Physicians in North Carolina

Dr. Eric M. Burns graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. Following his graduation, Dr. Burns attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Visual Science and Doctorate of Optometry, receiving the Clinical Excellence Award in Primary Care.

Dr. Burns remains active with the Albemarle Regional Health Board, where he participates in community eye screenings and eye care. Dr. Burns specializes in comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fitting and dispensing, and diagnosing and treating eye diseases such as glaucoma and diabetes. Dr. Burns has practiced optometry at Albemarle Eye Center since 2003.

Dr. Burns, his wife, Jovan, and 6 children enjoy their time with family, church, and traveling.

Location served: Elizabeth City

Dr. Katie C. Hickman attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in biology. Following her graduation from the University of Alabama with honors, she received her Doctorate of Optometry degree from the Birmingham School of Optometry.

Dr. Hickman then returned to her native state of North Carolina where currently practices full scope optometry. Some of her specialties include: 

• Pediatric eye care
• Primary eye care
• Medical treatment of eye disease
• Pre- and post-operative eye care management

Dr. Hickman is a member of several well-known professional organizations, including the American Optometric Association, the North Carolina State Optometric Society, and the Washington Lions Club.

Dr. Hickman currently resides in Bath, North Carolina, with her husband, Luke, and daughter, Peyton. In her free time, Dr. Hickman enjoys boating, water sports, and all the fantastic outdoor activities that the Inner Banks of North Carolina have to offer.

Location served: Kinston & Washington

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Dr. Tim Klugh is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and attended Wake Forest University on a full athletic football scholarship. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. He later received his Doctor of Optometry Degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Dr. Klugh is always accepting new patients and treats and manages all types of eye diseases. He has a passion for fitting contacts and glasses to challenging patients. 

Dr. Klugh has been practicing optometry in North Carolina for 20 years and serves on the Board of Trustees of Washington, N.C., Evening Rotary Club, where he was a past president. Dr. Klugh is also a member of the Coastal District Optometric Society, where he was president for 8 years. Dr. Klugh currently has a seat on the Board of Directors for the Washington Blind Center, which helps the visually impaired locally. 

When he’s not helping his patients, Dr. Klugh enjoys working out, fishing, and watching sports. He and his wife, Kandyce, have 2 children, Jordan and Taylor.

Location served: Washington

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Dr. Katherine Lindsay received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech and her Doctorate in Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus, graduating Magna Cum Laude through the accelerated scholars’ program.

Her externship included Primary Care and Contact Lens Fitting, Ocular Disease, and Ocular Disease/Cataract Surgery Pre- and Post-Operative Care, in addition to an internship in Pediatrics.

At Albemarle Eye Center, Dr. Lindsay specializes in primary routine care, pediatric care, ocular disease, and contact lens fittings. She also provides pre- and post-operative care for our surgical patients.

Dr. Lindsay is committed to using her expertise to support her community. She has volunteered with the Continuum of Keratoconus Care Program (ICKC), Ortho-K Workshop, and has performed vision screenings for local preschool students.

Professionally, she is a member of the American Optometric Association and the North Carolina Optometric Society.

In her personal time, she enjoys spending time outdoors at the beach, hiking, and traveling with her husband, two dogs, and one cat.

Dr. Lindsay will be accepting new patients at our Kitty Hawk office starting in 2024.

Dr. Sean W. Smolenyak was born and raised in Virginia, in the little town of Great Falls. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1997 and followed that up with a Bachelor of visual science in 1998. Dr. Smolenyak then got his Doctorate of Optometry from The Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2001. 

Dr. Smolenyak was nearsighted since kindergarten, and his early visits to the eye doctor’s office fueled his passion for helping others maximize their vision and protect their eye health. Dr. Smolenyak started his career at Albemarle Eye Center in 2001 but was recruited to join The Kelly Eye Center in Raleigh in 2005. During his 16-year tenure in Raleigh, he had the opportunity to utilize some of the newest technologies and treatments for a range of ocular diseases. Dr. Smolenyak has since returned to the Albemarle Eye Center family and is excited to get started. 

Dr. Smolenyak specializes in the medical management of eye diseases, including: 

• Ocular emergencies
• Ocular surface disease
• Macular degeneration
• Diabetic eye disease
• Glaucoma

Dr. Smolenyak also has extensive experience in the pre and post-operative management of cataract surgery and has helped manage over 40,000 patients.

Dr. Smolenyak is a member of the North Carolina Optometric Society and The American Optometric Association, serving in numerous leadership positions within the state society. Dr. Smolenyak researches new technologies and treatments for his patients to ensure they have access to the most current treatments. Dr. Smolenyak has been recognized as an essential educator by his peers and has been invited to lecture throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Dr. Smolenyak’s wife, Heather, is originally from Elizabeth City. Their family has always dreamed of returning home to northeastern North Carolina. When Dr. Smolenyak is not visiting patients, he enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Heather, and their daughter, Madelyn. They enjoy their time visiting the Outer Banks and some time on the water, taking in all that the Albemarle Area has to offer. 

Dr. Smolenyak’s hobbies include classic and muscle cars, visiting antique stores, and cheering for the Carolina Hurricanes. He is looking forward to continuing to provide quality eye care to the residents of northeastern North Carolina.

Location served: Edenton & Kitty Hawk