Dr. Robert E. Wiggins, Jr., MD

About Dr. Wiggins

Dr. Wiggins earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in 1984, completed an ophthalmology residency at Duke University Hospital from 1985 to 1988, and completed fellowship training in pediatric ophthalmology at a Baylor College of Medicine-affiliated hospital and in neuro-ophthalmology at Duke University Hospital in 1989. After his fellowship training, he spent a year teaching pediatric ophthalmology as a Clinical Assistant Professor at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, an experience he has called an early career highlight. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has practiced at Asheville Eye Associates since 1991, and he has served as the practice's physician administrator since 2000.

Dr. Wiggins served as the 126th President of the American Academy of Ophthalmology beginning in 2022, after serving as 2021 President-Elect. He also served as President of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) from 2016 to 2017, after serving as its Secretary-Treasurer from 2012 to 2015 and chairing its Audit and Finance committees. He was named a 2016-2017 AAPOS Bronze Medalist in recognition of his service as AAPOS President. He currently serves as a board member of the American Board of Ophthalmology and has held prior board leadership positions with the American Academy of Ophthalmic Executives and the Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company.