the office and surgery center were spotless. Should I ever need services such as Dr. Hayek offers I would most definitely call him first. We are blessed in Gainesville Georgia to have professionals of his caliber. Would recommend him with absolutely no hesitation."