Associate Professor, Ophthalmology
Director Cornea & External Disease
Residency Program Director
Dr. Estes completed her undergraduate education at Davidson College in North Carolina. She then went on to receive her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine where she graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honors society. Following medical school, she completed her ophthalmology residency and a fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Dr. Estes joined the faculty at the Medical College of Georgia in 2013 and focuses upon medical treatment of diseases involving the cornea. She also performs a variety of surgical procedures including corneal transplantation (penetrating keratoplasty and endothelial keratoplasty – DSEK and DMEK), cataract extraction, pterygium excision, removal of corneal and conjunctival tumors, and ocular surface reconstruction. She has presented research at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons involving outcomes related to the use of topical non-steroidal versus steroid anti-inflammatories following cataract surgery and is involved in basic science research at this institution related to corneal conditions and glaucoma. Dr. Estes is currently participating in three separate NIH R01 grant-funded research studies involving the genetics of keratoconus, the impact of vitamin D on the cornea, and proteomic biomarkers in glaucoma. This research has led to multiple publications. Dr. Estes has lectured at local and regional meetings throughout her time at MCG. She has served as a councilor on the board of the Georgia Society of Ophthalmology and was recently elected to serve as vice president of the organization. She has received several awards for exemplary teaching and is currently the Ophthalmology Residency Program Director.
Summary: The cornea specialist addresses many issues that are vital to the focusing apparatus
of the eye. There are many diseases that can reduce the clarity which may need treatment
with drops or surgery to restore vision.
Care areas: Corneal scarring, herpetic eye disease, corneal transplantation, keratoconus, ectasia.
Key symptoms: Blurry vision not corrected by glasses, painful eye, foreign body sensation, discomfort.
Primary: Cornea & External Disease
BS Biology Davidson College (2003)
MD The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health (2007)
Transitional Internship University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (2008)
Ophthalmology Residency Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (2011)
Cornea & Refractive Surgery Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (2013)
Board Certified American Board of Ophthalmology (2013)
