Whose Eye Is It Anyway?

Dr. Renee Bovelle, a board-certified ophthalmologist, has performed thousands of LASIK, laser, ophthalmic, cataract, and botox procedures. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and her medical degree from Drew-UCLA School of Medicine. She completed her internship at a Johns Hopkins-affiliated hospital and her residency in ophthalmology at Yale University, where she served as chief resident.

Following her residency, Dr. Bovelle completed a cornea and refractive surgery fellowship at the Louisiana State University Eye Center under the direction of Dr. Herbert Kaufman, one of the world’s leading corneal and refractive surgeons. She continues to augment her education with additional training in the disciplines of oculoplastics and aesthetics. Dr. Bovelle has been performing surgery since 1993.

Throughout her career, Dr. Bovelle has distinguished herself in the field of ophthalmology. She served as an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Louisiana State University, and has worked at the National Institutes of Health. Her work in ophthalmology includes clinical research on the latest devices used in modern refractive surgery.

Dr. Bovelle is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Her professional affiliations include the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and the Ocular Nutrition Society. Her practice is located in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, where she resides.

Dr. Mohammad Rafieetary is a consultative optometric physician who has been in practice at the Charles Retina Institute (CRI) since 1996. Dr. Rafieetary is a graduate of Boston University and received his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

He completed a residency in primary care optometry and ocular disease at the Southern College of Optometry (SCO) and the Memphis Health Center. Upon completion of his residency in 1989, Dr. Rafieetary joined SCO’s faculty and served as an associate professor and the Chief of Advanced Ocular Disease Service at the Southern College of Optometry until he joined CRI.

Dr. Rafieetary has received several awards, including the SCO Faculty of the Year, the American Diabetic Association’s National Achievement of Distinction Award, and the Tennessee Associations of Optometric Physician’s Optometrist of the Year. He has served on the board of several professional organizations, such as the Church Health Center and the American Diabetes Association.

Dr. Rafieetary is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and Optometric Retina Society. He is board-certified by the American Board of Optometry as well as the American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry.

Dr. Rafieetary is published in numerous professional publications and lectures extensively on the subject of diseases of the eye with emphasis on conditions of the retina and vitreous.

Dorothy Hitchmoth, OD, FAAO retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs and moved her Hanover private practice to New London in 2018 where she has lived for the past 26 years. Dr. Hitchmoth's career in academic medicine and product innovation has led her colleagues to dub her "America's Eye Doctor." She is a nationally recognized, award-winning professor, lecturer and patient advocate who has worked as a physician executive in large hospital and multi-practice networks for over 26 years. She has authored countless scientific papers, editorials and book chapters. She continues to be featured on television, radio, and across the social media spectrum. She has also appeared in documentary films one of which will be released in 2022.