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Dr. Michael W. Brennan practices comprehensive ophthalmology in Burlington, NC after a 20 year career in the U.S. Army. A West Point graduate, Dr. Brennan received a Masters in Aeronautics at Stanford University. He served as an Army aviator in Vietnam and instructor at West Point. Dr. Brennan was a finalist in the NASA space shuttle selection process. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Texas. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at Brooke Army Medical Center, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas and served as Chief of Surgery at Fort Bragg, NC.

Dr. Brennan is past president of the N.C. Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and has served on numerous State Medical Society committees. He has formulated state and federal governmental affairs policies for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and currently serves as the American Academy of Ophthalmology President. He is a member of the Pan American Association of Ophthalmology Executive Committee and a number of International ophthalmology societies.

His special interests include the development of physician leaders and the empowerment of physician organizations. He has conducted physician leadership programs for many Latin American, European and Middle Eastern countries. He maintains involvement with Iraqi physicians through continuing Medical Education programs delivered in Erbil and Baghdad.

Dr. Brennan and his wife, Helen, are active in professional and civic affairs in their community. They have four children and seven grandchildren.

Dr. Jan A. Kylstra earned his medical degree from Duke University and completed his residency and fellowship at Harvard in Boston. He is board certified and an active member of professional organizations including the Retina Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Prior to joining Alamance Eye Center, Dr. Kylstra was Director of Retina Services at UNC-Chapel Hill for 11 years.

Dr. Kylstra treats diseases of the retina and vitreous including diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, macular holes, and age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Kylstra uses the latest treatment approaches including Lucentis and Avastin for age-related macular degeneration.

Dr. Kylstra resides in Chapel Hill with his wife, Etta, who is also a physician and works at UNC. Dr. Kylstra and Etta have four children. Dr. Kylstra’s hobbies include sailing and the saxophone.

Dr. William L. Porfilio began his undergraduate training at the University of Texas at Austin, then graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. While at Wilmington he served as the Captain/First Mate of the University’s research vessels on missions including one of the USS Monitor Expeditions.

Dr. Porfilio earned his Doctorate in Medicine from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and went on to do his internship at Saint John’s Mercy Medical Center in Saint Louis, MO. He remained in Saint Louis for his residency training in ophthalmology at the Saint Louis University Eye Institute.

He is married to Cynthia Connelly Porfilio of Morganton, NC. They have one toddler, Ella Kate. Cynthia’s family has been in Western North Carolina for several generations and Bill’s family has been in Chapel Hill for nearly twenty years. They have really enjoyed being back in North Carolina and Ella Kate gets to see her grandparents often.

Dr. Porfilio is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Refractive and Cataract Surgeons, the Pan American Association of Ophthalmology, and the Kiwanis Club.

In his spare time he enjoys playing with his daughter, volunteering and cooking.

His practice interests include cataract surgery and oculoplastic (eye lid) surgery.

Dr. Steven A. Dingeldein, a Greensboro native, joined Alamance Eye Center in 1988. Dr. Dingeldein graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UNC-Chapel Hill and attended Princeton Theological Seminary. He received his medical degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in ophthalmology at UNC. He completed subspecialty training in diseased and surgery of the cornea at Louisiana State Medical Center in New Orleans. In addition to his private practice, he served as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at UNC-Chapel Hill. In August 1991, as the principal investigator in clinical trials on the VISX excimer laser project in NC, Dr. Dingeldein was the first physician in this area to treat myopia with an excimer laser.

Dr. Dingeldein is a member of the North Carolina Medical Society (and has served as chairman of the NCMS Managed Care Committee), the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, American Academy of Ophthalmology and the North Carolina/South Carolina Society of Eye Physicans and Surgeons. He is also representative to the NC Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee.

Dr. Dingeldein and his wife Mary, are the parents of two daughters. Dr. Dingeldein enjoys scuba diving with his family. His other passions include photography above and below water as well as theology and the study of early Christian history.

Dr. Chadwick R. Brasington, MD joined the staff of Alamance Eye Center in the summer of 2002. He received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston after graduating summa cum laude from Clemson University. He completed his residency in ophthalmology and internship at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem.

Dr. Brasington is an active member of many professional organizations including the North Carolina Medical Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, North Carolina/South Carolina Eye Physicians and Surgeons, American Eye Study Club, and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

Dr. Brasington is a native of Columbia, SC and is married to Kelly Pippin Brasington. They have two sons, Daniel and Andrew and one daughter, Nina Kate. They are members of First Presbyterian Church of Burlington.

Dr. Brasington practices comprehensive ophthalmology and treats glaucoma. He performs cataract surgery and glaucoma surgery both at Alamance Regional Medical Center and Mebane Surgery Center.

Dr. James A. Bryan, III is a board certified ophthalmologist specializing in refractive surgery. He was the first in the Durham/Chapel Hill area to offer Laser Vision Correction and to perform LASIK procedure. He has performed refractive surgery procedures since 1994, including RK, PRK, and since 1997, LASIK procedures.

Dr. Bryan is a past chief of staff of the Division of Ophthalomology at Durham Regional Hospital. He received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College and his medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Bryan completed his internship at Washington Hospital Center Department of Medicine and his residency at the University of Virginia Department of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Bryan has been in private practice since 1998 in Durham and Chapel Hill. He grew up in chapel Hill, where his father was also a physician. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, cooking, Scuba diving, and spending time with his wife and three children. Dr. Bryan is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, International Society of Refractive Surgeons, and North Carolina Medical Society.

Dr. Charles F. Sydnor began his private ophthalmology practice in Burlington at Alamance Eye Center in 1982. Before joining the practice he served on the faculty of Duke University Eye Center for nine years. Dr. Sydnor received his medical education at the University of Virginia School of Medicine and completed his residency in ophthalmology at Duke University Medical Center. He then completed a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at the University of Michigan Medical Center.

Dr. Sydnor has lectured extensively throughout the United States on physician practice management issues.

Dr. Sydnor and his family are residents of Snow Camp. Dr. Sydnor’s interest in local food systems has lead to the development of Red Devon Cattle for grass feed beef. The health benefits for raising animals on pasture are well known. The products of the farm are sold in local markets, restaurants, health food stores and at an on-farm store.

Dr. Sydnor’s wife Cindy, is very active in training horses. They have two sons, one daughter and one granddaughter.

Dr. Van S. Romine received his BS degree from Marshall University in West Virginia, and his Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn. Before joining Alamance Eye Center in 1986 he served as Assistant Chief of Optometry Services at Womack Army Hospital, Fort Bragg, NC. Dr. Romine has retired from the Army Reserves with 36 years experience and is a Desert Storm Veteran.

Dr. Romine provides general (primary) optometric care, contact lens fitting and low vision care. He also co-manages cataract and refractive surgery patients. He is a member of the American Optometric Association, the AOA Low (vision section), the N.C. State Optometric Society and currently serves on the Chatham County Board of Health. Dr. Romine and his wife, Rebecca, live in Siler City and have three children. They enjoy gardening, woodworking, fishing and sewing and are active in professional, civic, educational and church activities.

Dr. Thomas S. Devetski attended Indiana University and received his Doctorate in Optometry at Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.. Prior to joining Alamance Eye Center, he was the director of the Contact Lens Service and an Assistant Professor in the UNC Chapel Hill Department of Ophthalmology. He has extensive experience helping people with irregular corneas, such as individuals diagnosed with keratoconus or with corneal transplants, as well as difficult spectacle prescriptions or people who have had problems wearing contact lenses in the past. Dr. Devetski welcomes new patients and their families for routine eye exams or contact lens evalutations.

Dr. Devetski lives in Chapel Hill with his wife and three children. He enjoys playing tennis and basketball, and traveling with family.

Dr. Devetski see patients in Burlington as well as in the Chapel Hill location at Eye Associates of Chapel Hill.

Cynthia O. Donnelly, OD graduated from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, then received her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Houston College of Optometry. She continued her training while completing and externship at Womack Army Hospital at Fort Bragg, N.C. Dr. Donnelly joined Alamance Eye Center in 1985. She transferred to Mebane in 1997 when Alamance Eye Center opened its second satellite office to better serve the needs of eastern Alamance County.

With over twenty years of experience, Dr. Donnelly provides comprehensive eye care for all ages. She has established a large contact lens practice and has extensive experience in fitting all types of contact lenses, including soft lenses to correct astigmatism, extended wear lenses, rigid gas permeables, and bifocal contacts. She feels and important part of her mission as an optometrist is to monitor for ocular signs of systemic disease such as diabetes, and to provide feedback for patient's primary care physician. In addition, she works closely with ophthalmology in the co-management of post-surgical cataract and Lasik patients.

Dr. Donnelly is a member of the Americal Optometric Association and the North Carolina Optometric Society. Dr. Donnelly and her husband have two children. They enjoy living on and maintaining a small farm, complete with various forms of wildlife and one very happy dog. In addition to participating in civic and church activities, the Donnellys love attending and supporting high school baseball and sharing in their daughter's equestrian pursuits.

Dr. Richard H. Hatch, and Alamance County native, joined the Alamance Eye Center in 1993 after a 20-year career in the United States Air Force and 13 years in private optometric practice in Graham. Dr. Hatch attended Elon College and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. Hatch provides primary optometric care, contact lens fitting, and co-management of cataract and refractive surgery patients. He is fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of the American Optometric Association, N.C. State Optometric Society and the Triad Optometric Society.

Dr. Hatch and his wife Betty, live in Graham and are the parents of two children, Susan and Evan. Their first grandchild lives in California and was born in August of 2004.

Dr. Hatch continues to enjoy woodworking, raquetball and golf. He also volunteers on Fridays for the Habitat for Humanity constructions sites.