Advanced Family Eye Care is pleased to offer a wide range of optometric services, eye care products including eyeglasses, specialty eyewear, frames, and contact lenses. Our staff is happy to help however we can.

From your first contact with us to your appointment and your follow-up, we aim to make your eye care experience great. This is what drives us to provide you with the best care year after year!

J. Michael Assell, O.D.

Optometric Physician

Dr. Assell completed his B.S. degree at Auburn University and then his Doctorate of Optometry at UAB School of Optometry. He received internship training in specialty contact lenses at Hoover Eye Care in Alabama and in ocular disease at Northern Navajo Medical Center in New Mexico.

Dr. Assell has served the Denver community since 2004. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association, NC State Optometric Society, and Denver Rotary Club.

His interests include mission work, Auburn Tigers football, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and son.


Kimberly Z. Hoyle, O.D.

Optometric Physician

Dr. Hoyle was born and raised in Bay Village, Ohio, located just west of Cleveland. She completed her B.S. degree in Biochemistry at North Carolina State University and then her Doctorate of Optometry at The Ohio State University. She received her internship training in ocular disease at the Veterans Hospital in Salisbury, NC.

Dr. Hoyle relocated to the Denver area in June 2009 after spending her first three years of practice in Cary, NC. She practices full-scope optometry for all ages, with a special interest in specialty and multifocal contact lens fitting. In addition, Dr. Hoyle coordinates FDA contact lens studies and is integrally involved with community outreach for Advanced Family Eye Care. Her professional affiliations include the American Optometric Association (AOA) and the North Carolina State Optometric Society.

On the community level, she sits on the Lincoln County Board of Public Health, is an active member of Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS), and volunteers her time with children’s worship at her local church. Her hobbies include watching Ohio State and NC State football and traveling with her wonderful husband and beautiful twin daughter and son.


Catherine Earl O.D.

Optometric Physician

Dr. Earl is originally from NW Ohio. She graduated from Colorado State University with her Bachelor of Arts Degree and received her Doctor of Optometry from Ohio State University. Dr Earl’s previous experience brings a wide range of specialties to our practice. She has focused training in ocular disease management and fitting specialty contact lenses is one of her areas of expertise. Her professional affiliations include the American Optometric Association (AOA), the North Carolina State Optometric Society, and maintains a local membership to the Piedmont Optometric society.

In her free time, Dr. Earl enjoys snow skiing and spending time with her husband and two children


Sandra Farnham O.D.

Optometric Physician

Dr. Sandra Farnham grew up in a small town outside of Erie Pennsylvania.  After completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Mercyhurst College in Erie, she served as a cardiothoracic nurse for several years.  She later received her Doctorate in Optometry from Indiana University followed by subspecialty training in ocular disease for six months at Bascom Palmer in Miami, FL.

Dr. Farnham has practiced medical optometry since 2005 and joined Sightwork Vision Therapy in Denver, NC in 2016 to focus on her passion as a behavioral optometrist. She enjoys practicing full-scope medical optometry for all ages, with a special love for patients with strabismus, amblyopia and learning disabilities along with brain injury rehabilitation for all ages.

Her involvement and accomplishments are far-reaching.  She is a fellow with the American Academy of Optometry, a member of the American Optometric Association and the Piedmont Optometric Society. Her love for children is evident through her community involvement over time. She recently served as a board member with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Child Fatality Protection team, and the Community Child Protection team in Gaston County.  Dr. Farnham is excited about the opportunity to serve our local community.

During her leisure time, Dr. Farnham enjoys running and spending time with her husband and three children.


Megan Boughman O.D.

Optometric Physician

Dr. Boughman was born and raised in Mount Holly, NC. She graduated in 2014 from Appalachian State University with a B.S in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. In 2018 she graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry and received her Doctorate of Optometry. She enjoys practicing full scope optometry, however, spent her externships focusing on ocular disease and pediatrics. She’s a member of the American Optometric Association and the North Carolina State Optometric Society. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, daughter, and Golden Doodle