OUR EYE DOCTOR

Dr Merritt is a native of Jacksonville and was raised in Mandarin. She graduated from Wolfson High School and then attended the University of North Florida receiving a BA in Biology in 1988. While she was working on her undergraduate degree she was employed by a local optometrist for a few years. That experience sparked her interest in eye care. Therefore, she decided to further her education and later received a doctorate of optometry in 1992 from the University of Houston College of Optometry. After doing an extra rotation at a contact lens clinic in Houston and an externship at the Santa Fe Indian Hospital in Santa Fe NM she returned to St Augustine. 

Dr Merritt has been practicing in the northeast Florida area for over 27 years. During that time, she has been an associate in various practices but has most enjoyed being affiliated with Bob Ham Eyewear. She has great respect for Bob and his staff for their professionalism and their caring attitude towards all the patients. At this Mandarin office she provides comprehensive eye exams including evaluation for cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye diseases. She also offers contact lens fittings for soft and rigid spherical, astigmatic, monovision, and multifocal contact lenses as well as instruction for proper care and cleaning. Medical exams and treatment for routine eye conditions such as dry eyes and conjunctivitis are offered as well as diabetic eye exams and medical/surgical referrals. She strives to provide personalized care with an attention to detail in a friendly atmosphere. As Christ-centered businesses both Dr Merritt and Bob Ham and his staff consider their patients family, striving to treat others as they would like to be treated. 

Professionally she is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Florida Optometric Association, the local Northeast Florida Optometric Society, and the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists. Personally, Dr Merritt is married to husband David of 27 years and they have two adult children and a sweet daughter-in-law. They enjoy spending time with family and friends and travelling as well as being actively involved at Fruit Cove Baptist Church. She feels blessed to have a great family supporting her and a career she enjoys where she can help others and work with wonderful people.