Our Doctors

Louis Probst, M.D., Medical Director of TLC Refractive Centers

Dr. Probst completed residency training in Ophthalmology at the University of Western Ontario where he received four awards from his peers for outstanding achievement. He was selected from among ophthalmologists across North America for a surgical fellowship in corneal transplantation and refractive surgery at the University of Minnesota. The fellowship included training with world leaders in cornea and refractive surgery and treating patients from across the world with complex corneal conditions.

Dr. Probst began performing LASIK in Canada. He has since performed over 80,000 LASIK procedures using the best excimer lasers in the world, including the Bausch and Lomb Technolas 217, Nidek EC 5000, LaserSight LSX, Autonomous "flying spot" Ladar Vision, and the VISX Star s4 Smoothscan excimer lasers.

As Medical Director of TLC Refractive Centers and Assistant Professor of Anterior Segment and Refractive Surgery at the University of Western Ontario, Dr. Probst is one of the most experienced surgeons in world! He currently performs up to 200 LASIK procedures per week. Dr. Probst has given over 100 lectures and provides training to surgeons and eye doctors at refractive surgery conferences throughout the world from Brazil to India. He has published over 40 articles in peer-reviewed journals and 35 book chapters on refractive surgery. Dr. Probst recently co-authored his second reference textbook titled "The Art of LASIK", used by refractive surgeons and eye care professionals worldwide and is currently completing an instructional CD-ROM on LASIK techniques for refractive surgeons.

As a leader in LASIK, he developed several instruments specifically for refractive surgeons who perform LASIK procedures. Recently Dr. Probst was the first surgeon in Ontario to implant the new Implantable Contact Lens (ICL), designed to correct the vision of people with extremely high prescriptions and who may not have enough corneal thickness for laser vision correction. The results of this exciting new procedure have been extremely dramatic. Patients with -17.0 diopter prescriptions are fully corrected and see well the day after the procedure!

Dr. Probst's extensive experience and genuine concern for each patient is demonstrated through his calm and compassionate manner.

You can find more about Doctor Probst at www.lasikwithprobst.com

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David Donelson, M.D., Co-Medical Director

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Dr. Donelson received his medical degree from University of South Carolina and completed his residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Memphis. He has been a long-standing TLC surgeon and his LASIK experience dates back to 1998. Dr. Donelson is a Diplomate of the Academy of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He has been an established member of the South Carolina Medical Association and the Greenville County Medical Society. In addition to being an experienced LASIK surgeon, Dr. Donelson specializes in clear corneal cataract surgery and has performed more than 17,000 surgical procedures.

Raised in Virginia, Dr. Donelson has a lived in beautiful South Carolina for almost 30 years. He and his wife Susan have one daughter and he loves to golf.

You can find out more about Dr. Donelson at www.donelsoneye.com

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Derek Van Veen, O.D., Clinical Director

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Dr. Van Veen is a graduate of UAB College of Optometry, and has also completed a Masters in Physiological Optics. Before accepting his role as Clinical Director, Dr. Van Veen was in private practice in Spartanburg, S.C. where he focused on laser vision correction, ocular disease, specialty contact lenses, as well as primary care. Dr. Van Veen is a Professional/Continuing Education lecturer, a member of SCOA and AOA and has served as both President and Vice President of the Piedmont Optometric Society.

Dr. Van Veen enjoys participating in community activities. He is an avid reader and has a general love for all sports. In his spare time you're likely to find him running or on the golf course.

H. Keith Riddle Jr., M.D.

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TRAINING: Dr. Riddle received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina (MU his residency at the Storm Eye Institute where he served as Chief resident. He was then selected for a p fellowship in Laser Vision Correction and corneal transplantation at Corneal Consultants of Indiana .

LASIK EXPERIENCE: Dr. Riddle’s extensive LASIK experience dates back to 1996. He participated in FDA studies. He has served as the Co-Medical Director of TLC Charleston and Co-Medical Director of Laser Vision Correction at Carolina Centers for Sight along the Grand Strand.

MEMBERSHIPS: Dr.Riddle is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the South Carolina Medical Association. Dr. Riddle currently performs eye surgery at Laurens and Newberry County Hospitals.

MOST REASSURING WORDS FOR A PATIENT: “I’m here to provide excellence in laser vision correction with surgical confidence and compassionate care. I will also treat you as if you were family.”

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Dr. Riddle has participated in FDA studies concerning laser vision correction and has authorized papers in leading ophthalmology journals.

PERSONAL: Born and raised in beautiful Greenville, S.C. Dr. Riddle is married and has two small children. He is an avid outdoorsman and golfer.

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