Brian J. Groat, MD
Board Certified Cornea, Anterior Segment, and Cataract Surgeon in Wilmington, NC
Brian J. Groat, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract, cornea, and anterior segment disease in Wilmington, NC. His unique and extensive training has enabled him to provide the highest quality eye surgery and care. At Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea, P.A., Dr. Groat performs Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty, cataract surgery, and corneal transplant surgery. He also treats several conditions, such as glaucoma and dry eye.
During a consultation, Dr. Groat will discuss the reasons for your visit and will present a customized treatment plan. Call 910-769-4590 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Brian Groat today!
What His Patient’s Say
“I moved to Wilmington 4 years ago and found Dr. Groat when I had an eye emergency. His precision and efficiency is undeniable. He has an extensive medical background that made me feel comfortable + his team is so sweet, they really made my experience bearable. I’ve been going back every year for eye exams!”
– Christina R.
Dr. Groats Education, Expertise & Experience
After graduating with Honors from the United States Air Force Academy, Dr. Groat served for two years as an Acquisition Officer for the Air Force. He was then selected in a highly competitive program to be sponsored for his medical training. Dr. Groat received his medical doctorate (MD) from Tulane University School of Medicine. He continued his internship training in New Orleans working in the famed Charity Hospital System.
The Air Force then called him back to active duty, and he served as the lead Flight Surgeon for the 66 RQS, combat search and rescue squadron, based out of Las Vegas, NV. During that time, he deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq on three occasions and earned an Air Medal and Achievement Medal for combat rescue flights.
Dr. Groat followed this assignment by completing his ophthalmology residency training at the Medical University of South Carolina, Storm Eye Institute. While there, his research was published in national peer-reviewed journals, and he was selected to present at the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meetings.
Following residency, Dr. Groat reentered the Air Force and became the Chief of Ophthalmology at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center in Las Vegas, NV. In this position, he provided advanced ophthalmic care to Active Duty pilots, retirees, dependents, and was concurrently the only eye surgeon in Southern Nevada to care for Veterans Administration patients who needed complex glaucoma and cornea transplant surgeries. Over a four-year period, Dr. Groat performed thousands of intraocular and laser surgeries including presbyopia and astigmatism-correcting lifestyle lens surgery.
Dr. Groat’s experience and expertise were highlighted when he was asked to be the head of ocular trauma at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in 2011. He performed brain, orbital, ocular, and facial surgeries on injured American and Coalition soldiers as well as doing humanitarian surgeries on local Afghan nationals. Additionally, he was asked by the Wing Commander to care for a previously undiagnosed corneal disorder in a provincial Governor and perform cataract surgery on a high-ranking Afghan National Army General. For his efforts, Dr. Groat was awarded a NATO medal.
While he has received numerous accolades, Dr. Groat’s major focus is providing personalized exceptional patient care. He enjoys building relationships and derives personal and professional satisfaction from helping patients while achieving outstanding clinical results.
Dr. Groat is very pleased to be a part of the Wilmington community as a health care provider. While not at work, he loves spending time with his wonderful family; wife Kate, daughters Emma and Annie, and son Cal. You may also find him biking around Wilmington or playing golf when time permits.
What Does an Ophthalmologist Do?
An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor who has received a medical degree. After completing medical school, the ophthalmologist then does a one-year internship and multi-year residency that hones their skills in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases. Ophthalmologists provide a number of essential services that protect eye health, including:
- Comprehensive eye exams to evaluate vision and observe structures of the eyes, including the retina.
- Diagnose and treat eye conditions such as glaucoma, dry eye, and age-related macular degeneration.
- Perform surgical procedures as needed to correct eye problems such as cataracts or injury.
When Should I See an Ophthalmologist?
Eye exams are important to eye health and vision. Signs that you should see an ophthalmologist in between your regular exams include:
- Sudden occurrence or increase in spots or flashes of light (floaters and flashes).
- A significant change or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- A significant change in color vision.
- A sense of shadowing at the corners of the eyes, like closing curtains.
- Blurry, wavy, watery, or double vision.
- Sudden or persistent eye pain.
Many of the common eye conditions that can affect vision do not cause pain. It is important to contact an eye doctor to evaluate any changes in vision or eye structure.
Why Should I Choose Dr. Groat and Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea?
Dr. Groat draws on extensive training and unique medical experience to provide patients with the highest quality of eye care. He specializes in cataract surgery, corneal transplant surgery, and less common procedures like Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty. He also treats conditions including dry eye and glaucoma. His unique experience includes deployment as a lead flight surgeon with the United States Air Force and extensive training in the field of ophthalmology.
In addition to training and clinical practice, Dr. Groat has published peer-reviewed research and served as the Chief of Ophthalmology at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center in Las Vegas. Over four years, Dr. Groat performed thousands of intraocular and laser surgeries including presbyopia and astigmatism-correcting lifestyle lens surgery. Patients who visit our practice can expect to receive the kind of care we would want for our families.
How Often Should I See an Ophthalmologist?
How often you see an ophthalmologist depends on your age, family history, and current eye health. Generally, most adults are advised to undergo a thorough eye exam every one to two years. Older adults are checked for vision as well as for signs of cataracts, macular degeneration, and other potentially serious eye diseases.
Dr. Groat is Board-certified. What Does That Mean?
After graduating from medical school, doctors voluntarily complete rigorous evaluations to demonstrate their knowledge, experience, and skills. This evaluation results in board-certification. In this case, it is certified with the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Schedule a Consultation With Dr. Brian Groat
To learn more about the services Dr. Groat offers, call 910-769-4590 to schedule a consultation at Cape Fear Cataract & Cornea, P.A. located in Wilmington, NC. We look forward to serving your needs soon!
“Excellent physician! I feel very comfortable with him taking care of my eyes. He is a honest physician. Staff and office is wonderful! I would highly recommend him for all your eye needs!”
“I moved to Wilmington 4 years ago and found Dr. Groat when I had an eye emergency. His precision and efficiency is undeniable. He has an existentive medical background that made me feel comfortable + his team is so sweet, they really made my experience bearable. I’ve been going back every year for eye exams!”
