General Practitioners

• Primary Care
  If an insurance referral is required, the patients primary care physician (PCP), which is listed on the card, must issue the referral prior to the patients appointment.
• Family Practice
  Professional: Dr. Calderon is a Retina surgeon who is board certified in Ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology, is a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists and has completed a two-year Retina fellowship for advanced training in the diagnosis, treatment and surgery of the retina and vitreous. Prior to joining Metrolina Eye Associates he founded Retina of Austin, PA in Austin Texas. A referral only retina practice where he worked in conjunction with the referring physician(s) or optometrist to provide the highest quality retina and eye care to patients.  After completing his Retina Surgery Fellowship in Cleveland OH he worked in the Ophthalmology division at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia. A level I (one) trauma center that was the recipient of the Malcolm Baldridge Award of 2015 and is an affiliated teaching institution of West Virginia University School of Medicine. There he was involved in managing retinal detachments and complex ocular trauma cases in adults and children. He was also involved in resident education at the WVU School of Medicine Family Medicine program. He has served as a subclinical Investigator for several nationally recognized clinical research studies involving novel pharmacological therapies for wet Age related macular degeneration and Diabetic macular edema during his training at the University of Texas at Houston Department of Ophthalmology.
• Emergency Care
  Source: https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises. When you get emergency care or get treated by an out-of-network provider you are protected from surprise billing or balance billing.

Ophthalmologists

• Glaucoma
  Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 years old. It is a disease of the optic nerve. The nerve is damaged over time due to elevated eye pressure. The nerve is made up of multiple fibers that carry signals from the eye directly to the brain. Damage to these fibers within the eye is permanent and cannot be reversed. The nerve fibers that carry peripheral vision are the first to be injured, thus patient will not likely notice early changes. By examining the eye, checking the eye pressure, and performing tests, the ophthalmologist can determine the extent of damage to the nerve.
• Ophthalmology
  Professional: Dr. Leone is board-certified in Optometry and has completed an Ocular Disease Residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. While at the University of Virginia, she was part of the Pre-Optometry club and worked in the UVA Health System in the Ophthalmology department. Dr. Leone has also spent time working as an Ophthalmic testing technician in Virginia.
• Macular Degeneration
  Macular degeneration causes damage to the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina. The macula is made up of “millions of light sensing cells” that carry the information we see from the eye to the brain, translating them into the images we see. The reason why this disease is so insidious is due to the fact that it attacks these cells and if it advances, it can cause central blindness.
• Laser Eye Surgery
  At Metrolina Eye Associates, we don’t take the “factory” approach that so many patients encounter at other LASIK centers. Because all of our doctors have undergone laser vision correction themselves, they understand what it’s like to be the patient. Our doctors believe in taking a personal approach with each patient. We believe in being convenient, available, and straightforward with our patients.
• Cataracts
  This is the first time in medical history where cataract patients now have the unique ability to ADJUST & PREVIEW their vision until it meets their personal needs and lifestyle requirements. Once a patient is fully satisfied with their custom vision, it can be permanently locked in.
• Cataract Surgery
  Currently, patients who are not receiving an LAL lens cannot ‘trial’ their vision to determine how well they will see under various light conditions, work environments or conducting their normal daily activities. Until now, patients undergoing lens replacement procedures like Refractive Lens Exchange or cataract surgery were given off-the-shelf intraocular lenses (IOL) based on pre-operative measurements and predictions.
• Eye Exam
  If you would like to learn more about IPL for the treatment of dry eye, you can schedule an eye exam with one of our experienced eye doctors. If you live in Uptown Charlotte, contact our local eye care center by calling (704) 334-2020. For patients near UNC Charlotte, contact our University office by calling (704) 547-8730. If you live in the Matthews or Stallings area, call our local office it (704) 234-1930. If you are in the Monroe area, contact us at (704) 289-5455. For our South Carolina patients, we have two locations available. Contact our Rock Hill eye care center at (803) 324-4258 or our Indian Land location by calling (803) 547-3937.

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  Education: Dr. Mac received his undergraduate training at Boston University where he double majored in Biology and Economics. He did his medical training at Wake Forest University where he was one of only 2 students selected into the prestigious dual MD/MBA degree. Dr. Mac then completed his internship in Internal Medicine followed by 3 years of Ophthalmology residency at the University of Louisville.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Thyroid
• Diabetic Retinopathy
  The retina is the sensory layer lining the inside of the eye that can be compared to “the film in a camera”. Diabetic retinopathy is used to describe changes in the retina associated with diabetes. If untreated it can lead to irreversible vision loss, however if discovered early it can be treated with laser to protect the vision. At Metrolina Eye Associates our physicians are very experienced at detecting and treating diabetic retinopathy.

Radiologist

• Ultrasound
  In traditional cataract surgery, two small incisions are made on the side of the eye, and an ultrasound device is used to break up the cataract into small pieces, which are then washed out of the eye. With laser cataract surgery, the eye incisions are made painlessly, and the cataract is broken up using a computer-guided laser. Once the cataract is removed, the doctor places the lens implant into the eye.
• Radiology
  When you get services from an in-network hospital or ambulatory surgical center, certain providers there may be out-of-network. In these cases, the most those providers may bill you is your plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount. This applies to emergency medicine, anesthesia, pathology, radiology, laboratory, neonatology, assistant surgeon, hospitalist, or intensivist services. These providers can’t balance bill you and may not ask you to give up your protections not to be balance billed.

Surgeons

• Reconstructive Surgery
  Choose a surgeon who has experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. While many patients present solely for cosmetic reasons, it is important to make sure that your surgeon also has extensive experience in reconstructive surgery. It is true that most aesthetic procedures go as planned and patients experience an excellent result as they heal, but sometimes revisions are necessary and this is where a reconstructive background is key. In fact, the best oculoplastic surgeons serve as resources in the community for reconstruction following unexpected surgical results.

Plastic Surgeons

• Botox
  Choose an eyelid surgeon who has more to offer than just surgery. You may be a better candidate for non-surgical procedures or you may want to return for further treatments with Botox and dermal fillers like Juvederm, Radiesse, etc. to continue the maintenance treatments necessary to achieve the results you desire. Your surgeon should be looking at your eyes and face with a broad set of skills from which to draw in order to help you achieve your goals. Each patient is an individual, so there should not be a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Brow Lift
  Sagging or drooping brows can make us appear angry, sad or tired. With brow lifting, forehead creases are smoothed and the brow line is moved to a higher position for a more youthful appearance. Brow lift is often an important component of blepharoplasty surgery, and Dr. Annunziata frequently combines the two in order to produce a more complete, natural rejuvenation of the eyes and surrounding tissue.
• Eyelid Surgery
  Eyelid surgery corrects these problems by removing excess, loose skin from the eyelids. Eyelid surgery can be performed on upper eyelids, lower eyelids or both. To discuss your expectations and goals with regard to eyelid surgery, contact our eye specialists at Metrolina Eye Associates.
• Breast Augmentation
  General plastic surgeons also undergo specialized training, and many of them perform eyelid surgery. However, most general plastic surgeons concentrate all over the body and perform other procedures such as breast augmentation or body lifts. Facial or eyelid procedures may not be a particular concentration of a general plastic surgeon, and they may not perform as many of these procedures in a year as a consequence.
• Plastic Surgery
  At Metrolina Eye Associates, we believe facial rejuvenation should only be carried out by the most skilled and experienced of surgeons. Dr. Christine Annunziata is a highly sought-after oculoplastic surgeon known for her specialized surgical training and compassionate approach to patient care. She is highly trained and experienced in eyelid and facial plastic surgery, focusing solely on these areas in her practice. Dr. Annunziata combines her expertise with advanced surgical techniques and technology to produce excellent and lasting surgical and aesthetic outcomes her patients can enjoy.
• Face Lift
  Patients may know this procedure by other branding names (such as quicklift, lifestyle lift, and the like), but they all represent a variation of traditional facelift involving smaller incisions to remove excess, sagging skin and tighten the remaining skin.  Face-lifting can improve a sagging jaw line, sharpen the neck line and refresh the overall facial appearance. Dr. Annunziata’s minimally invasive facelift technique provides a natural, more refreshed look with less downtime and fewer risks while reducing the telltale signs of a surgical or over-pulled look.
• Blepharoplasty
  The eyes are the most important feature of facial expression. They help communicate mood, attention, and interest to those around us. Sagging of the tissues around the eyes and changes in volume to the eye socket can make a person appear older or more tired than they feel. Dr. Annunziata can perform blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift surgery, to improve the appearance of drooping upper eyelids, puffy lower eyelids or both for more vibrant, younger-looking eyes. Dr. Annunziata uses her considerable experience with this procedure to provide individualized, natural, safe, and long-lasting results in a low-stress, relaxed environment.
• Lip Augmentation
  Cosmetic injectables such as Restylane and Juvederm are used to plump lips that are naturally thin or that have lost volume over time. The result is fuller, more youthful looking lips.
• Cosmetic Surgery
  The decision to undergo facial cosmetic surgery can bring about a range of emotions. Rejuvenating the facial appearance, whether it be through fuller cheeks, younger-looking eyes or a smooth, wrinkle-free complexion, can be an exciting prospect. On the other hand, the thought of undergoing surgery and entrusting someone with something as delicate as your face can be intimidating.

Dermatologists

• Skin Cancer
• Lesions
  Professional: Kasey has trained extensively with Dr. Annunziata in the field of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery and officially joined Metrolina Eye Associates in March 2015. She is able to perform many of our in-office procedures including lid lesions excisions, stye removals, laser and skin treatments, and suturing of eyelid lacerations. She is also able to evaluate and treat many general ophthalmic conditions such as dry eye, tearing, eye irritation, conjunctivitis, allergy and foreign bodies.
• Skin Care
  Oculoplastic surgeons, such as Dr. Christine Annunziata with Metrolina Eye Associates, typically undertake 6-7 years of surgical training after medical school to become specialists in eyelid surgery. Those, like Dr. Annunziata, who go on to the 7th year, generally have additional advanced training in cosmetic procedures of the face, including upper and lower face-lifting, fat transfer, and non-surgical procedures such as skin care, laser treatments, and injectables. An oculoplastic surgeon typically completes thousands of eyelid surgeries just in their training years alone, and since their practice typically concentrates only on the eyelids and face, they perform thousands more each year that they are in practice.