Cover photography by: JODIE BRIM CREATIVE
Having a consistent rapport with your doctor can be a challenge in today’s healthcare setting, but for one local private practice, things are refreshingly different. Dr. Susanna Ringeman is proud of the ethos and quality of care for those whom she attends at her private practice in Winston-Salem.
Dr. Ringeman opened Forsyth Eye Health and Surgery in August of 2019. Her Ophthalmology practice offers medical and surgical care for a range of eye conditions including cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, blepharitis, thyroid eye disease, diabetic eye care, allergic conjunctivitis and many other systemic conditions that affect the eyes.
She and her staff are very attentive to each and every patient. “We strive to maintain long-lasting relationships while offering high quality, personalized, state-of-the-art eye care,” she said. “We are a small, private practice intent on treating patients and their families as individuals. Due to the complexity of our healthcare system today, getting personalized medical care can be a daunting process to navigate.
In addition to Dr. Ringeman and an amazing support staff of six women, Dr. Carol Ziel joined the team last October and specializes in medical ophthalmology and glaucoma care. After a long and successful career in the Winston-Salem area, Dr. Ziel retired in 2021. She realized she missed ophthalmology and direct patient care. She says, working with Dr. Ringeman’s practice is a good fit for her to continue practicing in the field she so enjoys. A frequent speaker at ophthalmology meetings across the country, she was instrumental in showing how cataract surgery could be the best treatment for angle closure glaucoma.
The number one goal at Forsyth Eye is for patients to feel like they can get in touch with us directly and be able to get the highest quality care they need right away, when they need it. Our staff prioritizes each patient by providing a prompt response to address their specific concerns right away.” Additionally, Forsyth Eye Health and Surgery strives for optimized scheduling efficiency with minimal wait times. Dr. Ringeman’s website says it all: “Experienced, Compassionate, Eye Care.”
Dr. Ringeman comments, “I opened the practice to provide a setting where people felt like their voice and medical needs were heard, while still getting the most up-to-date care. I also wanted to be able to have flexibility to raise my young family”.
Originally from Covington, Louisiana, Dr. Ringeman completed medical school at LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport, Louisiana in 2007. She stayed in Shreveport to complete her ophthalmology residency and graduated in 2011. Since moving to Winston-Salem in 2012, she’s worked in both private practice and as an assistant professor at Wake Forest Ophthalmology.
Dr. Ringeman is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons, and is the Chairman of Ophthalmology for Forsyth Medical Center.
“Ophthalmology is a fascinating field because there are so many health conditions that involve the eyes, which often are first detected during a routine eye exam,” adds Dr. Ringeman. “Screening for glaucoma and macular degeneration are especially important because there are often no symptoms, yet with preventative care, we can slow – and at times prevent – devastating vision loss.”
It’s important for everyone over the age of 40 to have a dilated eye exam every one to two years to screen for these conditions. The dilated exam is an important tool whereby the entire visual system is evaluated; though having your eyes dilated is time consuming, it may help prevent vision loss down the road.
Within her field, Dr. Ringeman has a passion for performing cataract surgery and working with patients to optimize their vision and maintain their quality of life. “We primarily see aging adults and, for many patients, this means cataract surgery to maintain vision. Cataract surgery helps maintain independence, quality of life and can also help slow the progression of dementia.
“Our goal is customized vision so that patients can continue living their life independently and to the fullest. It’s gratifying to know we are able to make a direct impact by helping patients enjoy life in their later years with better vision.”
Uneke Okori, a patient who had cataract surgery this spring reported this about his recent experience: “Since February 2024, I’m able, for the first time in 35 years, to read a computer screen, watch TV and drive without eye glasses, courtesy of Dr Susanna Ringeman. And, that’s the miracle of ophthalmology! The patient care and professionalism of Dr Ringeman and her team is, and has been, extraordinarily outstanding. I’m grateful to Dr Ringeman and team.”
Linda Cole is a long time patient who still regularly travels to Winston-Salem from near Virginia to see Dr. Ringeman and comments, “Dr. Ringeman restored my confidence in being able to see so clearly in order to once again drive at night and in bad weather. My driving gives me freedom and enjoyment in my everyday life. The procedures, treatments and yearly exams are off the charts! Dr. Ringeman and the staff are so kind and understanding. She is simply THE BEST!”
Another longtime patient, Jerry Tilley, says he “cannot thank Dr. Ringeman and her staff enough for how they helped improve my quality of life. My cataracts were so bad in both eyes that it was difficult to drive at night and impossible to follow my golf ball after hitting it. My vision in my right eye improved from 20/60 to 20/15 and my left eye from 20/50 to 20/20. Dr. Ringeman is extremely knowledgeable and has exceptional bedside manner. She eliminated my fear of surgery by thoroughly explaining the procedure and what I should expect. I give Dr. Ringeman my highest recommendation!”
Forsyth Eye Health & Surgery is located at 2827 Lyndhurst Ave, Suite 204, Winston-Salem, NC, 336.842.5477. Visit them online at forsytheyehealth.com for more information on their services or to schedule your first consultation!
