John D. Sheppard M.D.,M.M.Sc.

Board Certified Ophthalmologist
President, Virginia Eye Consultants
Fellowship Trained in Uveitis and Corneal Surgery
Professor of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Dr. John Sheppard is a board-certified, fellowship-trained corneal eye surgeon and the Virginia Eye Consultant specialist in corneal transplantation, dry eye syndrome, uveitis, cataract surgery, glaucoma, and premium lens implants. He is listed in The Best Doctors in America and has received the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor Award.

Dr. Sheppard is the president of Virginia Eye Consultants and oversees VEC’s unique mission as a world class academic, clinical, research and teaching center of excellence in ophthalmology.

“When patients walk into the doors of the VEC center, they can be assured of receiving outstanding care from physicians who are at the top of their field,” says Dr. Sheppard. At the same time, the VEC staff takes pride in offering patients a setting that is comfortable, pleasant and attractive.

“What differentiates VEC from other vision care practices is our level of expertise,” says Dr. Sheppard. “Our training, experience, skill and knowledge allow us to treat the most challenging conditions, regardless of the situation. Our doctors are proactive in offering new treatments because many times we have developed them, led a research team doing the investigation or we serve on a national advisory board that reviews the results.”

Currently Dr. Sheppard is investigating new methods of preventing rejection for patients undergoing corneal transplantation. He is a lead investigator for a new cyclosporine implant, and in affiliation with Eastern Virginia Medical School, he is conducting clinical research on ways to treat the corneal tissue prior to implantation. He is also reviewing new therapies for treating uveitis and dry eye.

A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Sheppard received his bachelors, masters and medical degrees from Brown University in Rhode Island on a full Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship. He served four years with the U.S. Navy as the 6th Fleet Medical Officer and Chief of Family Practice.

After his military service, Dr. Sheppard pursued a residency in ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh Eye and Ear Institute and then a fellowship at the University of California Francis I. Proctor Research Foundation in San Francisco. He was awarded prestigious Heed-Knapp, Burroughs-Wellcome and NIH National Research Fellowship grants in his study of corneal disease, uveitis, third world blindness and ocular immunology at UC San Francisco.

In 1989, Dr. Sheppard joined VEC and was named to the faculty at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He serves as the medical school’s ophthalmology program director and clinical director of the Thomas R. Lee Center of Ocular Pharmacology. In addition, he is a member of the EVMS Development Committee.

Dr. Sheppard is actively involved as a principal investigator for numerous clinical trials sponsored by many major pharmaceutical companies and for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As an educator, Dr. Sheppard is a sought after international lecturer and author of hundreds of articles for professional journals. Dr. Sheppard serves on the editorial board for EyeNet Magazine and as an editor for eMedicine online. In addition, he is the medical examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology and the co-founder of EyeRx Research and ProVision Network.

Specialties:

• Corneal Transplantation
• Clinical Research
• Dry Eye
• Infections
• Cataract Surgery
• Glaucoma
• Uveitis
• Second Opinions
• ReSTOR® Multifocal Intraocular Lens
• Toric® Intraocular Lens for Astigmatism

Stephen V. Scoper, M.D.

Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Vice President, Virginia Eye Consultants
Fellowship Trained in Corneal and Refractive Surgery
Associate Professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School

CLICK HERE to visit Dr. Scoper's Blog

Dr. Steve Scoper has an international reputation in his field as a board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist in all areas of refractive surgery, from cataract surgery to LASIK. In addition, he is an expert in the new Visian ICL implantable lenses for people with moderate to severe nearsightedness and Toric implantable lenses to correct astigmatism.  

The vice president of Virginia Eye Consultants, Dr. Scoper’s expertise adds considerably to Virginia Eye Consultants comprehensive approach to vision care. He is the specialist to whom other physicians refer their difficult refractive surgery cases. In 2003, he was the first eye surgeon in the area to be certified in the Crystalens multifocal lens for cataracts and continues to be at the leading edge of additional premium lenses such as ReSTOR and ReZoom.

Dr. Scoper is also an associate professor of ophthalmology at Eastern Virginia Medical School and combines his interest in treating patients with his love for teaching and research, a distinction that sets Virginia Eye Consultants apart from other vision practices. VEC patients are receiving care from physicians at the top of their field.

“We are actively involved in teaching fellow physicians, new resident physicians and medical students, as well as lecturing around the world, conducting research and publishing our results,” says Dr. Scoper. In fact, says Dr. Scoper, the physician team at Virginia Eye Consultants conducts more clinical research in ophthalmology than any other practice in the state – and at the same level as Johns Hopkins and Duke University Medical Centers.  

Most recently, Dr. Scoper was the lead investigator for a new glaucoma medication and presented findings from the study at the annual European Glaucoma Conference in Berlin. He is also one of 10 physicians investigating a new intraocular lens material for refractive surgery.

A graduate of the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Dr. Scoper’s medical credentials are outstanding. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans and a fellowship at the prestigious Dean McGee Eye Institute at the University of Oklahoma, where he trained under the top pioneering corneal and refractive surgeons in the country. 

After finishing his training, Dr. Scoper joined the University of Virginia Department of Ophthalmology, where he served as an assistant professor of ophthalmology, cornea and external disease, and director of resident physician education. From there, he moved to Memphis as a member of the University of Tennessee faculty and directed the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Service.

An avid fan of opera, Dr. Scoper is on the board of directors for the Virginia Opera and has treated many members of the opera company. He is also actively involved in Young Life, a Christian organization for young people, and serves as chairman of the Young Life Tidewater Independent Schools Committee in Norfolk. Dr. Scoper and his wife Nancy have two daughters ages 20 and 13.

Specialties:

• LASIK
• All laser refractive surgery with the Alcon Allegretto Wavelite Laser & the AMO Intralase Femtosecond Laser
• PRK
• Visian ICL
• Near Vision SM CK®
• Cataract Surgery
• ReSTOR® Multifocal Intraocular Lens
• Toric® Intraocular Lens for Astigmatism
• Corneal Transplantation
• Clinical Research

David M. Salib, M.D.

Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Fellowship Trained in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery
Assistant Professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Dr. David Salib is a board-certified and fellowship - trained vitreo - retinal specialist. He is the Virginia Eye Consultants expert in treating patients with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment and other sight-threatening disorders related to the retina and vitreous portion of the eye. The vitreous is the gel-like substance within the eye that gives it a round shape.

Dr. Salib joined VEC in 2008.  He relocated to the Hampton Roads area from California, where he had been in private practice and also served as an attending physician in the Loma Linda University Department of Ophthalmology. During his time there, he was involved in extensive ground-breaking clinical research in vitreoretinal diseases and published numerous professional journal articles. Dr. Salib is excited to bring this same level of research excellence in his field to Virginia Eye Consultants.

A graduate of UCLA in California and the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Dr. Salib completed a residency at Drew University in Los Angeles and then fellowship training at the prestigious Charles Retina Institute in Memphis, Tenn. The Charles Retina Institute is at the leading edge of knowledge related vitreoretinal diseases and Dr. Salib was trained by the founder, Dr. Steve Charles, considered to be the world’s expert in his field. 

Many of the most vision-threatening eye conditions are related to the retina, says Dr. Salib. He enjoys the challenge of making a difference for patients and looks forward to introducing the latest advances in treatment, especially in the area of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. In particular, he says, for the first time a new medication for wet macular degeneration is making it possible to not just stabilize patients’ vision, but actually improve it.

Dr. Salib, his wife Angie and their daughter are pleased to make their new home in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. They feel very welcomed by the community.   

Specialties:

• Vitreo-Retinal Surgery
• Macular Degeneration
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Retinal Vascular Diseases
• Retinal Detachments
• Laser Surgery of the Retina
• Comprehensive Retinal Examination & Treatment
• Consultations
• Second Opinions
• Clinical Research

Thomas J. Joly, M.D., Ph.D.

Board Certfiied Ophthalmologist
Fellowship Trained in Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery
Assistant Professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Dr. Tom Joly is a board-certified ophthalmic plastic surgeon and the Virginia Eye Consultant specialist for all reconstructive and cosmetic needs related to the eye socket (the bones encasing the eye) and the eyelid.

Dr. Joly has extensive experience in surgical treatment for eye conditions such as Graves' Disease, a form of thyroid disease that can cause symptoms such as bulging or protruding eyes; for the removal of tumors in the eye socket and eyelid; and for treatment for disorders involving the lacrimal tear gland in the eye. 

In the area of cosmetic facial improvements, Dr. Joly offers a variety of medical and surgical procedures to improve appearance, including blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery to repair drooping upper and  lower eyelids; brow lifts to reposition sagging brows or foreheads; and injections with Botox and skin fillers to reduce facial lines and creases around the eyes and forehead.

Dr. Joly graduated magna cum laude from John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, and then attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he received dual degrees – a Medical Degree and a Ph.D. in the neurophysiology of the visual system. 

After a residency in ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, he pursued advanced training through an ophthalmic plastic surgery fellowship in laser blepharoplasty, endonasal lacrimal surgery, facial reconstruction, Graves’ disease and orbital tumors at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver (Canada). The university’s orbit clinic is recognized as a world center for orbital disease and orbital surgery.

Dr. Joly enjoys the challenges and the variety that a specialty in ophthalmic plastic surgery offers and the opportunity to use his knowledge in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery to make a difference for patients. 

Joining Virginia Eye Consultants allows him to practice in an outstanding multi-disciplinary setting that offers the best of all worlds – a beautiful, comfortable facility for patients; collaboration with other physicians at the top of their field; and the chance to continue cutting-edge research in his field. He is currently studying a new medication for blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids. In addition, Dr. Joly is a faculty member of the Eastern Virginia Medical School and teaches resident physicians and medical students.

A native of Buffalo, New York, Dr. Joly likes to say that his interest in surgery began early when he was a teen and couldn’t find clothes to fit his tall, thin frame – 6 ft. 4 inch and about 120 lbs. He learned to sew and admits that although it was unusual, it was a necessity. He gained enough skill to make all of his own clothes. Today, his talent continues to benefit his family. Dr. Joly and his wife have four children in grade school and he makes many of their costumes. 

Dr. Joly also enjoys playing the piano and is a classically trained singer. He has been singing for as long as he can remember and over the years has performed in school, church and community choirs, and at private functions such as weddings and special events.  :

Specialties:

• Eyelid and Brow Lifts
• BOTOX®
• Endonasal Lacrimal Surgery
• Surgical Treatment of Grave's Disease
• Surgical Treatment of Orbital and Eyelid Tumors
• Functional Eyelid Surgery
• Clinical Research

Dayna M. Lago, M.D.

Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Comprehensive Medical Eye Care

As the primary referring ophthalmologist at Virginia Eye Consultants, Dr. Dayna Lago provides comprehensive medical eye care services. She enjoys the opportunity to get to know her patients as she follows their progress in a wide range of areas, from treatment for dry eye and glaucoma to cataracts, macular degeneration, iritis, connective tissue diseases and vision problems related to diabetes.

Dr. Lago has been enthusiastic about the medical field for as long as she can remember. You might say medical careers run in her family. Her father was a physician and her husband, William Anderson Dickinson III, is a Virginia Beach cardiac anesthesiologist, whose father is a prominent local retired cardiologist.  

A native of New Orleans, Dr. Lago graduated summa cum laude in biochemistry from the University of Georgia and was president of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. She spent a year in San Diego in a multi-specialty internship and then completed a residency in ophthalmology at the LSU Eye Center, an internationally recognized leader and pioneer in vision care.

Before joining Virginia Eye Consultants, Dr. Lago was in private practice in the Virginia Beach area for 15 years.  She and her husband have three daughters ages 12, 11 and 9. Dr. Lago says she has first-hand experience in the dramatic improvement today’s medical and surgical procedures can have on people’s vision. After growing up wearing glasses, she underwent LASIK Surgery a few years ago and it has made a major difference in her quality of life.

Specialties:

• Referral ophthalmology
• Dry eye
• Infections
• Glaucoma
• Iritis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Macular Degeneration
• Connective tissue diseases
• Medical referrals

Constance O. Okeke, M.D.

Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Fellowship Trained in Glaucoma and Cataract Surgery
Assistant Professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Dr. Okeke joined Virginia Eye Consultants in July, 2009. Prior to that, she practiced ophthalmology as a glaucoma specialist at the University of Pennsylvania Scheie Eye Institute in Philadelphia for four years where she quickly ascended in rank from Clinical Instructor to serve as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. While at UPenn, she obtained a Master's in Clinical Epidemiology and headed the glaucoma division's clinical research efforts. In addition to clinical and surgical management of complex glaucoma, Dr. Okeke was involved with numerous multi-center clinical trials and in teaching glaucoma fellows, residents and UPenn medical students. She was also the Director of the community outreach efforts for screening for glaucoma and other common eye diseases in the community of west Philadelphia.


Dr. Okeke went to both undergraduate and medical school at the prestigious Yale University in New Haven, CT, where she won several awards for her academic achievements and research efforts. She then moved on to Baltimore, MD where she performed her residency in ophthalmology at the world-famous Wilmer Eye Institute of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, ranked at that time the number 1 ophthalmology program by the US News and World Report. There she was trained by legendary pioneers in glaucoma diagnosis, management, surgery and research, Drs. Harry Quigley, David Friedman, and Henry Jampel. 

Dr. Okeke pursued subspecialty fellowship training in glaucoma at the premier University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, which was also ranked the number 1 ophthalmology program by the US News and World Report. There, as a highly coveted Heed Fellow, she was trained by distinguished leaders in all facets of glaucoma, Drs. Douglas Anderson, Richard Parrish, Paul Palmberg, and Donald Budenz. Her areas of subspecialty training included complex glaucoma diagnosis and management, laser treatments for glaucoma, glaucoma surgery for adults and children, including: trabeculectomy, tube shunt, goniotomy, trabeculotomy, surgical revision and cataract surgery.

Dr. Okeke has extensive experience in clinical research. She has designed and implemented numerous clinical trials, as well as published extensively in the professional literature on the subject of glaucoma. She also serves as a reviewer for many professional journals. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and a member of the American Glaucoma Society and the Association for Research Vision and Ophthalmology. 

As a Board Certified Ophthalmologist, Dr. Okeke has for years been educating her patients and community on how to fight against glaucoma blindness by: 1) promoting early detection through screening, 2) furthering understanding of the disease through good doctor-patient communication and 3) stressing the importance of continued patient follow-up to monitor for progression. Dr. Okeke strives to increase awareness of glaucoma because it is such a prevalent disease in a population of people who do not even know that they have it. 

Dr. Okeke is joined by her husband Richard, and their two children.

Specialties:

• Open angle glaucoma
• Narrow angle glaucoma
• Glaucoma Diagnosis and Management
• Complex Glaucoma
• Laser Surgery for glaucoma
• Glaucoma surgery
• Tube shunt surgery
• Express shunt surgery
• Trabectome surgery
• Cataract surgery
• Restore intraocular lenses
• Toric intraocular lens for astigmatism
• Clinical research
• Consultations
• Second Opinions 

Esther Chang, M.D.

Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Cataract and Oculoplastic Surgery

Esther Chang, M.D., is the newest member of the Virginia Eye Consultants surgical team.

Dr. Chang, a Hampton Roads native, graduated valedictorian of Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach, just a few miles from Virginia Eye Consultants. She attended The University of Virginia, where she earned the honor of Jefferson and Echols Scholar as she worked toward her BS in chemistry.

She proceeded, on a full scholarship, to Harvard Medical School, followed by an Internship in Internal Medicine and General Surgery at Newton Wellesley Hospital. Dr. Chang fulfilled her Residency in Ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and she also completed a Clinical and Surgical Apprenticeship in Oculoplastics.

In addition to her accomplishments in the medical field, Dr. Chang is an award-winning concert pianist. She is married to David Chang, M.D., Director of the Portsmouth Health District, and has two children.

Walter O. Whitley, O.D.

Director, Optometric Services
Residency Trained in Ocular Disease Management
Continuing Education Program Development

Dr. Walter Whitley is the director of optometric services at Virginia Eye Consultants and serves several important roles for the practice. 

Dr. Whitley is the liaison between VEC and optometrist physicians in the community, which means he is the primary point of contact for all patients who are referred for the advanced specialty services offered at the center. 

As a VEC optometrist, he provides diagnosis and treatment for a number of conditions, including dry eye, ocular allergies, ocular infections, glaucoma and diabetes-related vision problems, as well as conducting evaluations for cataract surgery, refractive surgery and retinal disorders.

In addition, Dr. Whitley is responsible for developing continuing education programs for local optometrists on topics ranging from pre- and post- operative cataract care to LASIK and glaucoma.

Dr. Whitley has a strong background in optometry. After receiving his doctor of optometry from Pacific University in Oregon, he completed an optometric residency in ocular disease, refractive and ocular surgery at Eye Care Associates of Nevada and then spent several years there as a medical optometrist specializing in ocular disease and surgical/refractive eye care. Dr. Whitley also served as an adjunct assistant clinical professor at Pacific University College of Optometry and was the past secretary/treasurer of the Nevada Optometric Association.

In 2008, Dr. Whitley joined Virginia Eye Consultants and is pleased to be part of VEC’s progressive, forward-thinking team of physicians. He enjoys the opportunity to be affiliated with an internationally renowned practice that combines patient care, clinical research, publishing and lecturing. 

Dr. Whitley and his wife Lindsay just celebrated their one-year anniversary and are enjoying their relocation from Nevada to the East Coast. Dr. Whitley also recently completed his masters in business administration and looks forward to being more involved in the business aspects of the VEC practice.

• Referral Optometric Care
• Clinical Research
• Cataract Evaluations
• Dry Eye
• Ocular Allergies
• Glaucoma Management
• Ocular Infections
• Diabetic Eye Examinations
• Retina Evaluations