About The Eye Institute: Your Partner in Vision & Style

Dr. Palo earned his Doctor of Optometry and Vision Science degree with clinical honors from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in 2011, following a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Human Nutrition from North Carolina State University in 2006.

He went on to complete a residency in Primary Care Optometry at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, NC. During his residency, Dr. Palo not only provided advanced clinical care but also delivered educational lectures to local physicians on topics ranging from anterior and posterior segment diseases to neuro-ophthalmic conditions. He also dedicated time to community outreach by providing eye exams to underserved populations in Wake County.

Following residency, Dr. Palo served as an associate optometrist in eastern North Carolina before taking on the role of Medical Director at a large multi centered practice in Pennsylvania. In 2016, he returned to his home state of North Carolina to form The Eye Institute, where he focuses his practice on comprehensive care and ocular surface disease management.

He has served as an expert witness for multiple cases in North Carolina and started his own frame line for The Eye Institute in 2018.

Dr. Palo is an active member of the American Optometric Association and he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Palo enjoys traveling and staying active through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, swimming, and biking.

Favorite quote: “Even if you fall on your face, you’re still moving forward.” – Victor Kiam

Dr. Tim Poirier was born in California and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 1988 with a degree in Biological Science. Dr. Poirier earned his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1992.

He has extensive experience in the treatment and management of ocular disease, contact lenses, and corneal reshaping therapy.

He lives in Knightdale with his wife Kristin and their four children Blair, Brooks, Brett, and Ben. He served on the Knightdale Town Council for 14 years and has served as a past president of the Knightdale Chamber of Commerce. He enjoys coaching his children’s soccer, baseball, and basketball teams and playing golf.”

Dr. Kajal Dhebaria completed her Doctor of Optometry degree from Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in 2012. She is originally from New Jersey where she received her Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences from Rutgers University.

After graduating school, she lead the Raleigh branch for an Ophthalmology practice focusing on a range of ocular disease to routine eye care. She brings a wealth of experience to The Eye Institute from her training in surgical pre- and post-operative care, management, and treatment of ocular disease, with a special focus on Dry Eye Syndrome. She also fits contact lenses and enjoys pediatric eye care.

Dr. Dhebaria moved to North Carolina in 2012 with her husband and they firmly call Raleigh home, where they are raising their daughter. She enjoys traveling, fitness classes, crafts and family time. Dr. Dhebaria is fluent in Gujarati and speaks Hindi.

Dr. Dan Yoakum, a native of Indiana, moved to Raleigh in 1985. He graduated cum laude from NC State with a Bachelors degree in Microbiology and a minor in Genetics. He attended the prestigious Pennsylvania College of Optometry where he graduated in 1995 with Clinical Honors. He completed general Optometric externships at Quantico Naval base and Hahnemann University School of Medicine, and a Pediatric externship at The Eye Institute of Philadelphia. Dr. Yoakum has been practicing as a licensed Optometrist for over 25 years. He is a member of the American Optometric Association and NC State Optometric Society.

Dr. Yoakum is married to Kim, who works in our optical department. They have four children, three of whom are triplets. Dr. Yoakum is active in his church and in his spare time he enjoys working out, hiking, reading and learning to play the banjo. He is also an avid N.C. State fan….Go Pack!

Dr. Aleshia Luu is a native of Pennsylvania and relocated to Raleigh in 2016. She received her undergraduate degree in biology from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and then matriculated into professional school at The Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She completed the accelerated program and graduated in 2009 with clinical honors.

After graduation Dr. Luu spent 7 years working in general ophthalmology where she gained experience in treatment and management of ocular diseases including dry eye disease, glaucoma and macular degeneration. She also provided pre and post-op surgical care for both LASIK and cataract patients.

In 2019 she became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, an accomplishment which only 10% of all optometrists reach. In 2021 she was ranked one of the top optometrists in the nation by Newsweek. She is an active member of the American Optometric Association and the North Carolina Optometric Society.

Dr. Luu enjoys cooking, running, pilates, outdoor activities and immersing herself in as much family time as she can get.

Andrew Halton OD graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University with clinical honors and advanced studies in contact lenses in 2021. Andrew is originally from Philadelphia and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Neuroscience. After completing optometry school, Andrew completed a 1-year post-graduate training program at Rochester Regional Health|Reed Eye Associates in Rochester, NY. This training focused on ocular diseases and specialty contact lens fitting. Andrew fits a variety of lenses, ranging from soft lenses to more advanced cases requiring gas permeable, hybrid, or scleral lenses. Andrew’s training provides knowledge and experience to help those with conditions including keratoconus, post-surgical ectasia, high myopia and irregular astigmatism.

Andrew is committed to providing compassionate care and comprehensive vision treatment to all patients in the community. Andrew sees every patient as an individual, offering personalized care in a warm, welcoming environment. Andrew’s significant other, Dr. Sharon Guarino, and their dog, Boots have also moved down to NC. The trio looks forward to exploring, hiking, and enjoying all the outdoor adventures that NC has to offer. You can schedule an appointment with Andrew at the North Raleigh and Knightdale locations.

Dr. Adam Sauls is a native of the Raleigh area. Dr. Sauls earned his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in Exercise Science. He then attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry where he attained his Doctor of Optometry. Dr. Sauls is happy to be back in Raleigh and is passionate about providing high quality care for the community that helped to raise him.

During his training, Dr. Sauls gained valuable experience with ocular disease and primary care optometry by providing care to the nation’s veterans at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He also has training in fitting contact lenses, dry eye management and pediatric optometry. Dr. Sauls is an active member of the American Optometric Association and the North Carolina Optometric Society. He currently serves on the Industry Relations Committee of the American Optometric Association, and was awarded with the 2023 President’s Award by the AOA Board of Trustees for the exemplary dedication to optometry and the advancement of the profession.

Away from the office, Dr. Sauls enjoys spending time with friends and family, being an active member of his church, and playing golf.

A native of the East Coast. Born and raised in Gloucester, VA she moved to Charleston SC in 1997 and pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at The College of Charleston. After working in that field for several years she went on to receive her Master’s Degree in HR Management in 2006.

In 2008 Lindsay moved to Raleigh NC and started her family. She is the proud mother of Landon and Zachary. Lindsay has been in Management and Leadership roles in both the Mental Health and Optical industries since 2002.

She joined The Eye Institute in September 2017 as the Operations Director and she is very excited to assist with the growth of The Eye Institute.

Born and raised outside of Raleigh, NC, Flora started in the Optical/ Ophthalmology industry in 1998 at a private practice in Cary, NC. She began her knowledge of Eye Care and corrective lenses there and knew quickly it was what she loved and is passionate about.

Flora has managed multiple offices over the past twenty years and worked in every area of the industry. She has a plethora of experience in frame selection and patient care. She builds strong relationships with her patients and peers that have maintained throughout her career.

She understands good vision is a gift and not only do corrective lenses allow you to see clearly but also are a part of your personality. We all want to look good and see well!

In her free time, she loves to travel, spend time with her family and her three beloved dogs.

Kristin is a North Carolina native. She began her career in ophthalmology 12 years ago, completing the Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technician Program at Duke. Kristin joined the TEI family in 2021 as a technician, where her passion for optometry and dedication to both our patients and our team have earned her the role of Assistant General Manager of our Knightdale location.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling and spending quality time with her husband Adam, sons Eli and Riley and their dog Crash.

Started in the Optical Industry in 1988 as a lab technician for Pearle Vision Centers in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After two years he went to work for New City Optical, a wholesale lab in Virginia Beach, where he worked as a Lab Supervisor for 12 years. While there he attended and graduated from the Opticians Apprenticeship Program at Norfolk Vocational/Technical School where he received his ABO Certification and his Optician License from the state of Virginia.

Three years after graduating he became an instructor at the Opticians Apprenticeship Program. In 2002 he relocated to the Raleigh area and became the General Manager at Southern Optical Co. in Morrisville. In July of 2007, He joined The Eye Institute (formerly Knightdale Eye Care) staff.

Rob lives in Knightdale with his wife Lori who is also an Optician. He is also very involved in his church and enjoys serving in different areas of need. In his spare time, he enjoys the outdoors, running and spending time with his grandson.

Tiffany is originally from a small town in Western Massachusetts, but in 2016 she relocated with her husband to North Carolina.

Tiffany joined the optical field in 2013 as a receptionist and over the years has spent time in each role within the field.

In 2018, she joined The Eye Institute as an optician and has since grown to become the Training and Leadership Development Manager for the company.

In her spare time, you can find Tiffany exploring new places, baking sweet treats, or spending time with her husband Justin and her daughter Cecilia.

I pursued an optical career because I wanted to serve my community in a meaningful way so in 2018 I took a job as an optical associate for a private practice. For the next three years I continue to hone my skills as I work towards my degree to become a Licensed Dispensing Optician.

In 2020 I graduated cum laude and finished my externship. In 2021 I received my licenses and joined the TEI team as optical lab support only to be promoted to lab manager the following year.

In my spare time I enjoy creating art, listening to music, and traveling.

Ashley started in the optical industry in 2003. She graduated from North Carolina State University in 2006 with a degree in Agricultural Management. She joined Knightdale Eye Care in 2009.

After graduating she decided to pursue her North Carolina optician’s license and completed the Durham Technical Community College optician program in May of 2011.

Ashley then went on to pass the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiner’s exams in 2012 followed by the North Carolina State Board of Optician’s Exam in 2014 and earned her NC Optician’s License.

Ashley and her husband Trey, along with their daughter Avery, live in Archer’s Lodge. Ashley and her family enjoy traveling and spending time at Kerr Lake along with their dogs, Jed and JJ.

Maria was born in Silver Springs, MD and came to North Carolina with her family in 1998. She entered the eye care industry in 2009, where she gained experience in customer service and insurance verification.

Maria joined The Eye Institute family in 2018 expanding her knowledge as an optometric technician.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Luis, and her children, Kimberly, Kayley, Kelsey, and Kamilla.

Kimberly Underwood brings over 15 years of recruiting experience and 6 years in human resources to our team. Over the last two years, she has worked in the medical field, building on her strong foundation in HR and her background in nursing education. Her passion for supporting both patients and staff makes her a valuable asset in a healthcare setting.

Originally from Maury County, Tennessee, Kimberly has spent the last 25 years in Holly Spring’s.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband (Shawn) and their two kids (Raegan and Cameron), attending UNC football and basketball games, and horseback riding.