Meet Our Doctors

Meet Dr. John Whitlow and Dr. Donna Whitlow

Dr. John Whitlow and Dr. Donna Whitlow opened the doors of West Georgia Vision Center in May, 1993. Both doctors are Doctors of Optometry licensed to practice in Georgia and Alabama, and are Diplomates of the American Board of Optometry. From the American Board of Optometry: Board Certification demonstrates that the optometrist is dedicated to providing quality patient care. By studying for and passing a rigorous examination, the doctors demonstrate that they have reviewed what they learned in school, kept up with new developments and used these bodies of knowledge to provide high quality patient care.

As licensed optometrists, they provide exams, diagnoses, and treatments of disorders that affect the eye or vision. In addition to training in eye diseases and disorders, they are also trained in anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology. With this background, our doctors are trained to recognize a range of health issues; such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetes, and hypertension.

Dr. John Whitlow and Dr. Donna Whitlow work hard to stay current on the latest advances in eye health and vision care and regularly attend continuing education seminars and advanced training courses. It is because of their dedication to continuing education that our patients receive the most modern and progressive eye care available.


John B. Whitlow, O.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Optometry

Dr. John Whitlow is a graduate of Auburn University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry where he earned his Doctor of Optometry degree. He completed his externship at the Tuscaloosa V.A. Hospital. His associations include the Georgia Optometric Association, where he has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President and President of the state organization. Currently, he is Legislative Chairman of the GOA, a position he has held since 2001. Locally, he is secretary of the GOA 4th District. He is also a member of the American Optometric Association and serves nationally on the State Government Relations Committee, and has participated with the SGRC since 2009. Dr. Whitlow’s Optometric awards are numerous, and include the Bernard Kahn Memorial AwardGOA Legislative Service Award, 2006 GOA Optometrist of the YearGeorgianne Bearden Excellence in Leadership Award (the highest award given by the Georgia Optometric Association) and numerous Presidential Citations. In 2010, he was named one of the “Young Guns of Optometry” by the Review of Optometry, a national optometric publication. In 2016, he was awarded Alumnus of the Year by the University of Alabama School of Optometry. Dr. Whitlow served on the Board of Trustees at LaGrange Academy (his alma mater and children’s school) from 2006 to 2016; during that time, he led as Board Chairman from 2009 to 2015. He is a member and deacon of First Baptist Church on the Square, a sound board technician and an Adult Sunday School Class teacher. He is a devoted father to Jennifer and John H. In his free time, he enjoys working on the farm and traveling.


Donna G. Whitlow, O.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Optometry

Dr. Donna Whitlow is a graduate of Berry College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry where she earned her Doctor of Optometry degree. She completed her externship at the Tuscaloosa V.A. Hospital. Her associations include the Georgia Optometric Association, GOA 4th District, and American Optometric Association. Previously, she has been a member of the Avesis Board of Directors for five years, and Medicaid chairperson to the GOA for six years. Dr. Donna Whitlow has also been the recipient of several GOA Presidential Citations and the Bernard Kahn Memorial Award. She is also involved at LaGrange Academy where she has been a Room Mom, chaired the Teacher Appreciation Committee and a 2012-2013 co-chair of the Academy’s annual Auction. She is a member of First Baptist Church on the Square, and is secretary of the Whitlow’s Sunday School Class; for over 10 years, she taught children’s Sunday School in various grade levels and led the Kindergarten Choir for three years. Her favorite title is “Mama” to Jennifer and John H. She enjoys reading, knitting, baking and traveling in her free time.