Melonie Clemmons, O. D.

Dr. Clemmons, a native to Gilmer County, practices full scope comprehensive eyecare, with a focus on dry eye management and ocular disease prevention. Dr. Clemmons holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Berry College in Rome, Georgia and a Doctorate of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. She completed her first internship in ocular pathology from the Omni Eye Care in Atlanta, Georgia, which specializes in glaucoma, retinal pathology, cornea disorders, and cataract co-management. Her second internship, under the supervision of Dr. Mark Gottlieb, Stone Mountain, Georgia, focused on vision therapy, low vision treatments, and contact lenses.

Dr. Clemmons has lectured for contact and pharmaceutical companies such as Alcon and Vistakon and has served as a Vistakon Clinical Investigator for the Acuvue Oasys for Astigmatism contact lens. She has also served as a consultant for the Walmart Doctor Advisory Panel (2005-2007) in Bentonville, Arkansas. She currently lectures on nutrition, with an emphasis on how nutrition affects the vascular system and ocular health, as well as innovative dry eye treatments. Dr. Clemmons has been featured in Eye Care Business Magazine (2005), Foresight Magazine (2007), Acuity in Business Magazine (2009), the AACO Electrifeye Journal (2018), and the GOA 5@5 Newsletter (2018).

Dr. Clemmons was presented with the Above and Beyond Service Award (2005) and Optometrist of the Year for the Southeast in 2010 by Walmart Stores, Inc. She was also awarded the Media Spokesperson for Transition Lenses (2009) and participated in their national media tour based out of New York City. She appeared on several T.V. morning shows including NBC, CBS, and FOX networks. She was presented with the Beacon of Hope Award (2017) from the Georgia Lion’s Lighthouse Foundation for her office’s work in providing exams for the under-insured, and received the American Association of Corporate Optometrists (AACO) Member of the Year Award (2018) for her contributions. She has also been recognized for her community service, as well as her two associate doctors, by local organizations such as the Women of Domestic Violence (2013), The Hope House (2004-2011), and The Good Samaritan.

Dr. Clemmons currently serves as a Trustee At Large for the Georgia Optometric Association, is currently the Vice-President Elect of the American Association of Corporate Optometrists (AACO), and is a member of the Ocular Wellness Nutrition Society (OWNS.) She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, walking and cooking. She, her husband, Rob, and little girl, Ana-Verie, reside in Woodstock, Georgia.

Dr. Andre Baron

Andre M. Baron, O.D. – Optometric Physician

Dr. Andre Baron was born and raised in Jupiter Florida.  Following his graduation from Florida State University in 1997 with a bachelors degree in Biology, He went on to graduate from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2001.

Dr. Baron completed clinical rotations at The Eye Institute at NSU in Fort Lauderdale as well as the University of Miami’s prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Additional rotations led Dr. Baron to Jacksonville, Florida.  There he studied and practiced at Liane Downtown Eye Associates under the direction of Florida optometrist of the decade Dr. Peter Liane, receiving honors for his rotation.  Dr. Baron also completed ocular disease rotations with some of the top ophthalmology practices in Jacksonville, including The Southern Eye Institute, Retina Associates of Jacksonville, The Maida Lasik Vision Center, and The Baptist Eye Institute. There he received advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, diseases of the retina including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and diseases and disorders of the cornea including dry eye disease and ocular infections. 

After his clinical rotations, Dr. Baron practiced at Dr. Ted Brink and Associates in Jacksonville prior to starting his own practice inside a Pearle Vision in Orlando, Florida in 2007.  In 2009 he was invited to sit on the Pearle Vision Optometric Advisory Council, a select group dedicated to working with other Pearle Vision affiliated doctors to improve the patient experience and care across the country.  He was also a member of the Luxottica One Sight Foundation which provides no cost eye exams and glasses to the under privileged.  

In 2011 he moved to Young Harris, Georgia and began practice at Ellijay Eye Care.

Dr. Baron lives in Young Harris with his wife, Monica and his two children Max and Charlie.  In his spare time he enjoys fishing, camping, traveling and spending time with his family.