- 304-636-9111
- 1500 Harrison Avenue, Elkins, WV
- Mon. - Fri. • 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Meet Dr. Craig
Dr. Craig Clifton Hyre, O.D. is a licensed, American Board of Optometry (ABO) Board-Certified optometric physician and clinical director of Family Eye Care Center in Elkins, WV, where he cares for the vision and eye-related medical needs of his patients. Despite his high degree of expertise and training, he remains humble, down-to-earth, and passionate about providing an exceptional level of personalized care for infants, children, teens, adults, and people of all ages.
Dr. Craig is an optometric physician offering medical and vision eye care. During the Covid-19 Pandemic when many providers opted out, he remained on duty and fully dedicated to serving the eye and vision care needs of his patients. Dr. Craig’s areas of specialty include pediatric optometry, primary eye care, glaucoma management, LASIK co-management, treatment of eye injury and management of ocular illness and disease. During his more than 31 years as an optometric physician, Dr. Craig has diagnosed a wide variety of severe conditions and serious issues. He has helped his patients manage everything from serious ocular infections to eye loss with professionalism, as well as the sensitivity and sincere compassion he feels his patients deserve.
“It is very important to me that each patient receives personalized, top-notch care with compassion. I want my patients to feel comfortable, confident, and know that I welcome them to be actively involved in their care. Vision and eye health are so very important to us all and I take my career seriously. I believe it is my duty to carefully listen to the concerns of every patient and perform to the best of my ability for each of them, at every appointment. I take the time to explain everything so that the patient understands what they are dealing with. This is an essential part of helping my patients achieve an optimal outcome, and the satisfaction that I receive as a medical provider entrusted to care for vision – the most precious of all senses.”
Having grown up in Elkins, graduating from Elkins High School in 1981, Dr. Craig went on to
earn his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the Pennsylvania State University in 1985, he obtained his Doctor of Optometry degree from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in Columbus in 1989. Dr. Craig then completed his residency in Binocular Vision and Pediatric Optometry at State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry in 1990. Then, he returned to open his first practice in Beverly, West Virginia, later that year. During his first year of eligibility, Dr. Craig was accepted as a prestigious Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 1992, a designation reserved to optometrists licensed to practice at the highest level. He is also a member of the American Optometric Association. In 2004, Dr. Craig and his father, Dr. E. Clifton Hyre (both optometric physicians), joined their practices and opened Family Eye Care Center in Elkins to better serve the needs of their patients.
In 2013, he became eligible and was bestowed the honor of being a diplomate in the American Board of Optometry, “demonstrating a competency beyond entry level”, which he continues to hold in their MOC (maintenance of certification) testing.
Our optometric physician, Dr. Craig, completed his residency in Pediatric Optometry State University of New York – Manhattan (SUNY). He offers quality pediatric vision and eye care designed just for infants!
Dr. Craig was named West Virginia Optometrist of the Year by the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians (WVAOP) for his active involvement and dedication to the profession. He later went on to serve as president of WVAOP.
Dr. Craig is recognized as a much-respected expert in his field. He is affiliated with Davis Medical Center and collaborates with other physicians, medical providers, and health care professionals to work toward the best possible outcome for his patients. When an especially challenging eye or vision issue arises, providers know they can rely on Dr. Craig. He receives many referrals from other doctors and has treated patients from throughout all areas of West Virginia, as well as surrounding states.
Dr. Craig is a leading voice in the field of ocular medicine. He has given lectures both locally and nationwide. His expertise has been solicited by numerous optometric associations and boards of education, as well as business, industry, and civic organizations. Dr. Craig provides professional consultations and conducts continuing education seminars to help promote advancement in the field of medical optometry. He was one of only 50 West Virginia optometric physicians (and the only doctor in Randolph County) to successfully complete the recent injections course sponsored by the West Virginia Association of Optometric Physicians and administered by the University of Alabama School of Optometry.
Dr. Craig is a native of Elkins, where he currently resides with wife Shelley and two sons, Brant and Zach. He remains an active member of our community where he is currently a member of the First United Methodist Church in Elkins. For many years, he served as a board member of the Mountain State Forest Festival, as well as serving in the capacity of Director General in 1997. In addition, Dr. Craig was a past president of the Tygart Valley Lions Club. He also served as an active Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) for numerous schools in the region. Over the years, he has volunteered his time to serve as a coach in many local youth leagues, as well. In his free time, Dr. Craig enjoys spending time with his family, scuba diving, and working on improving his skills as an actor and amateur pilot.
Until Next Time, We’ll Be Seeing You!