Crystal Brimer, OD, FAAO

Dr. Brimer is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and Southern College of Optometry, a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), and a primary clinical investigator. She owns a specialty dry eye referral center in Wilmington, NC, dedicated to redefining dry eye treatment. Passionate about advancing dry eye care, Dr. Brimer has played a key role in developing innovative equipment and protocols that help doctors identify the root causes of ocular surface disease and achieve better patient outcomes. She co-created the Vision Source Dry Eye Protocols 1.0 and 2.0 and was instrumental in designing the Oculus 5M software platform and Crystal Tear Report. Recognizing the challenges clinics face in implementing dry eye treatments, she founded the Dry Eye Institute in 2018 — a hands-on, interactive retreat designed to equip doctors with a strong foundation and ongoing resources for successful dry eye care integration. To further improve patient accessibility, she also established a nonprofit foundation that helps patients afford out-of-pocket dry eye procedures. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Brimer enjoys publishing, lecturing, and consulting both nationally and internationally. In her free time, she loves being on the water with her dog and is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.