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!
Amanda Barker-Assell, O.D.
Optometric Physician
Dr. Amanda Barker, a North Carolina native, completed her B.S. in Biology at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill followed by her Doctorate of Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her training at the Northern Navajo Medical Center in New Mexico focused heavily on ocular disease management and treatment while also fostering a deeper love for travel and mission work.
In 2004, Dr. Barker, along with her husband, opened Advanced Family Eye Care in Denver, NC. While she treats patients of all ages, pediatric care and vision therapy has become a primary emphasis. In 2009, she opened SightWork, a vision therapy clinic to more comprehensively manage conditions such as strabismus, amblyopia, traumatic brain injury, and vision related learning delays.
Mission work, both domestically and internationally, is a personal passion for Dr. Barker. Involvement in humanitarian efforts led to the adoption of her eldest child which has been one of the greatest blessings in life. She has had the opportunity to travel to various under-served countries providing eye care along with other humanitarian efforts. Because the needs of her immediate community also weigh heavily on her heart, she has developed various community service projects through her private practice to help individuals close to home.
In her spare time, she loves to read, exercise, work in the community, travel and spend time with her husband and two children.
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.
He then opened Advanced Family Eye Care in Denver, NC in 2004 with his wife and partner Dr. Amanda L. Barker-Assell. 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.
Briana Pettit
Office Manager
Briana is our Office Manger. She has been with Advanced Eye Care since 2016. She is passionate about patient care and providing the “You’ll See. We Care.” attitude. Her contagious smile is always a constant.
Briana was born in Iredell County. She graduated from University of North Carolina in Charlotte with a Bachelors Degree in Anthropology with minors in Science and Religion.
Briana had worked in the Medical and Mental Health field for seventeen years. She enjoys helping others and making a difference with their Eye Care.
She lives in Mooresville with her two dogs and her cat. She enjoys spending time with her family. She loves the beach! Her other interests include reading, decorating and gardening.