Neil Draisin, OD

Dr. Neil W. Draisin has been a Developmental Optometrist in the Charleston area for 43 years. His practice is dedicated to providing excellent developmental vision care and eye care for the entire family.

Dr. Draisin is an Optometrist board certified in Children's Vision and Visual Perception and Development, as well as treatment and management of eye disease. An authority in Vision Therapy and vision rehabilitation, Dr. Draisin maintains a private practice in Charleston, SC, which he established in 1972. He is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. Dr. Draisin is a member of the Coastal Carolina Optometric Society, the South Carolina Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, and the Optometric Extension Program. He is past president of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development and the Southeastern Congress of Optometry.  He was named distinguished alumnus of College of Charleston in 2011 and Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2001. He was elected to the National Academies of Practice in 2012.
Dr. Draisin is a graduate of the College of Charleston with a B.S. in Biology, and he is a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He completed his residency in Pediatric Optometry and Vision Therapy at State University of New York.
For the last 24 years, the American Optometric Association has awarded Dr. Draisin the Optometric Recognition Award for excellence in continuing education.  In 2013, Dr. Draisin was awarded by AOA Optometrist of the Year, which is a nationwide award.
Dr. Draisin serves as an Adjunct Professor for Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Southern College of Optometry, Illinois College of Optometry, and Alabama College of Optometry serving as a preceptor for the externship program.
In 1976 Dr. Draisin established the Head Start Vision Screening Program in Charleston.  Over 1,000 children are screened through this program yearly.
Dr. Draisin is also involved in many organizations outside optometry. He has served as president of the Charleston Jewish Community Center, and received the National JWB Young Leadership Award. Dr. Draisin has also served as vice president of the Charleston Jewish Federation, on the board of his synagogue, and on the Executive Board of the Charleston Boy Scout Council.  He is a member of the St. Andrews Rotary Club, where he has a 13 year perfect attendance record. In 2004 the College of Charleston Foundation elected Dr. Draisin to its Board of Directors and in 2014 Dr. Draisin was reelected to another term.
Dr. Draisin was born and raised in Charleston. He and his wife, Carolyn, have three children: Alison, Leslie, and David. Alison is a psychologist in Seattle, Leslie works with mentally and physically challenged adults at a children's shelter in Boston, and David is an attorney in New York.
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Jennifer Zolman, OD

Dr. Jennifer Smith Zolman grew up in Eastern Ohio and attended college at The Ohio State University, completing her Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition degree, and obtained her Doctorate of Optometry at Nova Southeastern College of Optometry in 2006. She is a fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development. She is the owner and CEO of the Draisin Vision Group in Charleston, SC.

Dr. Zolman served as President of the South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association (SCOPA) in2016/2017. Dr. Zolman is an adjunct clinical professor for 5 different Colleges of Optometry and the Residency director in Vision Therapy/ Pediatric Optometry affiliated with Southern College of Optometry, teaching and mentoring future doctors in her office. She serves as a Director on board of theCollege of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD.) She is the current Chair of the American Optometric Association’s InfantSEE and Children’s Vision Committee and the South Carolina InfantSEE State Leader promoting infant exams and detection of early eye diseases. She serves as a clinical director of South Carolina’s Special Olympics Lion’s Club International Opening Eyes program that provides vision care and glasses to the special needs population. Other Professional Organizations that Dr. Zolman is involved include: Past President of the Coastal Carolina Optometric Association, member of the American Optometric Association, member of the South Carolina Optometric Physicians Association, and member of the Optometric Nutrition Society.

Dr. Zolman has been honored with the Women in Optometry’s Theia Excellence Award in Leadership in 2019, the Southern Council (SECO)’s Young Optometrist of the South in 2013, Nova Southeastern College of Optometry’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award, SCOPA’s Young Optometrist of the Year in 2012, SCOPA’s Distinguished Service Award in 2009, SCOPA’s Horizon Award in 2008, South Carolina Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year Award in 2013, one of Vision Monday’s 2015 Most Influential Woman in Optical and also featured in the Vision Monday’s Magazine articles: “The Next Generation of Optometry Leadership” in 2006 and “Rising Stars” in 2011. She has done numerous TV and news interviews, and written/contributed to many articles for optometric magazines. She has honored toreturned to her hometown to give the East Liverpool High School commencement speech to the 2016 graduates.

Dr. Zolman has always had a deep commitment to her community. She is a member of Charleston Junior League, has worked with Pet Helpers Animal Society. She has served as a Brownie Girl Scout leader and a Big Sister in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program since 2007. Dr. Zolman was recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2007-2008 and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters CJ Award in 2013.When not involved in professional duties, Dr. Zolman loves spending time with her family: husband Michael, daughters, Lillie and Addison, son, Grayson and their dog, Cooper. Dr. Zolman also enjoys relaxing at the beach, camping, kayaking, photography, scrapbooking and sports, especially Ohio State Football. Go BUCKS!

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Elyse DeWitt, OD

Dr. Elyse DeWitt was born and raised in San Diego, California and joined our practice after completing a residency in vision rehabilitation and pediatrics. Dr. DeWitt’s passion lies in helping patients young and old with vision related learning disorders, strabismus, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. DeWitt knows firsthand the power of vision therapy as she was a VT patient herself as a child. In her early school years, Dr. DeWitt’s own vision issues were holding her back in the classroom and in sports. After a year of hard work in vision therapy, she began to excel in school as well as in soccer and gymnastics.

Dr. DeWitt went on to attend college at Columbia University in the City of New York where she studied Neuroscience and Behavior. Dr. DeWitt then earned her Doctorate of Optometry at the State University of New York College of Optometry and graduated with honors. She served as president of the school’s student chapter of the College of Optometrist in Vision Development and was an avid volunteer with Lion’s Club and the Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity. Dr. DeWitt traveled to Panama in 2016 and spent a week donating her time giving eye exams to the many people in need. Dr. DeWitt is a member of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, the American Optometric Association, and the South Carolina Optometric Physician Association. She is currently working toward her fellowship in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development.

Outside of the office, Dr. DeWitt enjoys exploring the tidal creeks, antiquing, and relaxing with her cat, Alfred.

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