DR. CHARLES HARRIS
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist, Fellowship trained in treatment of the Macula, Retina and Vitreous
Dr. Harris, a board-certified ophthalmologist, received his BA in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A native of Savannah, he graduated from the Medical College of Georgia, where he was awarded the Dean’s Research Fellowship Award for excellence in ophthalmology research.
His interest in and study of retina and vitreous diseases began in the late 1980s with his uncle, also an accomplished retinal specialist. He completed his internship in internal medicine at Memorial Medical Center in Savannah. After a residency in ophthalmology at the University of Tennessee, he went on to a two-year vitreoretinal fellowship at the Vitreoretinal Foundation in Memphis.
While practicing in Memphis during his fellowship, Dr. Harris developed retina practices in Mississippi, Arkansas and two other cities in Tennessee. He decided to move closer to home and practiced in Atlanta for two years. Both he and his wife (also a Savannah native) decided to move back to their hometown in 2001.
Dr. Harris is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists and the Medical Association of Georgia. He has published articles in medical journals in both the United States and Europe, and has performed ophthalmic mission work in Mexico. He has been the Georgia medical director for the United States Eye Injury Registry to increase awareness and prevention of eye injuries.
PRIVATE PRACTICE
March 2001 to Present
Southern Retina
Savannah, GA 31405
EDUCATION
Fellowship
Vitreoretinal; University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN; July 1997 to June 1999.
Residency
Ophthalmology; University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN; July 1994 to June 1997.
Internship
Internal Medicine; Memorial Medical Center, Savannah, GA; July 1993 to June 1994.
Medical School
Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA; August 1989 to June 1993.
M. D., graduation June 5, 1993.
Undergraduate
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC; August 1985 to May 1989.
B. A., Psychology; graduation May 14, 1989.
High School
Savannah Country Day School, Savannah, GA; August 1981 to June 1985;
graduation June 1985.
BOARD CERTIFICATION
National Board
Diplomat, July 1, 1994, certificate #433115.
American Board of Ophthalmology
May 16, 1999, recertified January 1, 2010
Professional Overview
Medical Licensure
- Georgia
- South Carolina
Hospital Affiliations
- St. Josephs/ Candler Health Systems, Savannah, Georgia
Society Membership
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Georgia Society of Ophthalmology
Appointments
- Georgia Medical Director, United States Eye Injury Registry, 2001-2002
- Article Reviewer, Practical Reviews in Ophthalmology 1999-2001
- Resident Instructor, University of Tennessee Retina Clinic; July 1997 to June 1999
- Clinical instructor, Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia
Research
- Principal Investigator, V.A.M. photodynamic therapy study
- Investigator, Unifying Genetics and Epidemiology of Macular Degeneration, NEI and Vanderbilt
- Genaera Exudative AMD Study 301 ORCHID study
- Bausch & Lomb Bacterial conjunctivitis study # 434
Volunteer Experience
- Ophthalmic Surgeon, World Cataract Foundation; Hospital de la Amistad, Ometepec, Mexico; November 17-24, 1995.
- Resident Instructor, University of Tennessee Retina Clinic; July 1997 to June 1999
Publications
- Khun F., Morris R., Witherspoon C. D., Harris C. L., Brown S.: Magnetic Posterior Segment Intraocular Foreign Bodies; Current Management Concepts. Der Ophthalmologe 90; 539-548, 1993.
- Cheeks L., Harris C., Green K.: Corneal Endothelial Toxicity of Mitomycin C. Journal of Toxicology-Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology 12(1): 59-66, 1993.