Haywood Eye Care celebrates 70 years
Haywood Family Eye Care has been a fixture of eye care in Western North Carolina for nearly 70 years.
The practice was founded by Optometrist Eugene Harpe and was later joined by Dr. LeRoy Roberson, whose father had practiced as a primary care physician in Haywood County for many years. The two were involved in the community and still attend the Waynesville Rotary Club meetings. Numerous current patients who grew up in Haywood County recall getting their very first pair of glasses as a child from Dr. Harpe.
After graduating valedictorian of her class at UAB School of Optometry, Dr. Aimée McBride joined Haywood Family Eye Care. She took over ownership when Dr. Roberson retired after 40 years in practice. In 2016, she was joined by her classmate, Dr. Tommy Pinkston. Both doctors McBride and Pinkston are married, and each have three young children. As the practice grew, they had the need to add an associate doctor. In 2020, Dr. Lora Cretella joined the practice. Although not from Haywood County, she grew up in Charlotte and spent many weekends competing in clogging competitions in Maggie Valley. She is thrilled to now be able to call this area home.
Haywood Family Eye Care continues to serve the residents of Western N.C. with the same compassion and excellence that have been a part of the practice since its inception. The office recently moved from its Main Street location in downtown Waynesville to a new state-of-the-art facility at 1604 Sulphur Springs Road in Hazelwood.