Our Doctors

Dennis Matzkin, M.D.
Cataract and Refractive Surgeon

Dr. Dennis Matzkin graduated from the University of Witwatersrand Medical School in 1980. He completed his internship in medicine and surgery as well as ophthalmology at the Johannesburg Hospital. After completing two years national service as a medical officer in South Africa, he entered residency at the University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital. He was awarded the Fellowship in Ophthalmology by the college of medicine in South Africa. 

After immigrating to the US in 1989, Dr. Matzkin spent 5 years undergoing further ophthalmic training at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, where he was a fellow and surgical instructor in microsurgical eye surgery. He has published articles in peer review journals, and presented papers at national meetings.

Dr. Matzkin began general ophthalmic practice in Atlanta in 1995. He established Eye1st Vision & Laser in 2000.

Dr. Matzkin is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, American Medical Association and the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology.

He has treated such high profile patients as President Carter's three children, Captain Herb Emory "Eye-in-the-Sky", weather anchor Laura Huckabee, and the three-time world champion archer, Jessie Moorhead from the Outdoor TV Channel.

 

George O. Waring, III, M.D.
Cataract and Refractive Surgeon

Dr. Waring is an ophthalmic surgeon with more than 25 years of experience in vision correction surgery, LASIK (over 20,000 cases), intraocular lens implants and cataract and corneal surgery.

He received his MD degree from Baylor Medical College in Houston, TX. His ophthalmology training included a residency followed by a Heed Fellowship in corneal disease and surgery at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Waring began his academic career in 1974 at the University of California, Davis.

In 1979 he joined the faculty at Emory University, where he was a tenured Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Refractive Surgery until 2004, when he became Clinical Professor and entered private practice – now at Eye 1st Vision and Laser. Dr. Waring is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth, Britain) and of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

He was Principal Investigator of the first FDA trial to receive approval for laser vision correction surgery.  He received the first FDA approval to do LASIK in the United States, and did the first LASIK in Georgia. For the past decade he has been recognized among the “Best Doctors in Atlanta” – including 2010, and “America’s Best Doctors” and is listed in “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World”.  He has appeared on Nightline, Good Morning America and CNN.

To read more about Dr. Waring's numerous professional awards and accomplishments, please access his full bio at www.GeorgeWaring.com.

 

James A. Stewart, O.D.

Dr. Stewart attended Birmingham-Southern College as a pre-med chemistry major and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from The University of Alabama/Medical Center at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama in 1974.  He began his career at Shelby Medical Center in Alabaster, Alabama.  Dr. Stewart has maintained a private practice since then with over 35 years experience.  Dr. Stewart’s area of specialty includes family eye care, medical eye care, pre and post operative surgical eye care and pediatric eye care.

In addition to maintaining a private practice, Dr. Stewart was founder and President of two national eyecare consulting and management companies.  He is a partner at Eye1st Vision & Laser with offices in Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, and Buckhead.

Dr. Stewart is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Georgia Optometric Association, and the Greater Atlanta Optometric Association.   He is a past board member of The Georgia Society to Prevent Blindness where he and his wife were both active in fund raising events which raised money for school vision and glaucoma screenings throughout the state of Georgia.

In his spare time, Dr. Stewart enjoys playing golf, traveling, and spending time with his wife, Melisa, their two sons, and granddaughter.

 

George D. Shida, O.D.

Dr. Shida graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Pre-Med Biology.  He played football, lettering for 3 years.  Dr. Shida received his Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Alabama/Medical Center at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama in 1980.  He began his private practice career in 1981 at the Atlanta area, where he continues to practice.   His specialty is family eye care, medical eye care, pre and post operative surgical care, and contact lenses.

Dr. Shida is a partner of Eye1st Vision & Laser with offices in Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, and Buckhead.

Dr. Shida is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Georgia Optometric Association, and the Greater Atlanta Optometric Association, where he is a past president.

Dr. Shida enjoys coaching and following sports activities of his two college sons.  He also likes playing golf in his spare time.

 

Julie A. Galbreath-Wolf, O.D.

Dr. Wolf graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with honors, in 1991.  She received her Doctor of Optometry Degree from the Southern College of Optometry in 1995, also with honors.  She began her career in Jacksonville, Florida at the prestigious Baptist Eye Institute, where she was a team physician for the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL association, as well as director of the internship program for the Institute.  Dr. Wolf has practiced in multidisciplinary private practice settings since 1995, relocating to the Johns Creek, Georgia area in 2006.  She has extensive experience in treating ocular disease, including glaucoma, and comprehensive eye care for all ages.

Dr. Wolf is a member of The American Optometric Association, The Contact Lens and Cornea Section of the American Optometric Association, The Georgia Optometric Association, as well as the Greater Atlanta Optometric Association.  She served as a trustee to the boards of her local optometric society and TLC Laser Center while she was practicing in central Florida.

Dr. Wolf is a current board member and past board chairman of the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce.  As Chair of the Health and Wellness committee of the Chamber, she helped organize the Johns Creek Fall Wellness Festival in 2007 and 2008, bringing free health screenings and information to the community of Johns Creek.  Dr. Wolf is also a member of the Johns Creek Healthcare Association.

Dr. Wolf’s personal interests include traveling, physical fitness and nutrition, horseback riding, and boating.

Ebony Browne, O.D.

Dr. Ebony Browne graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.  She also received minors in Biology and Chemistry.  She received her Doctorate from the New England College of Optometry in Boston.  While attending NECO she worked at various clinics:  North End and South End Community Health Centers; Dorchester House, a multi service center focusing on Glaucoma; New England Eye Institute, focusing on contact lenses;  VA Bedford, focusing on Ocular disease; and VA West Haven, focusing on Low Vision.  Her areas of interest are routine eye care, ocular disease, low vision and contact lenses.

Dr. Browne is a member of the American Optometric Association and Georgia Optometric Association.  She worked as an intern of Eye1st Vision & Laser under the tutelage of Drs. Stewart, Shida, and Matzkin.  She returns now as a Doctor of Optometry. 

Dr. Browne is a native of Atlanta and in her free time she enjoys reading, studying, and spending time with friends and family.

 

LOCATIONS:

Duluth / Johns Creek:
10080 Medlock Bridge Rd, Duluth, GA 30097 -- (770) 623-3931

Dunwoody / Northside Hospital / Atlanta:
5505 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Suite 220, Atlanta, GA 30342 -- (404) 442-9577

Schedule an appointment

 

SERVICES:

• Cataract & Refractive Surgery (LASIK, Premium IOL, PRK, LASEK, etc.)
• General Ophthalmologist
• Ophthalmic Surgery
• Routine Eye Care
• Cosmetic Eye Surgery (Eye Lift, Blepharoplasty)