A Different Kind of Eye Doctor.

The Journey.

Dr. Karo completed his undergraduate education at the University of Florida, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Microbiology and Cell Science with a minor in Chemistry in three years. Following graduation, Dr. Karo gained experience in the medical field by working in an Operating Room for three years, doing literally every job; learning and appreciating all that makes the system run the way it does.

Dr. Karo went on to complete his medical education and the University of Virginia. He credits his time in Charlottesville with developing a underlying personal approach to complex medical problems that seems unique in today’s medicine.

Following medical school, he completed his internship and residency training with the US Army at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. His training encompassed the height of the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts affording an unbelievable surgical experience trained by some the most talented and caring professionals one could hope to be in training with.

After graduating residency training, Dr. Karo was sent on his tour of duty at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma where he was the lone Military Ophthalmologist for more than 100 miles. He went on to set up a branch of the US Military’s Warfighter Refractive Surgery Program, performing more than 4,000 vision improving operations for deploying soldiers. During his time in the Military, Dr. Karo deployed to Honduras twice for medical missions on behalf of the US Government. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions during his time in service.

Following an honorable discharge at the rank of Major, Dr. Karo went on to practice in the private sector in Charlotte and Asheville. He has returned to Asheville to open this solo practice after practicing in Providence, RI before the Pandemic changed life.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended many things, including many people’s personal and professional lives. However, it also brought clarity in purpose to many of us in medicine and certainly more clarity in business — for good and bad. Simply put, COVID-19 made it clear to him that there had to be a better way. A more compassionate way. Less cattle driven and more friendly. More personal.

The decision was made to come home to Asheville and start a practice with his own ideals. We hope you will see that “seeing things differently” is certainly a slogan, but it encompasses the goal of the practice.