About Us
Dr. Girdher, OD, FAAO, is a highly respected optometrist with over 20 years of experience delivering advanced eye care to elite U.S. Special Forces, Members of Congress, Supreme Court Justices, and Presidents of the United States.
For more than 15 years, she served as the primary Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) optometrist at a military hospital, dedicating her career to advancing specialized care for patients with functional visual deficits, both with and without concussion.
Working closely in a multi-discipinary setting with a diverse team of providers has provided her with extensive experience in recognizing and managing a wide range of complex conditions related to TBI. This collaborative approach has deepened her understanding of how vision integrates with other systems in recovery and overall brain function.
Not only is Dr. Girdher one of the leader experts in the country in TBI, she has been training the next generation of doctors. As the founder and director of the military residency program focused on visual dysfunction related to TBI, Dr. Girdher has trained the next generation of optometrists to deliver specialized care. In addition, she managed a large student externship program that welcomed more than 30 students each year from various optometry universities in the country.
As a subject matter expert, Dr. Girdher has contributed to multiple TBI-related publications, lectured nationally, and actively participated in ongoing research. She has led numerous hands-on workshops, including sessions at national meetings, teaching other optometrists how to properly diagnose and treat visual dysfunction related to traumatic brain injury. This unique combination of clinical expertise, leadership, and academic involvement enables Dr. Girdher to provide informed, compassionate and effective care to every patient she serves.
Educational Background and Professional Accomplishments
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Low Vision Residency
SUNY College of Optometry / Lighthouse International — New York, NY
Advanced clinical training in low vision rehabilitation, head trauma, vision rehabilitation, primary care optometry, glaucoma, and retina.Doctor of Optometry (OD)
University of Houston College of Optometry — Houston, TXBachelor of Science in Biology, Cum Laude
Texas Tech University — Lubbock, TX -
Post-Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Vision Rehabilitation
Invited Lecturer — University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | December 2025Brain Injury Vision Dysfunction: Diagnosis and Management for the Primary Eye Care Provider - Workshop
Lead Workshop Author — American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, Boston, MA | October 2025Traumatic Brain Injury Workshop for Department of Defense Optometrists
Invited Lecturer — Annual Ocular Trauma Course, Bethesda MD | May 2025Post-Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Vision Rehabilitation
Guest Lecturer — Vision Center of Excellence Grand Rounds, Bethesda, MD | March 2025Collaborative Approach to Managing TBI-Related Visual Dysfunction
Invited Lecturer — National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE) TBI Didactic Series, Bethesda, MD | March 2023 -
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Hu C, Girdher G, DeGraba T. Vertical Heterophoria and Vestibular Symptoms in Military Personnel with Chronic mTBI. Mil Med. 2025 Nov 7:usaf534. doi: 10.1093/milmed/usaf534. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41206627.
Clinical Guidelines & Professional Contributions:
DHA Practice Recommendation: Post-Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Assessment and Management of Vision and Oculomotor Dysfunctions for Eye Care Providers
Subject Matter Expert Contributor — Defense Health Agency (DHA) / Vision Center of ExcellenceOcular Motor Rehabilitation Definition as Applied to Defense Health Agency/Vision Center of Excellence Practice Recommendations
Subject Matter Expert Contributor — Defense Health Agency (DHA) / Vision Center of ExcellenceDHA Practice Recommendation: Evaluation and Management of Dizziness Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) for Eye Care Providers
Subject Matter Expert Contributor — Department of Defense (DoD) & Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Vision Center of Excellence -
Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry
Member of the American Optometric Assocition
Member of the Virginia Optometric Association
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