Kristen Gayeski Tinkler, OD, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Emory University in Atlanta, GA, and attended optometry school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. She then completed a residency in ocular disease, specialty contact lenses (including scleral, RGP, and hybrid lenses), and low vision at Wm. Jennings Bryn Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, SC.

Dr. Gayeski Tinkler is a past president of the Coastal Carolina Optometric Society and serves as Vice Chair on the Executive Board for the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired South Carolina. She reviews Continuing Education for the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry and is a Scenario Author for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. Dr. Gayeski Tinkler has been practicing medical optometry in Charleston since 2011. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She resides in West Ashley with her husband and two sons.