The health and safety of patients and staff remains our top priority. As federal, state and local guidance permit, we are resuming routine eye exams to meet your eye health needs. Please follow the SCHEDULE NOW link below or call our office to book an appointment. Click here to learn more about our health & safety policies.
9:30 AM - 6:00 PM9:30 AM - 6:30 PM9:30 AM - 6:30 PM9:30 AM - 6:30 PM9:30 AM - 6:30 PM9:30 AM - 6:30 PM1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Carlson Eye Care Centers' vision is to be the industry leader in eyecare and eyewear by concentrating on a patient centric approach in providing a new standard of quality, convenience and innovation in a caring and compassionate manner.
Dr. Carls...
Carlson Eye Care Centers' vision is to be the industry leader in eyecare and eyewear by concentrating on a patient centric approach in providing a new standard of quality, convenience and innovation in a caring and compassionate manner. Dr. Carlson & Associates can help diagnose, manage, treat, and detect subtle changes in your eyes year over year. Come visit our offices at and let us help you see and look your best. Our doctors are here to provide the professional eye care near you, to guarantee you have the clearest vision. Call today to schedule an appointment for your annual eye exam.
Dr. Torrey J. Carlson & Associates is the local eye doctor to see for all of your eye care needs in Johnson City, TN. As your local Johnson City optometrist, Dr. Torrey J. Carlson & Associates can help diagnose, treat, and detect subtle changes in your eyes year over year. Come visit our offices at 2011 North Roan Street Johnson City, TN 37601 and let us help you see and look your best. Our doctors are here to provide the professional eye care near you, to guarantee you have the clearest vision. Call today to schedule an appointment for your annual eye exam.
our doctors
Dr. Torrey Carlson
Dr. Carlson was born in Escanaba, Michigan. He married his wife Amy in 1995, They moved to Tennessee after graduation. They have four children Masey, Lizzie, Allie, and Jack and an Irish setter, Sadie. He enjoys spending time with family, traveling, antiques, reading, golfing, basketball.
Education
Attended Ferris State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then attended the now-Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University, graduating in 1995.
Experience
Doctor of Optometry therapeutic Tennessee
Texas
Colorado
and Virginia. American Optometric Association (AOA)
TN Optometric Association (TOA)
ALLDOCS
Northeast Tennessee Society of Optometric Physicians
East TN Optometric Association (ETOA). Board of Optometry
Dr. Benjamin Lawrence
Dr. Ben Lawrence grew up near Toledo, Ohio. He and his wife Alyson moved from Minnesota to East Tennessee in 2014. Dr. Lawrence loves to spend time being active outdoors with his wife Alyson. They both enjoy hiking and working on their farm.
Education
Graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in Zoology. Dr. Lawrence received his Doctor of Optometry from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2011
Experience
Therapeutic Licensed Optometrist
Dr. Jennifer Ledford
Contact Lenses Therapeutic Optometry Treatment and Management of Eye disease Dr. Ledford enjoys spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, reading, cooking and knitting.
Education
Dr. Ledford attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. She then attended Pennsylvania College of Optometry and graduated in 2009.
Experience
Doctor of Optometry TN Dr. Ledford is a member of the Virginia Optometric Association
Lonesome Pine Optometric Society and the Northeast Tennessee Society of Optometric Physicians.
Dr. Michael Morgan
Dr. Morgan grew up just outside of Nashville, TN and is the oldest of five children. He now lives in Church Hill with his wife Sydnee, who is also an Optometrist.
Education
Waldorf University Bachelors in Science
Pennsylvania College of Optometry (Salus University) 2021 Doctorate of Optometry
Experience
Therapeutic Optometry
Dr. Phillip Gilliam
Contact Lenses Therapeutic Optometry Dr. Gilliam lives in Johnson City. He is married to Rene Gilliam, and has four children and two grandchildren. His patients know him as Dr. Phil.
Education
1989 Graduate of Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN
Experience
Dr Gilliam is licensed to practice in Tennessee and Virginia Dr. Gilliam is in the Northeast Tennessee Society of Optometric Physicians. He is a past member of Civitan
and is an active member and Deacon at the Central Church of Christ
where he leads singing a
Dr. Sarah Elmore
Primary care Contact Lenses She developed a love for hiking while previously living in Eastern Tennessee. She also fills much of her free time fostering kittens, watching movies, cross stitching, and traveling.
Education
University of Central Florida, Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a minor in Health Services Administration in 2013
Salus University?s Pennsylvania College of Optometry and graduated in 2017
Experience
Therapeutic Optometry Dr. Elmore is a member of the American Optometric Association
the North-East Tennessee Society of Optometric Physicians
and The Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians
Dr. Troy Moss
Dr. Moss grew up in Chattanooga, TN and recently moved to Johnson City this year with his girlfriend, who is a General Surgery resident with ETSU. Dr. Moss enjoys outdoor activities, watching sports of all kinds, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Education
Dr. Moss graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a Bachelor?s degree in
Biology. He then obtained his Doctor of Optometry degree in 2022 from Southern College of Optometry.
Patient Reviews
No reviews yet
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY EYE EXAM?
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY EYE EXAM?
1
You should bring your vision insurance and medical insurance information to your eye exam. If you currently wear any prescription lenses, bring your eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. You should also bring any and all questions you may have. Contact your optometrist if you have specific questions about any additional items you think you may need to bring to your eye exam.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EYE EXAM AND A VISION SCREENING?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EYE EXAM AND A VISION SCREENING?
1
A comprehensive eye exam is administered by an optometrist and can detect not only vision problems but problems with eye health and general health as well. A vision screening is typically performed by a general medical practitioner such as a pediatrician or a nurse. While a vision screening can help identify vision issues, it can miss many important issues that a comprehensive eye exam can identify. This is why everyone is encouraged to get annual eye exams. Schedule your eye exam today.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN AN EYE EXAM?
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN AN EYE EXAM?
1
An eye exam involves a series of simple but comprehensive tests that allow your optometrist to assess your vision and your eye health. Your optometrist will discuss the results of your eye exam with you and determine the right prescription to help you to see your best.
IS A CONTACT LENS EXAM DIFFERENT THAN AN EYE EXAM?
IS A CONTACT LENS EXAM DIFFERENT THAN AN EYE EXAM?
1
A normal, comprehensive eye exam will allow your optometrist to determine if your eyes are healthy enough to wear contact lenses. During your contact lens fitting, detailed measurements of your eyes will be taken to determine the right contact lenses for you. There is an additional fee for a contact lens fitting and evaluation for all contact lens patients (both new and established patients). Schedule your eye exam today to have all of your questions about contact lenses answered.
WHY SHOULD I GET AN EYE EXAM?
WHY SHOULD I GET AN EYE EXAM?
1
An annual eye exam involves more than just updating your glasses or contact prescription. A comprehensive eye exam can also detect eye health issues as well as general health problems. Conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be detected in early stages through an eye exam, and this can result in early treatment. Schedule your annual eye exam today.
CAN EYE EXAMS DETECT OTHER HEALTH ISSUES?
CAN EYE EXAMS DETECT OTHER HEALTH ISSUES?
1
Eye exams can detect eye health issues such as glaucoma and cataracts. Eye exams can also detect general health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This is why eye exams are an important part of health maintenance for everyone regardless of age or vision correction needs. Schedule your annual eye exam today.
WHEN SHOULD I SEE AN OPTOMETRIST?
WHEN SHOULD I SEE AN OPTOMETRIST?
1
You should see an optometrist once a year whether or not you believe you need vision correction. An annual eye exam can detect not only eye diseases but also other diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure. Schedule your eye exam today.
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN AN OPTOMETRIST TREAT?
WHAT CONDITIONS CAN AN OPTOMETRIST TREAT?
1
An optometrist can treat vision problems like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism. An optometrist also often treats common eye problems like dry eye syndrome and eye infections. An optometrist can also treat chronic eye diseases such as glaucoma. Optometrists are trained to detect and diagnose all eye problems and eye diseases. Schedule an eye exam today if you are experiencing any problems with your eyes or your vision.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM THE OPTOMETRIST?
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM THE OPTOMETRIST?
1
At your optometrist appointment, your optometrist usually will check your eye health and evaluate your vision. After the exam, your optometrist will discuss your vision health and the right prescription for you. Your optometrist can also answer any questions you have about your eye health, eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses. Schedule your eye exam today.
HOW DOES MY VISION CHANGE WITH AGE?
HOW DOES MY VISION CHANGE WITH AGE?
1
Changes in vision that occur with age include reduced pupil size, dry eyes, loss of peripheral vision, decreased color vision, and vitreous detachment. The most common vision problem that comes with age is presbyopia, which is the normal and unavoidable age-related loss of focusing ability. Different types of lenses can provide help for presbyopia. The risk of developing cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy increases with age too. Your optometrist will discuss any age-related vision problems you’re experiencing at your next annual eye exam.
WHAT IS A REFRACTION TEST?
WHAT IS A REFRACTION TEST?
1
Your optometrist uses a refraction test to determine your exact eyeglasses prescription. Through showing you a series of lens choices through a device called a phoropter, your optometrist determines the amount of nearsightedness, farsightedness, and/or astigmatism that you have and the lenses needed to correct these vision problems.
WHO CAN WEAR CONTACT LENSES?
WHO CAN WEAR CONTACT LENSES?
1
Nearly anyone who needs vision correction can wear contact lenses. Contact lenses can provide vision correction for people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, or a combination of these issues. Finding the perfect lens for you is sometimes a process of trial and error. All of the lens parameters can be finalized only after you’ve worn the successful combination. Schedule an eye exam to talk with your optometrist about whether contact lenses would be a good vision correction option for you.
HOW DOES AN OPTOMETRIST TEST MY EYES?
HOW DOES AN OPTOMETRIST TEST MY EYES?
1
An optometrist uses several tests and tools to evaluate your eye health and your vision. Your eye exam usually will include a glaucoma test, a retinal screening, a visual field screening, an extraocular muscle test, and a refraction test. The results of these screenings and tests help your optometrist evaluate your vision and overall eye health.
HOW IS VISION MEASURED?
HOW IS VISION MEASURED?
1
Vision is measured through a series of tests performed at an eye exam. Visual acuity is commonly measured by a series of two numbers, the first number representing the distance from which a person can clearly see something, and the second number representing the distance from which a person with normal vision can see that same thing. This measurement is typically obtained during an eye exam by having a person read from an eye chart with various sizes of letters.
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS GLASSES?
HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS GLASSES?
1
Taking your child to an optometrist for an eye exam is the best way to learn if your child needs glasses. Many children who need glasses aren’t aware that they do. Signs of vision problems in children include sitting too close to the television, squinting, sensitivity to light, difficulty with eye-hand coordination, and avoiding visual activities like reading and drawing. To see if your child needs glasses, schedule your child’s eye exam today.
Learn More
See Clearly, Drive Safely
Whether a long road trip or a short getaway is calling your name this summer, seeing clearly while you drive is a must. Without a personalized vision solution - like the proper lenses for your glasses or sunglasses, your vision could be compromised. Our practice provides a personalized approach to vision care, ensuring you and your family are ready to hit the road with a custom solution tailored to your vision needs.
Our best-in-class services provide personalized care and innovative technologies. Additionally, our vision solutions include options* for those who wear Single Vision or Progressive lenses, may need Transitions®, Anti-reflective, Blue-IQ, Prescription Sun lenses, and contact lenses too. Adventure is waiting—and so is clear vision for you and your family.
CLARIFYE - The Digital Eye Exam That Shows You More
We focus on your eyes, but we are also committed to your overall health.
The CLARIFYE digital eye exam provides an advanced and precise eye care experience for your best vision, can pinpoint changes in your eye health over time, and can tailor prescriptions for day and night. This state-of-the-art digital eye exam technology can also help me diagnose health problems like diabetes and glaucoma.
Your visits will be different from now on. CLARIFYE helps reduce the ‘which is better 1 or 2’ guesswork of traditional eye exam methods for most patients.
CLARIFYE maps the unique fingerprint of your eyes, and you will leave knowing you have a precisely pinpointed, customized prescription and a new insight into your health.
Don’t hesitate to schedule your comprehensive eye exam with us today – please see some convenient times that may work for you. We look forward to seeing you.
Upcoming Eye Exam Appointments
And more appointments available for you and your family
