George O. Waring IV, MD, FACS

George O. Waring IV, MD FACS is a frequently sought after expert in the field of refractive and cataract surgery.

The Gold Standard

Dr. Waring is the founder and Medical Director of the Waring Vision Institute in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Dr. Waring has served as Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, the Director of Refractive Surgery at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Storm Eye Institute and the Medical Director at Magill Vision Center from 2012 - 2017. Dr. Waring also serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at the College of Engineering and Science at Clemson University.

He has served as Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Emory University School of Medicine, and a Staff Ophthalmologist at the Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Waring IV is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences.

Global Innovator in Ophthalmic Surgery & Research

Dr. Waring IV is active in clinical research and incorporates the latest advances in technology into his practice. He has performed surgery, taught new surgical procedures and delivered invited lectures on four continents. He has over 350 scientific publications, abstracts and presentations to his credit, including over 50 peer reviewed manuscripts, over 200 invited lectures, over a dozen book chapters on cataract and refractive surgery, and co-authored the definitive textbook on femtosecond lasers in corneal and lens surgery. Dr. Waring IV a founding member of the American College of Ophthalmic Surgeons, the prestigious Vanguard Ophthalmology Society and the Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery Society, and is a member of the prestigious and historic American Ophthalmologic Society.

He is active in numerous other professional societies and serves as chairman of numerous professional committees, including chairman of the membership committee for the American European College of Ophthalmic Surgeons. Dr. Waring IV serves on the Executive Committee of the American European College of Ophthalmic Surgery and formerly for the International Society of Refractive Surgery and is the Director for the American Academy of Ophthalmology Laser Refractive Surgery Course. Dr. Waring IV sits on the editorial board of both the Journal of Refractive Surgery and the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Waring also has served on over two dozen scientific advisory panels, aiding in the development of new technologies.

Dr. Waring: Nationally Recognized, Award-Winning Ophthalmologist

Dr. Waring is consistently recognized as one of the Nation’s Top Doctors in Ophthalmology by Castle Connolly’s Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists, and as a Top Ophthalmologist and Leading Physician of the world by the International Association of Ophthalmologists. He has received numerous awards and distinctions for excellence in ophthalmology including both the American Academy of Ophthalmology Secretariat Award and Senior Achievement Award. The prestigious Lans Award for innovation in refractive surgery from the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the Presidential Award from the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the Millennial Award from Millennial Eye Annual Congress and the Indian Intraocular Implant and Refractive Society Gold Medal.

Education and Personal Life

He completed a dual degree in Economics and Ecology at Emory University in Atlanta, GA, followed by his Doctor of Medicine at the Emory University School of Medicine. He served as administrative chief resident at the State University of New York and completed his sub-specialty fellowship training in Cornea and Refractive Surgery under the world-renowned mentorship of Daniel S. Durrie, MD. He is happily married to Karolinne Maia Rocha MD, PhD, who is the Director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Division at the Medical University of South Carolina. They enjoy time with their children, George V and Maia.

Awards And Recognition

Named in Nation’s Top Doctors in Ophthalmology by Castle Connolly’s Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists
Top 100 Most Influential People Worldwide in Ophthalmology Power List, The Ophthalmologist
Member of the prestigious American Ophthalmological Society (AOS)
Presidential Award, International Society of Refractive Surgery
Distinguished Lans Award, International Society of Refractive Surgery
Secretariat Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology
Senior Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology
Gold Medal, Indian Intraocular Implant and Refractive Society
Millennial Award, Millennial Eye Annual Congress
Top Doctors in Ophthalmology, Castle Connolly’s Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists
Premier Surgeon, Top 300 Innovators in Refractive Cataract Surgery, Ocular Surgery News
Served as medical monitor for FDA clinical trials for collagen crosslinking.
Leading Physician of the World, International Association of Ophthalmologists
Executive Committee, International Society of Refractive Surgery
Executive Committee, American European College of Ophthalmic Surgeons
Editorial Board, Journal of Refractive Surgery
Editorial Board, Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
First Surgeon to Perform High Speed LASIK and PRK in the United States
First Surgeon to Perform High Definition Custom LASIK in South Carolina
First Surgeon to Perform Catalys Laser Cataract Surgery in South Carolina
First Surgeon in the world to perform the commercial implantation of the Tecnis Toric II advanced astigmatism correcting IOL
First Surgeon in South Carolina to implant the Synergy and Synergy Toric II hybrid extended depth of focus and multifocal IOL
Served as principle investigator for USFDA clinical trials for the world’s first and only eye drop to treat age related blurry near vision