Welcome to
Eye Center
of Charleston
Medical and Surgical Treatment of Eye Disease
Continuing a Tradition of Excellence in Medical and Surgical Eye Care for over 40 years! Our physicians and staff are dedicated to providing outstanding, personalized eye care to the residents of Greater Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry.
:: Our Commitment to You ::
Our team uses the most advanced technology along with our esteemed clinical and surgical skills to precisely diagnose and treat a wide variety of eye conditions and diseases.
Surgical
Cataract Surgery
Cataracts can cause vision loss. The good news is cataract surgery is an overall safe, effective surgical procedure that can dramatically improve vision and reduce your dependence on eye glasses. The doctors at the Eye Center of Charleston have the surgical expertise to perform this life-changing procedure.
Laser and Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
Glaucoma is an eye disease where high pressure in the eye can cause optic nerve damage, possibly resulting in vision loss. Therefore, controlling eye pressure is the primary focus of treatment. Severe vision loss can be avoided in most patients, but early intervention is critical. Some patients need more than topical eye drops to help with their pressure, while others want to have less eye drop dependence. Along with medical treatment, several safe and effective procedures are available, including laser trabeculoplasty and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. Talk with your eye doctor at Eye Center of Charleston to learn more.
Pterygium Surgery
A pterygium is a benign growth on the surface of the eye that can lead to blurry vision. Most pterygia occur in patients with a long history of sunlight or UV light exposure. The doctors at the Eye Center of Charleston are trained in the surgical treatment of pterygia.
Meet the Doctors
John C. Kulze III, M.D.
Serving the Charleston area for over 25 years with valued leadership and respect amongst colleagues and patients, Dr. Kulze has become one of the top ophthalmologists and cataract surgeons in the Lowcountry. Dr. Kulze received his Bachelor’s degree from Clemson and M.D. from MUSC.
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He remained at MUSC for his ophthalmology residency training, where he served as chief resident. As an ophthalmologist in the U.S. Army, he instructed other ophthalmologists in the most up to date cataract surgical techniques and treated many wounded soldiers in Operation Desert Storm. He has participated in numerous medical missions to South America, where he used his exceptional surgical skills in the most primitive environments to restore vision to the medically underserved. Dr. Kulze is the Chief of Ophthalmology at Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital.
Specialties
Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Medical, Laser, and Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIGS) for the treatment of Glaucoma
Memberships
Charleston Ophthalmological Society
American Academy of Ophthalmology
South Carolina Medical Society
JOHN ELLYN, M.D.
Dr. Ellyn, beloved by colleagues and patients alike, has practiced ophthalmology in the Charleston area for over 30 years. Formerly working as a self-employed ophthalmologist in downtown Charleston, Dr. Ellyn has been with the Eye Center of Charleston since 2014. He has always had a passion for education and is a past recipient of the esteemed “Opthalmology Golden Apple Award” for outstanding teaching excellence, awarded by the Storm Eye Institute at MUSC.
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Dr. Ellyn is also published author in several journals in the field of ophthalmology. Having raised his family in the Charleston area, Dr. Ellyn is an avid fisherman and can be found in the waterways of Charleston in his spare time.
Charles Beischel, M.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Beischel has lived in the Charleston area for over 25 years, and currently splits time between practicing comprehensive ophthalmology at the Eye Center of Charleston and teaching cataract surgery at the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center. A forever favorite amongst colleagues and patients, Dr. Beischel has twice been awarded the distinguished Pierre Gautier Jenkins Award for his excellence in teaching MUSC opthalmology residents cataract surgery.
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Originally from Ohio, he graduated summa cum laude from Xavier University, then completed his MD and PhD at the Medical University of South Carolina. He served as Chief Resident in his final year of ophthalmology residency at MUSC’s Storm Eye Institute while earning the Program Director’s award twice due to his outstanding work as an ophthalmology resident. He holds extensive experience in clinical and basic science research, authoring numerous publications in the field of ophthalmology. Dr. Beischel is a devoted father to his daughters Grace and Helen. In his spare time, he can be found running 5K and 10K races around town, playing poker with neighborhood friends, and walking his dog, Captain.
Specialties
Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Memberships
Charleston Ophthalmological Society
South Carolina Society of Ophthalmology
American Academy of Ophthalmology
South Carolina Medical Society
Sudeep K Das, M.D.
Dr. Das is a native of South Carolina and has lived in Charleston for over twelve years. His goal is to provide ophthalmologic care to his patients with the utmost compassion and excellence. He completed his undergraduate training at Vanderbilt University where he graduated magna cum laude with a major economics and a minor in neuroscience. After college, Dr. Das attended the Medical University of South Carolina for medical school and then completed his ophthalmology training at the Storm Eye Institute.
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Dr. Das first became interested in ophthalmology during his medical school training. His passion for the field developed as he learned more about the precision of eye surgery, various eye pathology, the rewarding doctor-patient relationship, and the opportunity for impactful medical mission’s work. During his time at MUSC, he was inducted into both the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. In order to gain a more well-rounded understanding of the systemic diseases that affect the eye, he decided to complete his internship in Internal medicine at MUSC. During his ophthalmology residency at Storm Eye, Dr. Das participated extensively in volunteer work with the Fight for Sight Program and Respectable as well as in research including glaucoma and physician wellness. He currently also works at the Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center serving our nations veterans and teaching cataract surgery to residents at the Storm Eye Institute.
Outside of the clinic and OR, Dr. Das enjoys spending quality time outside or traveling with his family which include his wife, son, and Boykin spaniel. He is an avid fisherman, and, on any given weekend, he can be found fly fishing, mountain streams or pushing pelagics offshore. He is also an active member of his church and looks forward to using his ophthalmologic training to serve through medical missions both locally and abroad.
Robert House, M.D.
Dr. House is a Charleston transplant, having been born and raised in Salina, Kansas. From a young age, Dr. House began volunteering on international service trips with his mother (herself an ophthalmologist), in places such as India, Nigeria, Peru, and Guatemala. He was able to witness first-hand the impact that sight restoring surgery can have on a patient, their family, as well as the community, and was inspired to become an ophthalmologist. He attended the University of Kansas for his undergraduate education where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Anthropology. Dr. House then attended medical school at the San Juan Bautista School of Medicine in Caguas, Puerto Rico, where he completed his medical training in both the English and Spanish languages. During this time, he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society and graduated magna cum laude.
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After finishing medical school, Dr. House completed a clinical research fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology at the prestigious Duke University, where he contributed to several prospective and retrospective studies, in addition to coordinating multiple NIH-funded projects. He then completed his intern year at Augusta University and attended ophthalmology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. House’s interest include comprehensive ophthalmology, cataract surgery, ophthalmic imaging, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). He has authored several publications in major medical journals.
Outside of ophthalmology, Dr. House enjoys spending time with his wife (Desiree), daughter (Lucia), and English golden retriever (Mila). He is an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs football team and the University of Kansas basketball program.
Meet the Team
Click HerePatient Education
Click on the images below to learn more about vision conditions, medical conditions and physician services!
Optical Shop
Offering the latest technology in Varilux Progressives, Transitions, Crizal Anti-Reflective Lenses, Prescription Polarized Sunglasses and Thin Lightweight Lenses.
Wide Selection of Frames
Kate Spade, Lilly Pulitzer, Elle, Dolabany, Carrera and more
Sunglasses
Carrera, Eddie Bauer, Costa, Kate Spade, Juicy Couture and more
Karen Norman
Licensed Optician – Since 2007
Karen is a lifelong resident of the Lowcountry and has extensive experience working in the optical field for over 32 years. She has been licensed since 1996 and has been with Professional Optical for 16 years, providing exceptional customer service and optical knowledge.
Stephanie McLeod
Apprentice Optician – Since 2022
Stephanie is a native of the Lowcountry and began her optical career in 1989. She has experience in all aspects from lab to dispensing. After embarking on two other careers and raising her children she returned to optical and joined Professional Optical in 2022.
Patient Forms
To save time in our waiting room, we encourage you to download, fill out and bring in the required patient forms. For your first appointment, you’ll also need:
Health Insurance Card(s) | Photo ID
Any additional health coverage information
Locations
With two locations in the Greater Charleston area, Eye Center of Charleston is ready to treat your medical and surgical eyecare needs!
Charleston
2270 Ashley Crossing Dr. Suite 100
Charleston, SC 29414
843.556.2357
Goose Creek
149 St. James Ave.
Goose Creek, SC 29445
843.556.2357
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