Ian W. McWherter, O.D., F.A.A.O., Diplomate A.B.O.

Meet Dr. McWherter

Dr. Ian W. McWherter is a highly accomplished optometrist with extensive expertise in ocular disease, optometric surgery, and emerging technologies in eye care. He graduated with highest honors from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in 2012. His clinical training included rotations at Veterans’ hospitals in Charleston, SC, and Muskogee, OK, as well as private practices in Fairfax, VA, and Savannah, GA.

Following his doctorate, Dr. McWherter was selected for the prestigious Optometric Residency Program at Bennett & Bloom Eye Centers, specializing in ocular disease. He earned the Optometric Residency Matching Service’s Scholarship for achieving one of the top four scores nationwide on the National Optometry Boards in his residency class. Upon completing his 13-month post-doctoral training, he practiced in the Kentuckiana region before returning to Bennett & Bloom Eye Centers as a full-time consultative optometrist in 2014.

Dr. McWherter has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He was named “Best in Class 2012” by Vision Monday for his outstanding academic performance and was honored as the Kentucky Optometric Association’s Young Optometrist of the Year in 2018. In 2011, he won first place in the prestigious Varilux Optometry Student Bowl, a national academic competition. He is also a recipient of the Alumni Association Award, the Clinical Excellence Citation, the Beta Sigma Kappa Award, and is a member of the Gold Key International Optometric Honor Society.

Outside his clinical expertise, Dr. McWherter is a pioneer in AI-driven telemedicine. He is the Founder & CEO of Telasight, a cutting-edge AI telemedicine company dedicated to helping eye care providers make more effective clinical decisions. His work has also led to several U.S. patents, reinforcing his commitment to advancing technology in optometry and improving patient outcomes.

Furthering this commitment to advancing the field of optometry, Dr. McWherter serves as Head of Optometric Telemedicine and Emerging Technologies for the Kentucky College of Optometry at the University of Pikeville. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Indiana University School of Optometry and Vice President of the Louisville Glaucoma Society. Dr. McWherter is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of the American Society of Optometric Surgeons. He remains actively involved with the American Optometric Association and the Kentucky Optometric Association.

Beyond his clinical, academic, and entrepreneurial roles, Dr. McWherter is dedicated to community service, volunteering with local charities to help provide eye care to homeless and uninsured patients.  

With his extensive knowledge, leadership, and commitment to patient care, Dr. McWherter continues to be a trusted expert in optometry, providing the most up to date solutions to improve vision and eye health.