As of May 20, 2026, Dr. Elkins will no longer be practicing with Austin Eye. We wish her the very best as she returns to her home state of Wisconsin to be closer to her family and have posted her departure letter below.
Although we are sad to see Dr. Elkins move on, we continue to offer the very best in eye care treatment at the hands of some of the most skilled eye doctors and surgeons in Texas and the Greater United States.
If you are a patient of Dr. Elkins, or have been referred to her care, we are happy to schedule a consultation with one of our other highly experienced professionals at your convenience so that you may continue to receive treatment at our state-of-the-art Austin facility.
Dear Valued Patients,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you that I will be leaving my position at Austin Eye effective May 20, 2026.
It has been a privilege to care for you and to be a part of your eye-health journey. I am sincerely grateful for the trust you have placed in me and for the relationships we have built over the years.
Your eye care is very important, and Austin Eye remains committed to providing you with excellent care. You may continue your care with one of the experienced providers at the practice, including Dr. Ashley Deese, OD or Dr. River Ficke, OD, who will be happy to assist with your ongoing eye care needs. You can review their bios on our website here.
Of course, you are free to choose any eye care provider for your future care. If you would like assistance scheduling an appointment with another provider at Austin Eye, please contact our office at 512-250-2020.
Austin Eye will continue to maintain your medical records in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. If you would like to request a copy of your records or have them transferred to another provider, please contact our office and our staff will be happy to assist you. You may also download, complete and return the Medical Records Release Formthat’s available on our website.
Thank you again for allowing me to participate in your care. It has truly been an honor to serve you, and I wish you continued health and all the very best in the future.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katherine Elkins, OD
Katherine Elkins, OD – Bio
Dr. Katherine Elkins is a skilled optometrist originally from Middleton, Wisconsin. She completed her undergraduate studies at Vanderbilt University before obtaining her Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry. Dr. Elkins further honed her skills and expertise by completing a residency program at the Illinois College of Optometry in Ocular Disease. She was grateful to serve as Clinical Associate at the University of Chicago Medicine following her training. During her time at the University of Chicago, she was able to assist in the creation of the first optometry residency program in academic ophthalmology and directed their student externship program in partnership with the Illinois College of Optometry.
With her exceptional training and educational experience, Dr. Elkins provides comprehensive eye care services to her patients, including vision exams, pre and postoperative care, and the diagnosis and management of eye disease. She is dedicated to expanding her knowledge base and providing a personalized patient approach through the use of multimodal imaging and evidence-based medicine, ensuring that her patients receive the best possible care.
Dr. Elkins is a member of several optometric organizations such as the American Academy of Optometry, Beta Sigma Kappa Honors Society, American Optometric Association, and the Academic Medical Center Optometrists Special Interest Group.
In her free time, Dr. Elkins enjoys pursuing a variety of outdoor activities with her husband such as hiking, biking and snowboarding. Scuba diving has also been a recent passion of hers, as she loves to travel to new destinations and explore the underwater world. Additionally, she is an avid dog lover and enjoys fostering dogs to provide them with temporary homes and assist in finding their forever families. As someone new to the Austin area, she is thrilled at the prospect of exploring this vibrant city and all it has to offer!
Watch the Video to learn more about Dr. Elkins
Supporting Our Community
The Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute
The Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute, recently created at the Dell Medical School, is poised to become a leading-edge center for training future ophthalmologists and providing patients with the best medical and surgical eye care possible.
