Your New Albany Optometrist

Dr. Anastasia Soulas grew up in Avon, Ohio before moving to Columbus to study biochemistry at The Ohio State University. She was accepted to OSU College of Optometry after only three years of undergraduate school. 

While in optometry school, Dr. Soulas was a member of the American Optometric Student Association, Women in White Coats, and Epsilon Psi Epsilon optometric fraternity. She also served as treasurer of Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society and helped write and distribute a clinical decision making manual that is sent to every optometry student in the country.

In 2022, she graduated magna cum laude with a doctorate in optometry. 

Dr. Soulas is currently completing an ocular disease residency at University of Kentucky, where she runs an urgent optometric care clinic. She is passionate about interdisciplinary care and treating the whole patient, not just their eyes. Her residency experience has made her comfortable treating a variety of ocular diseases as well as providing comprehensive eye examinations. 

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Soulas loves to experiment with new cooking recipes, tend to her many plants, practice yoga, and go hiking with her boyfriend. 

Dr. Poonam Panda originally grew up in Plymouth, MI. She completed her undergraduate studies at Wayne State University in Detroit where she obtained a B.S in Biomedical Physics. She made the journey to Columbus, OH to complete her Doctor of Optometry at The Ohio State College of Optometry. 

While attending The Ohio State College of Optometry, Dr. Panda was very active in the American Optometric Association, American Academy of Optometry and Epsilon Psi Epsilon. Dr. Panda was also the president of the Women in White Coats Optometry chapter, and continues to be involved in empowering women as well as diversity inclusion within the community.  

Dr. Panda is currently pursuing a residency in Specialty Contacts Lens and Ocular Surface Disease at The Ohio State College of Optometry. Through her journey she has found a true passion for the treatment and management of Dry Eye disease, by providing in office treatment carefully curated to each individual patient. Besides caring for her patients, she loves teaching and working closely with the optometry students at the university.  

When Dr. Panda is not seeing patients, she loves spending time with her significant other and their dog Noodle. Dr. Panda is also an Amazon enthusiast, enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, and cheering on the Buckeyes!

Dr. Cassandra Sheriff is originally from Defiance, Ohio where she attended Tinora High School graduating as valedictorian.  She then went on to attend The Ohio State University for both undergraduate and optometry school (Go Buckeyes!).  Dr. Sheriff graduated OSU's college of optometry in 2017 as part of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society.

During optometry school, Dr. Sheriff was a member of Fellowship of Christian Optometrists where she went on a mission trip to Jamaica to provide eye screenings for children in their schools.  She was also an active member of the American Optometry Student Association and Epsilon Psi Epsilon.

After graduation, Dr.Sheriff moved back to her hometown of Defiance where she stayed actively involved in the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Association.  Dr. Sheriff served as zone treasurer and zone governor for the Ohio Optometry Association planning continued education and other social events for local optometrists.

Now being back in Columbus, Dr. Sheriff is excited to continue providing full scope optometric care to patients of all ages diagnosing and managing various eye diseases and disorders.  Dr. Sherif has a special interest in pediatric optometry, binocular vision, and myopia control.

On a personal note, Dr. Sheriff enjoys golfing, water skiing, swimming, and spending quality time with her husband, Gary, and step-daughter, Paisley.  She also loves her Ohio State football and snuggling her dog, Quarentina (Quarry).

Dr. Katherine Merry is a native of northwest Columbus, Ohio, and attended Bishop Watterson High School. She graduated magna cum laude from Walsh University with a B.S. in biology. Dr. Merry then attended the Ohio State University College of Optometry and graduated in 2021. During optometry school, Dr. Merry was a member of College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) where she served as secretary. She was also an active member of Fellowship of Christian Optometrists where she served as Co-President and as Mission Chair, planning a mission trip to Jamaica in 2019. She hopes to return to the same clinic in Jamaica with optometry students in the future. Dr. Merry is excited to practice full scope optometry with a focus in pediatrics and vision therapy. Her passion for vision therapy came when she was a vision therapy patient in high school. She hopes to help children live their best lives and succeed in school and sports, with the help of glasses and vision therapy! On a personal note, Dr. Merry and her husband Drew love spending time with family and friends, hiking, and creating together. Their favorite projects they’ve done together include a 3D printed Settlers of Catan board and their Christmas stockings, any project they can combine their talents on.

Dr. Kyle Martin was born and raised in Mason, Ohio, before completing his B.S. in neuroscience at The Ohio State University.  While completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Martin was a head squad leader and trumpet player for TBDBITL at OSU. During his time with the OSU marching band, he was nominated as one of the most inspirational bandsman and awarded the Buckeye Battalion Leadership Award. 

For optometry school, Dr. Martin continued his stay in Columbus, studying at The Ohio State College of Optometry where he was Vice-President of the Beta-Sigma Kappa Honor Society, class representative of the American Optometric Student Association, and member of the Epsilon Psi Epsilon optometric fraternity. In 2020, Dr. Martin graduated cum laude with his doctorate in optometry. 

Dr. Martin furthered his optometric training by completing a residency in cornea and specialty contact lenses at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois. His additional experience allowed him to become more experienced in designing specialty contact lenses for post-operative and ectatic corneas, orthokeratology/myopia control, and other complex anterior segment conditions. In addition to providing direct care, Dr. Martin was involved in precepting third and fourth year optometry students in the contact lens and emergency clinics located within ICO. 

Dr. Martin is excited to share what he has learned during his time in Columbus and Chicago by providing specialty contact lens and myopia control care to his patients. Dr. Martin is also committed to the advancement of optometry and is a member of the American Optometric Association’s Young OD Committee. 

On a personal note, Dr. Martin and his wife Paige recently welcomed their first child, Alice, into their home in November 2021. In addition to spending time with the family and his dog, Korbin, Dr. Martin enjoys cheering on OSU sports, traveling, exercising, and exploring new local areas for food/drink.

Dr. Kimberly Rock is originally from Warsaw, Ohio where she attended River View High School. She then attended Hiram College and graduate magna cum laude with a B.A. in Biomedical Humanities. Dr. Rock next attended The Ohio State University College of Optometry. She completed the combined OD/MS program and graduated with her Optometry Degree (cum laude) and a Master’s in Vision Science concurrently in 2017.

During optometry school, Dr. Rock was a member of College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA). She was a four-year member of Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society and was president during her fourth year. She was also a member of Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH), served as secretary for two terms and participated in a service trip to Lima, Peru in 2015. 

Dr. Rock’s master’s thesis involved research on the correlation between refractive errors and academic success in students where she got to work with the OneSight Vision Clinic at Oyler School in Cincinnati, OH. As an optometry student, she presented her research twice at the annual American Academy of Optometry meeting. After optometry school, Dr. Rock was able to expand on her research and completed her Fellowship with the American Academy of Optometry in November 2018.

Dr. Rock is currently a member of the American Optometric Association (AOA), the Ohio Optometric Association (OOA), the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), and the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). She is excited to practice full scope optometry, diagnosing and treating a variety of ocular disorders and diseases in patients of all ages, but has a special interest in pediatrics, binocular vision, brain injury patients and special needs patients. Dr. Rock is an InfantSee provider to those under 1 year of age and she’s an active RealEyes presenter to local elementary schools. 

Dr. Rock and her husband. Daeylin, love spending time with their two adorable cats, Lavender and Lilah, traveling, and making crafts. One of Dr. Rock’s greatest achievements is winning first place in a Harry Potter trivia night!

Did you know Dr. Rock is one of our pediatric optometrists? Read her full interview here.

Dr. Abigail G. Menner is originally from Bellbrook, OH. She attended Bellbrook High School and graduated Summa Cum Laude. She then attended The Ohio State University for her undergraduate studies in Medical Sciences and Pre-Optometry. She was accepted to The Ohio State University College of Optometry after her third year of undergraduate studies. While at The Ohio State University College of Optometry, she was very involved in Inter-Professional Council of which she was Optometry’s Lead Delegate, Fellowship of Christian Optometrists, American Optometry Student Association, and Beta-Sigma Kappa Honor Society. While in Optometry school, she served as a Student Member on The Ohio State University Student Conduct Board. During her third year of schooling, she received the Lawrence Shaefer Scholarship reserved for the Top Clinician of the third year class as well as the Leo Yassenoff Scholarship reserved for outstanding Professional Students. During her fourth year, she received the Excellence in Primary Care Award. Dr. Menner received her Doctor of Optometry Degree in May 2015. While in Optometry school, she and her classmates involved in the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists partnered with Mission for Sight and organized a Mission Trip to Frome, Jamaica to provide eye care at a local clinic and area schools. She then returned to the same clinic in Frome with Optometry students during her Residency. Dr. Menner gained experience in the field of Specialty Contact Lens and Ocular Disease during her Residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. During her Residency, she worked closely with corneal surgeons where she then designed and fit specialty contact lenses for patients with corneal transplants, Keratoconus, Severe Dry Eye disease, Aphakia, corneal scarring, and other corneal conditions. She also completed rotations in Retina, Neuro-Ophthalmology, and Glaucoma sub-specialties. Dr. Menner also initiated a research study on the Quality of Life measures of Severe Dry Eye patients fit with Scleral lenses. Dr. Menner is very committed to providing the highest quality eye care as well as managing challenging Contact Lens and Specialty Contact Lens patients. She is also passionate about continuing her Mission work and research efforts.  Dr. Menner is on faculty at The Ohio State University College of Optometry conducing research and teaching Optometry Students.  Dr. Menner is available at the Mount Airyshire locations on Wednesdays for specialty contact lens care services. On a personal note, Dr. Menner enjoys running, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. She attends the Tri-Village campus of Veritas Community Church. She also loves cheering on her Ohio State Buckeyes. Go Bucks!

Dr. Joseph Leisring is originally from Dayton, Ohio. He completed his undergraduate studies at Wright State University and was an early admission to The Ohio State University Optometry program. He graduated from the OSU College of Optometry in 1981 and was a member of the Epsilon PSI Epsilon professional fraternity. Upon graduation, Dr. Leisring entered private practice and has served as a clinical instructor for optometry students at OSU. He is a 41 year member of the American Optometric Association, Ohio Optometric Association, and the Central Ohio Optometric Association where he was elected to many offices and served as its zone governor for one year. Dr. Leisring has a diverse clinical background providing primary and emergency eyecare. He also provides both pre and post operative care for cataract and lasik patients,. He has contributed extensively to contact lens research and development as a principal FDA investigator, authored several articles, lectured to other eyecare providers. He has testified to the FDA regulatory panel in Washington, DC on new contact lens solutions and materials being used today. Dr. Leisring is especially proud to have provided eye care services to both the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympic athletes. He and his wife, Lynne, enjoy family time with their grown daughter, son and two granddaughters. Dr. Leisring is an avid cyclist, participating in Pelotonia since its inception in 2009. He is a frequent guardian for Columbus Honor Flight military veterans. He welcomes and appreciates the opportunity to serve your eyecare needs.

After graduating from OSU College of Optometry in 1976, Dr. Dittenber spent three years as an Optometrist/Officer in the US Air Force, stationed at Charleston AFB, S.C. In 1979, Dr. Dittenber opened his first office in Sunbury in a second floor location beside Dr. Anthony's (Sunbury dentist) office on the square. In 2001, the office was moved to its current location, 690 West Cherry Street (Rt 36,37) across from American Showa, inc. In January 2017, Dr. Dittenber and his practice joined with Vision Professionals. Dr. Dittenber has remained a member of the American Optometrist Association and the Ohio Optometric Association for over 40 years. Besides dedication to family vision care, Dr. Dittenber has a special interest in children's vision and children with vision related learning problems. his background in behavioral optometry has been an asset in solving vision learning problems by lens application and vision therapy. Dr. Dittenber and his wife, Debbie, have four grown children and four grandchildren. They enjoy outdoor activities like biking, boating, and hiking. They also enjoy traveling to visit their children, activities with friends, and church. In his free time, Dr. Dittenber enjoys reading and woodworking.

Dr. Smiley is currently not accepting new patients except for referrals for specialty contact lenses. Dr. Christopher Smiley is a native to the Central Ohio area and the second generation owner of Vision Professionals. As an innovative and progressive leader in the Optometric community, his commitment to excellence is evident in all areas. Dr. Smiley graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2001 with top honors in contact lens patient care. Dr. Smiley was honored with the prestigious American Optometric Foundation’s (AOF) Contact Lens Excellence Award. Selected by the faculty, this award is presented to one graduating fourth year optometry student who demonstrates excellence in clinical contact lens patient care during their optometric education. Dr. Smiley was also one of an elite group of students to be granted membership in both Sigma Kappa and Gold Key International Optometric Honor Societies. Dr. Smiley supports advanced optometric education through his membership in the American Optometric Association (AOA), Ohio Optometric Association (OOA), Columbus Optometric Association (COA), and the Contact Lens & Cornea Section of the AOA (CLCS). Dr. Smiley has served as a clinical investigator for a number of contact lens study programs, which allows him to provide many lens technologies before they are commercially available.  Dr. Smiley serves as consultant to many contact lens manufacturers. He frequently lectures to doctors and teaches students contact lens fitting techniques.   Dr. Smiley currently serves as the Treasurer of The Ohio State Alumni Association for the College of Optometry. Dr. Smiley specializes in “difficult fit” contact lenses including those patients with rare eye conditions such as keratoconus, irregular astigmatism, and those patients requiring vision rehabilitation after laser vision correction. Dr. Smiley also specializes in the treatment and management of eye emergencies and glaucoma. He frequently assists patients with vision correcting procedures such as LASIK, corneal refractive therapy, cataracts, and other new technologies. Dr. Smiley provides state-of-the-art eye care to those patients seeking contact lenses, including those that have not been successful elsewhere. Dr. Smiley’s commitment to continual optometric education and modern technologies allows him to maintain impeccable clinical skills and to practice at the forefront of the optometric profession. On a personal note, Dr. Smiley enjoys spending time with his kids.  His daughter, Kendall is studying pre-health sciences at the University of Kentucky, and his son, Morgan attends school in Westerville.  He enjoys watching Ohio State Buckeye football, health and fitness activities, automobiles, fishing, warm weather especially if a beach is involved, and his dog, Dino (Rhodesian Ridgeback).

Graduating from The Ohio State University-College of Optometry in 1976, Dr. David Niederkohr has devoted the last 42.5 years to private optometric practice in Delaware, Ohio. In addition, his practice has included LifeStyle Optical located in Grady Memorial Hospital (now Ohio Health). He enjoys working with challenging contact lens fits. He has given service to Delaware city being on the city council for 6.5 years including vice-mayorship, St. Mary's Catholic Church Parish Council, coaching DYAA soccer, Delaware JayCees, Delaware County United Way, and Delaware Rotary Club. Recently joining Vision Professionals-Delaware, Dr. Niederkohr brings his years of expertise to patients new and renewed. Dr. Niederkohr and his wife, Linda, have two children, Nathan and Caitlin. He loves golfing, reading, and spending time with his close-knit family, including his three grandchildren.

Dr. Alicia Borer was born and raised in Ottawa, Ohio, where she attended Ottawa-Glandorf High School. She received her bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration with a minor in Business Administration from the University of Toledo, graduating with honors. Dr. Borer went on to study Optometry at The Ohio State University College of Optometry where she graduated Cum Laude in 2019. While in optometry school, Dr. Borer was a member of many student organizations including; American Optometric Student Organization (AOSA), Contact Lens Advancement Society (CLAS), and National Optometric Student Association (NOSA). Dr. Borer was also a 4 year member of Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society and a member of Student Volunteers for Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH). In 2018, Dr. Borer traveled to Ghana, Africa with SVOSH to provide eyecare to rural villages. As a Student Dr. Borer worked at the Havener Eye and Ear Institute in Columbus, Ohio, as an Ophthalmic Technician, working closely with both ophthalmologists and optometrists who treated a wide variety of ocular diseases and worked with specialty contact lenses. After graduating Dr. Borer moved to the Indianapolis area where she worked in private practice for two years specializing in ocular disease, and specialty contact lenses. Dr. Borer also has an interest in myopia control and worked towards bringing more myopia control care to that practice. Dr. Borer, a Buckeye at heart, has returned to Columbus where she feels at home. Dr. Borer loves to travel, and spending time at the lake boating with friends and family. Dr. Borer is a huge dog lover, enjoys exploring local breweries and restaurants, and of course watching Buckeye football!