VisionAmerica - Birmingham, AL
Matthew Albright, MD
Paul Batson, OD
Jeffrey Fuller, MD
A. Jill Helton, OD
David Judge, MD
Irene H. Ludwig, MD
James W. Marbourg, OD
Robert W. H. Mason, MD
Donald P. McCurdy, MD
Robert Morris, MD
Darrell E. Wolfley, MD
Matthew Albright, MD.
Cornea and Refractive Surgeon
Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Fellowship
Board Certified
malbright@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. Matthew Albright is a fellowship-trained and board-eligible ophthalmologist who specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the cornea, ocular surface and anterior segment. In addition, Dr. Albright performs refractive surgery procedures. He treats patients at the Birmingham center.
Dr. Albright offers innovative surgical options for corneal transplantation, including partial-thickness procedures such as Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) for patients who suffer from conditions such as endothelial dysfunction, Fuch's corneal dystrophy and corneal swelling. In fact, Dr. Albright's active involvement in major clinical trials has helped develop novel instrumentation for the DSAEK procedure.
Dr. Albright also performs deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) to treat corneal scars or keratoconus. He also treats ocular surface diseases such as pterygium and conjunctival carcinoma.
In addition to complex corneal procedures, Dr. Albright performs micro-incision cataract surgery with intraocular lens implants (IOLs), including Toric and multifocal lenses. He also offers multiple choices for secondary intraocular lens implantation or lens exchange.
For laser vision correction, Dr. Albright offers the latest technology in custom, wavefront-guided LASIK, utilizing the IntraLase platform for flap creation, or "all-laser" LASIK. This eliminates the need for a microkeratome, a sharp surgical device used during flap creation in traditional LASIK.
Dr. Albright graduated Summa Cum Laude from Auburn University, where he was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society. He received his medical degree, Magna Cum Laude, from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. In recognition of his academic excellence, Dr. Albright was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was selected as the Chief Resident his final year. Dr. Albright then completed a fellowship in cornea, external diseases and refractive surgery at the Washington University Eye Center in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Albright is happily married to his wife, Nichole. They have two young daughters, Sophia and Grace.
Paul Batson, O.D.
Center Director of Birmingham
pbatson@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. Paul Batson specializes in the diagnosis and management of complex eye diseases as well as the pre and post operative management of a variety of surgical procedures. As VisionAmerica's Center Director, he works very closely in the refractive surgery area.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Samford University and his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. While at UAB, he was elected to membership of the Phi Kappa Alpha Honor Society.
In addition to his duties as Center Director, Dr. Batson is serves on the UAB School of Optometry faculty as Assistant Clinical Professor. He lectures on a variety of topics including refractive surgery and management of ocular diseases.
He is a member of the American Optometric Association, Alabama Optometric Association and the Birmingham Area Optometric Society. He currently serves as the President for the Alabama Optometric Association.
He currently serves as a member of the Alabama Optometric Association Board of Directors, having just completed a 3 year commitment as Chairman of the Continuing Education Committee. In 2003, Dr. Batson was recognized by his peers as the Alabama Young Optometrist of the Year.
Dr. Batson is married and has two daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys golf and spending time with his family.
Jeffrey Fuller, M.D.
Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery
Board Certified
jfuller@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. Jeffrey Fuller is a fellowship-trained and board-certified ophthalmologist sub-specializing in medical and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the retina and vitreous. Dr. Fuller is the recipient of numerous awards and scientific grants, including one for the research of the Moxifloxacin project. His research has lead to numerous publications, scientific presentations and scientific posters. Dr. Fuller has worked under mentors Peter Detloff, PhD., Robert Weiss, Ph.D., and Scott Woodward, Ph.D.
Dr. Fuller is a member of the American Society of Retinal Surgeons, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Medical Association of Alabama, the Southern Medical Association, the Iowa Eye Association, and other professional organizations.
Dr. Fuller earned his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in Utah. He spent two years in Brazil completing missionary services. He then obtained his medical education at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Fuller's internship was completed at Baptist Medical Center-Montclair in Birmingham, Alabama. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia, Department of Ophthalmology in Augusta. He also completed his fellowship training in Vitreoretinal Disease at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
Dr. Fuller is joining us from the Retina and Vitreous of Louisiana. Dr. Fuller is married to Laura Morris and they have six children. His hobbies include following college football and basketball, political blogging, snow skiing and reading. Dr. Fuller is fluent in Portuguese and conversant in Spanish.
A. Jill Helton, O.D.
Assistant Center Director of Huntsville
jhelton@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. Jill Helton specializes in the pre and post operative management of cataract and refractive surgery as well as the diagnosis and treatment of complex eye diseases.
Dr. Helton attended the University of South Alabama and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994. Upon graduation, she attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry where she earned her doctorate.
Dr. Helton graduated with Cum Laude academic honors. Also, while attending optometry school, she was elected as a member into the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society. In addition to academic achievements, Dr. Helton chose to help those in need and participated in two eye care mission trips while in optometry school.
After completing Optometry School, Dr. Helton fulfilled an Ocular Disease residency at VisionAmerica in Nashville, Tennessee, before becoming the Assistant Center Director of VisionAmerica of Gadsden, in Gadsden, Alabama.
Dr Helton is currently a member of the American Optometric Association, where she has served on two committees. In addition to an active ALOA membership, she is currently a member of the Birmingham Area Optometric Society and is actively involved in the Northeast Alabama Optometric Society as well. Dr. Helton also serves on the board of directors for the UAB School of Optometry Alumni Association.
Dr. Helton is married and in her free time enjoys golfing and crafting.
David Judge, MD
Anterior Segment Surgeon
Corneal Specialist
Fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery
Board Certified
djudge@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. David Judge specializes in the treatment of corneal diseases and cataract surgery, with experience in refractive surgery. He is the anterior segment surgeon of our Gadsden center.
Dr. Judge received his medical degree at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee. Upon obtaining his degree, he completed an Internal Medicine Internship at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, TN. Dr. Judge then fulfilled a residency at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, LA and completed a fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City, OK. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association, and the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Judge has also held several teaching positions including that of Chief Resident at the Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, LA. Dr. Judge also served as a consultant for Anterior Segment Ophthalmology at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Ryadh, Saudi Arabia for two years. Additionally, he has authored several articles in medical journals as well as several professional presentations.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Judge is compassionate toward those in need. He is a current member of the Gadsden Lions Club. He has also devoted time overseas as a volunteer physician for Mercy Medical Ships International and Orbis International. Dr. Judge is also an Eye Care America Project Volunteer.
A devoted family man, Dr. Judge is happily married to Cynthia and they have two young children: Cory and Allison.
Dr. Judge treats Gadsden LASIK and Gadsden cataract surgery patients in addition to those in the surrounding area.
Irene H. Ludwig, M.D.
Pediatric Ophthalmology
Strabismus Surgeon
Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology
Board Certified
iludwig@eyehealthpartners.com
Irene H. Ludwig earned her M.D. degree from the Cornell University Medical College in 1979. She performed her internship in general surgery at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia. She then served as a resident in Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinical Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. Following two years of research at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, she then took a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Children's Hospital National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. In 1986, she joined the staff of Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, New York, where she was appointed to the position of Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Albany Medical College of Union University. In 1992, she joined the faculty at LSU Eye Center in New Orleans, where she is an Assistant Professor and performs teaching and research in new surgical techniques. Dr. Irene Ludwig is widely known for her innovative new technologies in adult and children's eye surgery.
Dr. Irene Ludwig is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Associate Member of the American Ophthalmological Society, the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the Costenbader Society and is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Her accomplishments in the field of Pediatric Ophthalmology include lecturing at scientific meetings and publications of a number of ophthalmological papers.
Dr. Ludwig has other areas of research interest including: the connection between strabismus and sinus disease, improved surgical techniques of superior oblique palsy, and a new repair of diplopia caused by orbital fracture.
James W. Marbourg, O.D.
Regional Vice President – VisionAmerica of Alabama
Executive Vice President – Eye Health Partners, Inc.
Dr. Jim Marbourg is the Executive Vice President for Eye Health Partners and Regional Vice President for VisionAmerica. He serves on the Board of Directors for Eye Health Partners and also practices consultative optometry in each of the centers.
Dr. Marbourg received dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Physiological Optics and his Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Alabama School of Optometry. Before joining VisionAmerica in 1992, Dr. Marbourg enjoyed his own private optometry practice in Birmingham, Alabama. During Dr. Marbourg's tenure with VisionAmerica, the practice has grown to include centers across Alabama and Tennessee with the goal to provide patients with comprehensive eye care while also serving the optometric community.
Dr. Marbourg maintains his commitment to promoting the optometric profession through his participation in professional organizations including his membership in the Alabama Optometric Association. In addition to serving in multiple capacities in this organization, Dr. Marbourg holds a faculty position at the UAB School of Optometry. His dedication to maximizing education of optometric students opened the door to the externship programs now offered at VisionAmerica and Eye Health Partner centers. These externships provide students from UAB (Alabama), Nova (Florida), and Waterloo (Canada) experience in the treatment and management of a variety of eye conditions.
Robert W. H. Mason, M.D.
Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Fellowship in Cornea and External Disease
Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Disease
Board Certified
rmason@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. Robert Mason is a fellowship-trained and board-certified ophthalmologist sub-specializing in medical and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the retina and vitreous, including diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. With a dual fellowship in cornea and external disease, Dr. Mason brings a unique perspective and versatility of practice to his patients and colleagues.
Dr. Mason is the recipient of several awards including a grant for the research of age-related macular degeneration. Additionally, he was the first fellow selected for St. John's Ophthalmic Hospital's cornea fellowship in the Middle East where he provided indigent care to the underserved for six months. His other achievements include numerous academic honors.
Over the past 15 years Dr. Mason has participated in several medical research projects. Some of his notable experience includes co-investigating two national clinical trials on break-through medications for treatment of age-related macular degeneration and blood vessel diseases of the eye. He also participated in revolutionary retinal transplant research as well as glaucoma research.
In addition to his leadership in medical research, Dr. Mason has provided lectures to doctors on a variety of topics and was a course instructor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Mason served as one of two ophthalmologists in a major North Carolina practice where he developed a co-managing relationship with more than 100 optometrists. Dr. Mason is a member of the American Society of Retinal Surgeons, the American Ophthalmology Association, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Medical Association, and other professional organizations.
Dr. Mason earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Oklahoma. He then obtained his medical education at the prestigious Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York. Dr. Mason's internship and residency were both completed at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Texas. He also completed two fellowships for additional specialized training in Vitreoretinal Medicine from South Texas Retina Consultants as well as Cornea and External Disease from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Donald P. McCurdy, M.D.
Anterior Segment Surgeon
Cataract Specialist
Board Certified
dmccurdy@eyehealthpartners.com
Specializing in medical and surgical diseases of the anterior segment of the eye, Dr. McCurdy focuses on cataract, corneal transplants, and procedures for glaucoma.
He is respected by his peers for his unique one handed bevel-down cataract surgery techniques and has performed over 20,000 cataract surgeries in his medical career.
He is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is also a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery as well as the American College of Eye Surgeons.
Dr. McCurdy graduated Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina in 1973. While at UNC, he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Upon graduation, he attended the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and graduated in 1977. He completed his residency in ophthalmology in 1981 at North Carolina Memorial Hospital. Following his residency, he practiced at Carolina Eye Associates in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Dr. McCurdy has been treating Birmingham cataract surgery patients since 1993 and also travels to many satellite offices in Northern and Western Alabama.
In his spare time, Dr. McCurdy loves to play golf.
Robert Morris, MD
Vitreoretinal Specialist
Macula Surgeon
Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Disease
Board Certified
rmorris@eyehealthpartners.com
Dr. Robert Morris has advanced training and surgical skills that are widely recognized, particularly in the treatment of severe eye injuries and surgery of the macula.
Dr. Morris regularly contributes to national and international journals on subjects such as diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. In addition, he often lectures at conferences of vitreoretinal surgeons and other ophthalmologists. Both Dr. Morris and his associate, Dr. Witherspoon are listed in Best Doctors in America. In 1995, Dr. Morris received the Migel medal from the American Foundation for the Blind for the greatest voluntary contribution by an individual to the field of blindness.
Dr. Morris graduated from Purdue University and later received his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He went on to complete a residency at the Eye Foundation Hospital at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. He later completed one of two retina fellowships at the University of Cologne, West Germany, training in ocular trauma surgery. He also trained with Dr. Robert Machemer, the inventor of Vitreotomy at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida.
For the past twenty years, with more than two hundred publications and presentations, as well as training of other vitreoretinal physicians, Dr. Morris makes a significant impact within the medical community. He holds seven patents related to eye care. He is cofounder of the Retina Research Foundation of Alabama, The Eye Injury Registry of Alabama and the United States Eye Injury Registry. Dr Morris also serves on numerous medical advisory boards.
In addition to helping Birmingham retina treatment, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration patients, he also serves as the President of the International Society of Ocular Trauma. He also serves as a Professor of Ophthalmology at UAB and President of the Helen Keller Foundation for Research and Education.
Darrell E. Wolfley, M.D.
Ophthalmic Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon
Fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery
Board Certified
dwolfley@eyehealthpartners.com
Darrell E. Wolfley, M.D. is an ophthalmic plastic surgeon specializing in eyelid surgery and surgical procedures of the orbit, forehead, cheeks and lacrimal drainage system.
A Cum Laude graduate of the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Wolfley then graduated with honors from Northwest University Medical School where he was elected to membership in Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. After completing a straight medicine internship with the University of Washington in Seattle, Dr. Wolfley then completed ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. After completion of his tour of duty in the U.S. Army, Dr. Wolfley then did a fellowship in ophthalmic plastics and reconstructive surgery at New York Medical College in New York, NY.
Prior to joining VisionAmerica, Dr. Wolfley was Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.
He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a Fellow in the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery. He is one of only twenty ophthalmologists in the United States certified by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastics Surgery to train younger ophthalmologists in the field of Ophthalmic Plastics and Reconstructive surgery. He is recognized nationally and internationally as an outstanding surgeon and a gifted teacher. He has been visiting professor and guest lecturer in more than thirty different Universities and ten different countries. Dr. Wolfley performs a variety of oculoplastics procedures at numerous locations for Eye Health Partners, including in Birmingham.