Dr. Kerry Solomon
Trust the surgeon physicians choose for LASIK—Dr. Kerry Solomon, the leading LASIK surgeon in South Carolina!
Introducing Dr. Kerry Solomon: Pioneering Visionary
on a Mission to Transform Lives
People searching for an exceptional ophthalmologist in or around North Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, or West Ashley, SC, are fortunate to have one of the world’s best right here in the Lowcountry: Kerry Solomon, M.D. Dr. Solomon is internationally renowned for LASIK and refractive cataract surgery. He attracts patients from all over the country who want to be treated by a surgeon who has accomplished so many “firsts” in eye surgery. The driving force behind Dr. Solomon’s success is his passion for patient care, and dedication to helping people like you to enjoy a better quality of life through improved vision.
We want you to come in and see for yourself what makes Dr. Solomon’s practice truly unique. Use our easy online form to request an appointment, or call our office at (843) 881-3937 and one of our friendly staff members will schedule an appointment at a convenient time and location for you. We serve patients from Goose Creek, Johns Island, Kiawah Island, Myrtle Beach, and beyond.
Meet Dr. Kerry Solomon
Since 2002, Dr. Solomon has been named one of the “Top 50 Opinion Leaders in the Fields of Cataract and Refractive Surgery,” and one of the “Best Doctors in America” every year. He is a perennial research leader, and has been named one of the top 250 innovators in the field of premium IOL surgery by the publishers and editors of Premier Surgeon. He has also been cited in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Money, Redbook, and Reader’s Digest. His television appearances include NBC’s Today and the PBS series Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, which aired in more than 140 countries. Dr. Solomon and his wife, Cindi, an attorney, raised their 2 sons here in Charleston. They enjoy an active lifestyle that includes tennis, golf, running, traveling, and enjoying local art, cuisine, and culture. Together, they helped establish Operation Sight, a non-profit organization that provides free cataract surgery to South Carolina residents who could otherwise not afford it. In addition to Operation Sight, they are active in many civic and charitable organizations.
Dr. Solomon joined Carolina Eyecare Physicians in 2009.
Dr. Solomon's "Firsts"
PRK/LASIK
- One of the early investigators of excimer laser technology (technology used to perform PRK and LASIK procedures) starting in 1992, before FDA approval
- Brought the first excimer laser to South Carolina, one of the first in the country
- Participated in FDA excimer laser studies in 1993, before FDA approval
- Formed first Laser center in South Carolina
- Dr. Solomon performed the first PRK procedure in South Carolina, one of the first in the country
- Dr. Solomon performed the first LASIK procedure in South Carolina, one of the first in the country
- Dr. Solomon performed the first “all laser” LASIK in South Carolina
- Dr. Solomon performed the first iris registration LASIK in South Carolina
- Dr. Solomon was the first surgeon in the country to perform FDA approved topography-guided LASIK
Cataract/ Laser Cataract
- Dr. Solomon was one of the first surgeons in the world, and the first surgeon in South Carolina, to perform laser assisted cataract surgery
- Dr. Solomon was one of the first surgeons in the world, and the first on South Carolina, to use multifocal IOLs with cataract surgery
- Dr. Solomon was the first surgeon in South Carolina to use astigmatism correcting IOLs (toric IOLs) with cataract surgery
- Dr. Solomon was one of the first surgeons in the country, and the first surgeon in South Carolina, to use the FDA approved light adjustable IOL with cataract surgery
- Graduate of University of Vermont College of Medicine
- Internship at Yale University
- Residency training in ophthalmology at University of Kentucky Medical Center
- Fellowship in ophthalmic pathology at University of Utah Health Sciences Center
- Fellowship in cataract and refractive surgery and corneal transplantation at Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Board certified in ophthalmology
- Chief Medical Officer, US Eye (2022-present)
- Medical Director, Carolina Eyecare Physicians, LLC (2020-present)
- Medical Director for Research, US Eye (2009-present)
- Chair, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Domestic Foundation (2018-present)
- President, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (2016-2017)
- Executive Committee Member, American College of Ophthalmic Surgeons (2010-present)
- Executive Committee Member, American/European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery (2014-present)
- Executive Committee Member, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (2015-present)
- Executive Committee Member, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (2012 – 2018)
- Executive Board Member, American/European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery
- Chairman of ASCRS FDA Committee (2003 – 2010)
- Secretary, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (2013)
- Director, Cornea/Refractive Surgery Service, Medical University of SC (2000-Nov 2009)
- Chairman, Hospital Laser Committee, Medical University of SC (1999-2004)
- Director, Magill Laser Center, Medical University of SC (1994-Nov 2009)
- Ophthalmology Ambulatory, Care Committee Liaison, Medical University of SC (1994-1999)
- Post & Courier Charleston’s Choice Winner – Laser Eye Surgeon (2024)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best LASIK Provider & Best Eye Doctor (2024)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2024)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best LASIK Provider & Best Eye Doctor (2023)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2023)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best LASIK Provider & Best Eye Doctor (2022)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2022)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best LASIK Provider (2021)
- Post & Courier Charleston’s Choice Winner – Laser Eye Surgeon (2020)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best LASIK Provider (2020)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2020)
- Post & Courier Charleston’s Choice Winner – Laser Eye Surgeon (2019)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best Eye Doctor (2019)
- Post & Courier Charleston’s Choice Winner – Laser Eye Surgeon (2018)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best Eye Doctor (2018)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2018)
- University of Vermont, College of Medicine – Service to Medicine & Community Award (2017)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best Eye Doctor (2017)
- Post & Courier Charleston’s Choice Winner – Laser Eye Surgeon (2017)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2017)
- Post & Courier Charleston’s Choice Winner – Laser Eye Surgeon (2016)
- Charleston City Paper, Best of Charleston – Best Eye Doctor (2016)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2016)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2015)
- Mount Pleasant Magazine – Best Laser Surgeon (2014)
- The Pierre Gautier Jenkins Award for resident teaching (2006 – 2007)
- Awarded TOP Doctor by US News & World Report (2013)
- Charleston Regional Business Journal Health Care Hero (2011)
- 135 Leading Ophthalmologists in America by Becker’s ASC Review (2011-2012)
- Lee T. Nordan Achievement Award, presented by ASCRS (2006)
- Top 50 Opinion Leaders in the Fields of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (2005 – 2006)
- Top 250 surgeons, Premier Surgeon Magazine (Present)
- American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award (2005)
- Best Doctors in America (2002 – present)
- APEX Award presented by Refractive Surgery Quarterly (2002)
- Best Paper of Session ASCRS (2000)
- Grand Prize Video at ESCRS (2000)
- Honors Award presented by American Academy of Ophthalmology (1998)
- ASCRS Video Award: Best New Surgical Technique (First Prize) (1998)
- Associate Editor, EyeWorld Magazine (2011-present)
- Editorial Board, Premier Surgeon (2010 – present)
- Arturo and Holly Melosi Chair/Professor, Medical University of South Carolina (2007 – 2009)
- Adjunct Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Medical University of South Carolina (2009 – Present)
- Chief Medical Editor, Refractive Surgery Quarterly (1994 – present)
- Editorial Board, Ophthalmic Practice (1994 – present)
- Editorial Board, Ocular Surgery News (1994 – present)
- Editorial Board, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today (1994 – present)
- Reviewer, Archives of Ophthalmology (1994 – Present)
- Reviewer, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (1994 – present)
- Editorial Board, Phaco and Foldables (1994 – 2006)
- Editorial Board, Ocular Therapeutics (1994 – 2006)
- Professor of Ophthalmology, Medical University of SC (2002-Nov 2009)
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Medical University of SC (1998-2002)
- Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Medical University of SC (1993-1998)
- American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery®
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)
- International Society of Refractive Keratoplasty
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
- Heed Ophthalmic Foundation
- Eye Bank Association of America
- South Carolina Lions Eye Bank (Past Medical Director)
- South Carolina Medical Association
- South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology
- Charleston County Medical Society
- Charleston Ophthalmological Society (Past President)
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Alumnae
- Refractive Surgery Interest Group
- Wilmer Resident Association
- American College of Ophthalmic Surgeons
- National Board of Physicians and Surgeon
- Refractive Surgery Alliance
- Society for Excellence in Eyecare
5 Questions for Dr. Solomon
What's your favorite part of the job?
That’s a tough one, because there are so many. Of course, it all comes down to helping people see more clearly than they ever thought they could and allowing them to enjoy a better quality of life. I love hearing the stories about people getting back to their favorite activities like hunting, fishing, watersports, or simply driving more comfortably at night. I really enjoy exceeding people’s expectations, which happens quite a bit since the technology we use allows us to improve upon what is possible with glasses. I enjoy hearing the praise for my staff, and the appreciation from patients who feel they have been treated like family.
People seem to know that your practice is the place to go for LASIK or refractive cataract surgery. What makes your practice different?
It’s not a coincidence… our practice is different by design. We have worked – and continue to work – very hard to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, instead of the clinical, impersonal feeling you can sometimes get at an eye practice. Because we’ve located our call center in a separate part of the office, our patients don’t hear ringing phones or appointments being scheduled. The focus is entirely on the patients. We have soft, ambient lighting and comfortable seating, and the walls feature beautiful art by local artists. It’s a relaxing, enjoyable place to be, and that contributes to the overall positive experience that we’re trying to create for our patients.
How do you do so many surgeries and still give
each patient such personal care and attention?
I have an amazing staff, and we work very hard to constantly improve our processes and become more efficient. We do a lot of research, analysis, and planning so that more of our time and attention can be dedicated to the patient. We also have incredible technology, often before anyone in our state or region has access to it. This requires more training and preparation initially, but improves the accuracy and efficiency of our surgeries.
Additionally, our surgery facility, Physician’s Eye Surgery Center, is used exclusively for eye surgery, so all of the anesthesiologists, staff, and equipment are dedicated solely to these procedures. This adds to the efficiency and success rate of our surgeries.
What advice would you give to someone considering vision correction surgery?
I’d say don’t wait until your life has become seriously impacted before having the surgery. People put it off out of fear, and also because they are unaware of how much their vision loss is affecting their lives. These procedures are incredibly safe, painless, and the recovery is usually very comfortable. You’re up and seeing within a day without any stitches, patches, or needles – not even an IV!
What kind of music do you listen to when you’re operating?
We encourage all of our patients to choose their own playlist for their surgery, so we hear everything from classical to big-band to heavy metal. It makes the experience more comfortable and personal, and I’ve been exposed to a lot of new music in the O.R. If they don’t have a preference, we listen to country, which is my favorite and which seems to be pretty well received.