Our Practice

Dr. Turner is extremely proud to be Daniel Island’s first optometrist, a distinction that has brought him great respect throughout the community. As a therapeutically licensed optometrist, Dr. Turner provides his patients with multifaceted care.

This is further demonstrated by his unique blend of experience: he completed internships at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS, Montrose Veterans Hospital in Montrose, NY, and Huntington Veterans Hospital in Huntington, WV. These experiences have given Dr. Turner the confidence and ability to treat eyes of all ages and stages. Dr. Turner graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Tech, and received his Doctor of Optometry degree from Indiana University School of Optometry in Bloomington, IN.

Dr. Turner is passionate about pediatric vision care and contact lenses. In 2010, Daniel Island Eye Care became South Carolina’s source for the largest inventory of contact lenses. Dr. Turner receives contact lens referrals from the entire coast of SC, as well as North Carolina. In 2011, because of his passion and expertise with contact lenses, Dr. Turner was selected to join Johnson & Johnson’s contact lens division, as a professional speaker.

He is also proud to be a member of InfantSEE, providing free comprehensive eye exams to babies under the age of a year. Dr. Turner has also been a part of the ‘Adopt a Teacher’ program at the Daniel Island School since its inception, and now teaches an eye dissection lab to three 8th grade science classes every year. At the other end of the spectrum, Dr. Turner has spent 5 years at Charleston nursing homes, caring for the eyes of elderly adults that are not able to leave the nursing home for optometric care.

Dr. Turner married the love of his life, Erin, on October 15th, 2011. Outside of the office, Dr. Turner and Erin can be routinely seen running and cycling on Daniel Island, and enjoying the lifestyle on Sullivan’s Island and downtown Charleston.

Fast Facts on Dr. T

Member of: the Daniel Island Business Association, the Charleston Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, and the Charleston Chapters of Virginia Tech and Indiana Alumni Associations.

Hometown: South Bend, IN

Favorite Food/Restaurant: Pizza, sushi, chocolate chip cookies! Basil and La Pizzeria.

Wearing glasses since: Diagnosed with myopia (nearsightedness) at 7 years old and received his first pair of glasses… They were not pretty!

Favorite pair of sunglasses: Oakley Jawbone with transition lenses. Absolutely the perfect pair of cycling glasses. I love them.

Hobbies: Triathlons during the summer, football in the fall, beach anytime.

What’s playing on my iPod/music device: Pearl Jam. Have seen them in concert over 15 times. Musically, still stuck in the ’90s.

Favorite Saying/Quote: “Hope is not a plan.” – Lou Holtz

Pet Peeve: The phrase, ‘I can’t’.

Can’t go without my: Sunglasses.

Dr. Petersen is originally from northwest Iowa, and completed her undergrad at Iowa State University in Ames, IA. She then attended Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN.

While in optometry school, she completed externships in Memphis, Dallas, and Mount Pleasant, discovering that Mount Pleasant was where she wanted to be. Following graduation, Dr. Petersen completed an additional year of training, with a focus on primary care and ocular disease, through a residency at the Memphis Veteran Affairs Medical Center.

With her rigorous preparation complete, Dr. Petersen was finally able to realize her dream of relocating permanently to the Charleston area by joining Daniel Island Eye Care. She is extremely excited to begin her professional career alongside Dr. Turner and the welcoming staff.

Fast Facts on Dr. P

Hometown: Farm girl from Cleghorn, IA (272 people)!

Favorite Food/Restaurant: Love trying new food, but adore Poe’s tuna tacos.

Favorite Music: Mumford & Sons, Journey, alternative rock.

Favorite saying: In regards to unhappy people: “Kill them with kindness!”

Pet Peeve: When people don’t reply to messages.

Can’t go without my: Sunglasses & cell phone.

Favorite frame designer: Gucci.

Originally from Long Island, New York, Dr. Jean Silecchia received her undergraduate degree from SUNY College at Cortland. After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, she went on to attend Pennsylvania College of Optometry, graduating with a Doctorate in Optometry and a Bachelor of Science in Vision Science.

During the last year and a half of her time at Pennsylvania College of Optometry Dr. Silecchia rotated at different eye clinics throughout the east coast, including offices in Miami, Philadelphia, the DC area and the Charleston area. Each rotation included emphasis on different aspects of optometry, including disease, contact lenses, and primary care. At the conclusion of her rotations, Dr. Silecchia graduated with Honors and received an award for Clinical Excellence in Primary Care.

Dr. Silecchia is licensed to practice Optometry in South Carolina. She is a member of the American Optometric Association, South Carolina Optometric Association and the Coastal Carolina Optometric Society.

When she’s not in the office, Dr. Silecchia enjoys spending time with her husband Cody, son Bennett, their pug Romeo and rescue boxer/hound Bella. She enjoys relaxing at the beach with a good book and many other outdoor activities around the area.

Favorite Charleston Restaurant: Hyman’s Seafood

Favorite Vacation Destination: New Orleans

Favorite Frame Designer: Banana Republic

Favorite Football Team: Tulane Green Wave

Favorite Hobby: Spending time with my husband, our two dogs, and our two cats.

Favorite Charleston Restaurant: Poe’s Tavern or BoxCar Betty’s

Favorite Vacation Destination: San Diego or Las Vegas

Favorite Frame Designer: Oakley

Favorite Football Team: No Football, only Hockey- GO CAPS!

Favorite Hobby: Playing with the dog

Favorite Charleston Restaurant: FIG and Indaco

Favorite Vacation Destination: Belize

Favorite Frame Designer: Lafont

Favorite Football Team: Clemson and the Eagles

Favorite Hobby: Spending time with my cats, family and friends

Ann Lauren is originally from Greenwood, MS, and has lived in various cities throughout the southeast including Marietta, GA and Birmingham, AL. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi where she was also an active member of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta. Immediately following college, she began her career in the optical world and became an American Board Certified Optician. She thoroughly enjoys helping people select the proper eyewear to see and look their best. In the summer, you will most likely find her at the beach, but during football season, she will be cheering on her Ole Miss Rebels! Hotty Toddy!!

Favorite Charleston Restaurant: The Darling

Favorite Vacation Destination: Pensacola, FL

Favorite Frame Designer: Oliver Peoples

Favorite Football Team: Ole Miss Rebels, Hotty Toddy!

Favorite Hobby: Spin class

Favorite Charleston Restaurant: Early Bird Diner

Favorite Vacation Destination: Asheville, NC

Favorite Frame Designer: Arbor

Favorite Football Team: Carolina Panthers

Favorite Hobby: Working out