Since 1991, the doctors at Caris Eye Centers have led the industry in state-of-the-art eye care and unparalleled customer service. Our practice is a full-service vision center that specializes in diagnosing and treating medical eye conditions such as glaucoma, conjunctivitis and cataracts to name a few. We also provide customized vision correction services including eyeglasses, contact lenses along with helping our patients sort through the increasing number of surgical options for vision correction. Our eye doctors utilize the latest computerized technology to provide a thorough assessment of your eye health and visual system.
No matter what your eye care need, Caris Eye Centers offers the latest treatments available delivered by friendly doctors and staff who care about our patients.
We also receive applause and kudos for our selection of the latest in fashion eyewear.
With two convenient locations to serve you, we are sure that you will be pleased with our professional service and friendly staff. Our office staff is specially trained to assist you with questions regarding appointments, fees, and insurance billing. We accept most insurance plans, including Medicare. Please be sure to ask an optometrist if you have any questions regarding your visit to our office. We look forward to going above and beyond your expectations to provide the answers you need to ensure the best possible results!
Whether you are looking for glasses, contact lenses, or laser vision correction, our eye doctors will give you the assurance that your eyes are healthy. Give us a call and schedule your appointment today – you will be glad you did!
Voted Best Of Forsyth 2020
We are so excited to be voted Best of Forsyth for 2020! Thank you to our community for your continued support!
About Our Team
Our team of eye care professionals is experienced and friendly. We’re here to help all patients understand their benefits, schedule appointments, and fulfill their eye doctor’s orders. Our practice can give you guidance in picking out your perfect pair of eyewear, and our friendly office staff is knowledgeable about billing and benefits coverage.
Dr. Gregory W. Payne
Dr. Gregory W. Payne, founder of Caris Eye Centers, is a native of Louisiana and has practiced in the Atlanta area since 1989. Dr. Payne attended Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana. To further his optometric training, he completed an internship in the treatment of Ocular Disease at Azar-Medivision Eye Center in New Orleans. Additionally, Dr. Payne is a board certified Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry and is a member of several professional organizations including the American Optometric Association and the Georgia Optometric Association where he has served as district president.
In his spare time, Dr. Greg enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Jo Ann Payne and his two children, Claire and Margaret.
Dr. Scott Emely
Dr. Scott Emely has practiced in the Atlanta area since 2006 after completing his residency in ocular disease at Omni Eye Services in Atlanta. Dr. Emely received his undergraduate degree in 2001 from Indiana University-Bloomington. He received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University School of Optometry in 2006. In addition, he is board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. Dr. Emely is a member of several professional organizations including the National Glaucoma Society, the American Optometric Association and the Georgia Optometric Association. Dr. Emely currently serves as President of the Georgia Optometric Association.
In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, listening to music, trying new restaurants, watching college basketball and cheering on the Indianapolis Colts. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Dr. Gina Borgnini-Emely who is also an optometrist with Caris Eye Centers along with their three young children. They live in the Cumming area and are very active in their neighborhood and community.
Dr. Timothy Spence
Dr. Timothy Spence, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has practiced in Atlanta for over 20 years. Dr. Spence is one of the few doctors in the Atlanta area to be both Board Certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry as well as a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Spence’s interest includes eye disease diagnosis and management, specialty contact lens fitting, and clinical Low Vision Rehabilitation. Dr. Spence received his doctor of Optometry degree from Ohio State University in 1990. He also completed a hospital based residency program at the Cleveland VA Medical Center. Dr. Spence has served as president of the Greater Atlanta Optometric Association, trustee to the Georgia Optometric Association, and is currently an active member of the American Optometric Association.
In his spare time Dr. Spence enjoys playing tennis, and spending time with his wife and three children.
Dr. Melanie Erickson
A native of Columbia, South Carolina, Dr. Melanie Erickson completed her undergraduate studies at the College of Charleston and graduated cum laude with a B.S. in biology and a minor in psychology. She received one of two scholarships awarded each year to South Carolina residents to attend the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she earned her Doctorate of Optometry degree. She participated in four international missions with Student Volunteers in Optometric Service to Humanity (SVOSH), providing eye care to under served areas in Honduras and Columbia. An officer in many organizations, she was also a member of Gold Key and Beta Sigma Kappa, honor societies for leadership and academic achievement.
After graduation, Dr. Erickson completed a primary eye care residency at the WJB Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina, focusing on geriatrics, ocular disease, specialty contact lens fits and low vision. She authored and co-authored several papers, posters, and presentations during her residency.
Dr. Erickson is a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, a distinction held by less than 30% of practicing optometrists in the U.S. She is a member of the American Optometric Association and Georgia Optometric Association and former President of the Greater Atlanta Optometric Association. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling and weight training, live music, trying new restaurants and traveling.
Dr. Gina Borgnini
Gina Borgnini, O.D. is a native of Indiana and has practiced in the Atlanta area since 2008. Dr. Borgnini received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Doctorate of Optometry from Indiana University. Following optometry school, she completed a residency in hospital-based optometry at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center through the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Optometry in 2007. In addition, she is board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry.
She specializes in diagnosing and treating dry eye, as well as other ocular disease including: glaucoma, diabetes, herpetic eye disease, eye injuries, infections and practices full-scope optometric care ranging from comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings to pre- and post-operative care for cataract and vision correction surgery. Dr. Borgnini is a member of the American Optometric Association, Georgia Optometric Association, Greater Atlanta Optometric Association and American Board of Optometry.
She has volunteered for the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, where she provides eye care to uninsured and underinsured Georgians and is also a volunteer for the Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program. Dr. Borgnini spends her spare time with her husband Scott and their three children, Max, Luca and newest addition, Carina. She enjoys traveling, spending time with their extended family and is an avid sports fan cheering on the Indiana Hoosiers and Indianapolis Colts.
Dr. Jo Ann Payne
Dr. Jo Ann Payne, co-founder of Caris Eye Centers, is a native of Blakely, Georgia and has practiced in the Atlanta area since 1990. Dr. Payne received her B.S. in Biology from Valdosta State University in 1985 before receiving her doctorate from Southern College of Optometry in 1990. To further her optometric training, Dr. Payne completed an internship in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Disease at Omni Eye Services in Atlanta. In 2015, Dr. Jo Ann Payne retired from active patient care so that she could spend more time with her two daughters.