About Our Practice

Biltmore Eye Physicians, P.C. was established in September 1990 by sister and brother, Dr. Ann Bullington and Dr. Robert H. Bullington, Jr., to provide personalized ophthalmic care to patients in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area and its neighboring communities. Dr. Aileen Villareal joined the practice in July 1995, while Dr. Bethany Wong joined in December 2021.

The practice provides a variety of ophthalmic services, from comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and ancillary ophthalmic testing, to contact lens fittings and cataract and refractive surgery. Our medical doctors specialize in ophthalmology and are highly trained and skilled clinicians who are certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Our optometrist has completed postgraduate externships in primary eye care and the diagnosis and management of ocular disease. We pride ourselves on our continuing education and our efforts to constantly update our skills to provide our patients with the best care possible.

Why Visit an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist?

While ophthalmologists and optometrists each play an important role in eye care, patients often want to know when to select one over the other. An ophthalmologist is a physician (doctor of medicine, MD, or doctor of osteopathy, DO) who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the prevention of eye disease and injury. As a medical doctor who has completed college and at least eight years of additional medical training, an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, performs eye surgery, and prescribes and fits eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems. Many are also involved in scientific research in hopes of finding causes and new treatments for vision disorders.

Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and vision correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. While not medical doctors, optometrists have earned a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, preceded by three or more years of college. An optometrist primarily performs eye exams and vision tests and corrects refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. Optometrists are also licensed to prescribe medications to treat certain eye problems and diseases.