A Calling That Grew Into a Life of Purpose
At the age of eight, sitting in the waiting room of his very first eye exam, Troy White heard a quiet nudge from his father: “Troy, you should be an eye doctor.” That moment—simple, sincere, and spoken with love—planted the seed of a calling. After a positive visit with his optometrist and a chance to peer behind the slit lamp, young Troy made a decision that never wavered.
Becoming an Eye Doctor
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Dr. White graduated from The McCallie School and earned his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He went on to receive his Doctorate of Optometry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1999, then returned home to begin his professional journey.
He joined a local practice in what would become one of the largest and most respected privately owned optometric practices in Chattanooga. Over the next 24 years, Dr. White helped grow that practice with a guiding philosophy: caring for patients means caring for people.
Dr. Troy White Eyecare
In the fall of 2023, Dr. White opened his private practice, designed around the kind of care he’s always believed in. With advanced diagnostic technology and longer, more intentional appointments, Dr. White is able to offer thorough, efficient, and personal care, free from the limitations of insurance-driven models.
He is a constant student of optometry and wellness, always learning about new tools and technologies to better serve his patients. His passion for whole-person care is reflected in every aspect of the practice, from dry eye treatment and myopia management to his signature line of handcrafted eyewear, The Troy White Collection.
“Even back then, I knew I wanted to help people. I just didn’t realize it would be through their eyes.”
“That was the day it all became real. I had a degree, but even more, I had a purpose.”
“Serving in places like Uganda and Belize reminded me that our skills are a gift. We’re meant to share them.”
A Heart for Mission and Ministry
Dr. White’s commitment to service extends far beyond the exam room. He’s been passionate about medical missions since his time in optometry school, when he took his first trip to provide care abroad. Since then, he’s served in Mexico, Belize, El Salvador, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Uganda, Ecuador, and Brazil—and remains devoted to sharing his knowledge and faith with underserved communities around the world.
Locally, Dr. White was a founding member of Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) Chattanooga, where he served for many years providing care to patients who needed it most.
Dr. White often says this with a quiet smile, and if you’ve been in his chair, you’ve felt how much he means it. Whether fitting a child with myopia control lenses or walking an older patient through post-surgical care, his goal is always the same: to help people live better by helping them see more clearly.
Life Outside His Optometry Office
Dr. White and his wife, Melissa, share a deep love for health and wellness. They continue to learn, grow, and give together, whether through travel, nutrition, or quiet conversations about what it means to live fully and serve faithfully. They have three adult children—Annie, Anderson, and Coleman—and find joy in fitness, family adventures, and their church community.