Call Now
Website
Call
Business Details
10 Years
experience
Your Trusted Eye Care Specialists in Chattanooga
DiStefano Eye Center has been serving patients in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia since 2016, offering advanced ophthalmology services tailored to individual needs. Our team, led by Board-Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Deborah DiStefano, combines extensive expertise with state-of-the-art technology to deliver personalized eye care solutions. Dr. DiStefano, a Harvard University-trained medical doctor and former Chairperson of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, brings over 20,000 LASIK procedures and global recognition for her specialty in corneal treatments. We specialize in refractive surgery, cataract microsurgery with premium lens options, glaucoma management, and dry eye treatments, ensuring comprehensive care for diverse vision needs. Our commitment to innovation is evident in our adoption of blade-free LASIK, laser-assisted cataract procedures, and implantable lenses for refractive correction.

Patients benefit from our focus on patient education, transparent communication, and follow-up care that prioritizes long-term eye health. With locations in Chattanooga, TN, we provide accessible, high-quality services ranging from routine eye exams to complex surgical interventions. Our practice maintains affiliations with leading industry platforms to offer cutting-edge lens technologies and treatment methodologies. We measure success through patient outcomes like improved productivity and quality of life, as evidenced by testimonials from satisfied clients such as advertising professional Tifini B. Our operational philosophy centers on combining medical excellence with compassionate care, ensuring each patient receives individualized attention from consultation through recovery.
Services
LASIK Surgery Cataract Microsurgery Glaucoma Management Dry Eye Treatment Implantable Lenses Eye Exams Corneal Transplants Blepharoplasty Diabetic Retinopathy Care Macular Degeneration Treatment
Details
  • Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
  • We offer over 20 years of specialized ophthalmology experience.
  • Our team includes Harvard University-trained medical professionals.
  • We perform advanced blade-free LASIK and laser-assisted cataract surgery.
  • We provide personalized treatment plans with premium lens options.
  • Our practice maintains affiliations with leading ophthalmology technology platforms.
Associations and certifications
  • Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
What people say
Life-changing LASIK Expert cataract care Personalized service Highly qualified professionals Improved productivity
Services
LASIK Surgery
Custom LASIK procedures correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism using blade-free laser technology. Our Board-Certified Ophthalmologist performs personalized treatments based on corneal mapping and patient lifestyle needs. Patients benefit from improved vision quality without glasses or contacts, with many achieving 20/20 vision post-procedure.
Cataract Surgery
Laser-assisted cataract removal replaces clouded natural lenses with premium intraocular options like Crystalens or ReSTOR. This outpatient procedure restores clear vision while correcting presbyopia and astigmatism. Our surgeons use advanced imaging for precise implant placement and optimal visual outcomes.
Glaucoma Management
Comprehensive glaucoma treatment includes medicated eye drops, laser trabeculectomy, and microsurgery to control intraocular pressure. Regular monitoring with OCT imaging detects early optic nerve damage. We develop personalized plans to prevent vision loss from this progressive disease.
Dry Eye Treatment
Advanced therapies address chronic dry eye through punctal plugs, prescription medications, and PROKERA amniotic membrane grafts. We identify underlying causes like meibomian gland dysfunction to create effective, long-term relief strategies for improved ocular comfort and health.
Implantable Lenses
Visian implantable collamer lenses provide permanent vision correction for patients with high myopia or thin corneas unsuitable for LASIK. These biocompatible lenses sit behind the iris to improve visual acuity without altering corneal structure, offering an alternative to traditional refractive surgery.
People
Dr. Deborah DiStefano
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Harvard-trained ophthalmologist with over 20,000 LASIK procedures performed. Former Chairperson of UTC's Ophthalmology Department and featured in CBS's 60 Minutes Best Doctors in America segment. Specializes in corneal transplants and refractive surgery.
Questions
What eye surgeries do you specialize in?
We specialize in LASIK vision correction, cataract microsurgery with premium lenses, glaucoma procedures, and corneal transplants using advanced laser technology.
Are financing options available for procedures?
Yes, we offer financing plans to make vision correction and eye surgeries more accessible for qualified patients.
How do I determine if I'm a LASIK candidate?
We provide free evaluations to assess your eye health, prescription stability, and corneal thickness to determine LASIK eligibility.
What premium lens options exist for cataract surgery?
We offer Crystalens, Tecnis, and ReSTOR premium intraocular lenses to correct vision at multiple distances after cataract removal.
Do you treat complex eye conditions?
Yes, our team manages diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal disorders using the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies.
Reviews (4)
Judy Mahoney
Feb 15, 2022 Report
Excellent professional service with compassion. Wonderful staff very friendly and helpful. Doctors DiStefano and Ridner both excellent. I'm very pleased with all the services provided.
Isaac B.
Oct 05, 2021 Report
My mother was referred to Dr. Courtney Ridner who is part of this group. She was scared and stressed after suddenly losing sight in one eye. Dr. Ridner was condescending and rude - immediately telling my mother that the symptom was due to her failure to take care of her health. Not only was his lack of a bedside manner uncalled for, but his assumptions were wrong. Luckily, upon seeing a specialist, she was treated with dignity and respect and it was found that her symptom was not caused by anything she had done.or not done. Honesty is valuable in medical care - but there is much to be said for forethought, compassion, and humility.
Lisa & Tim Haynes
Jun 22, 2021 Report
Katelin is fantastic! She has worked diligently to get the best possible eye correction prescription possible for my eyes. Shows empathy, really listens and is so encouraging. Thankful for her care. (Previous RK, Post cataract surgery)
J. P.
May 02, 2020 Report
I can't recommend Dr. Courtney Ridner enough. He performed cataract surgery on my husband and it couldn't have gone any smoother. We were recommended to him by another doctor in town and were told Dr. Ridner has impressive training and credentials making him one of the best qualified cataract doctors around. He has an excellent manner about him and we felt very comfortable right away. The results were terrific and we wouldn't hesitate to recommend him.