meet bellasee
See beautifully
dr. heather skeens
Heather M. Skeens, MD, CFMP, is a cornea, cataract, and refractive fellowship trained ophthalmologist with 17 years experience in her field. She is the founder of her practice, the West Virginia Cornea and Cataract Center of Excellence, PLLC, and the founder of Bellasee Franchising, LLC.
Dr. Skeens performs full thickness cornea transplantation(PK), and partial thickness cornea transplantation(DSEK, DMEK and DALK), as well as artificial cornea transplant.
Dr. Skeens performs state-of-the art, painless and sutureless small incision cataract surgery and laser cataract surgery. Additionally, she is fellowship trained in the treatment of complex cataract surgery. Dr. Skeens performs bladeless LASIK as well as PRK for the correction of refractive errors.
Other areas of surgical expertise for Dr. Skeens include anterior segment reconstruction in eyes that have undergone chemical or thermal burns, corneal collagen cross-linking, pterygium removal, and stem cell transplantation for limbal stem cell deficiency induced by genetic abnormality, autoimmune disease, or injury. Amniotic membrane therapy for stem cell deficiency, as well as dry eye is available. Dr. Skeens specializes in the treatment of advanced ocular surface disease, dry eye disease, contact lens related cornea issues, and cornea ulcers.
Dr. Skeens received a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude in biology from the University of Kentucky in 1998. She received a medical degree with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, and an internship in Internal Medicine from Marshall University School of Medicine in Huntington, W.V. She completed residency at the West Virginia University Department of Ophthalmology, followed by cornea and cataract fellowship from the prestigious Cincinnati Eye Institute. Dr. Skeens served on the faculty of the Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. She is in addition, a Certified Functional Medicine Provider, and is board-eligible for the Diplomate in Clinical Nutrition examination.
Dr. Skeens is a member with thesis of The Cornea Society, as well as a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS), and International Society of Refractive Surgery. She has authored journal articles and book chapters on congenital stem cell deficiency, cornea transplantation, pterygium removal, and the management of post cornea transplant astigmatism. Dr. Skeens’ outside interests include spending time with her family, as well as cooking, yoga, and taekwando. She is certified by the Korean Taekwando Association as a third degree black belt, and is studying for her fourth. Dr. Skeens founded Almost Heaven Yoga and Sauna Services in Summersville, WV.
In 2022, Dr. Skeens founded Bellasee Franchising, LLC, through which she guides ophthalmologists across the country on developing their private ophthalmology practices in offering luxury eyecare in a calming, spa-like environment. Her model both alleviates fears surrounding eye surgery for patients, and provides a streamlined, work-life balance for doctors, helping to eliminate physician burn out.
Dr. Skeens is
board certified
testimonials
Very friendly and caring Made me feel like family
David Doss
Everyone was so nice. Very thorough and explained each procedure they were doing. There was no long waiting time and I was in and out in a reasonable amount of time.
Dorena Dunlop
I was very pleased with the Doctor and all the staff. I felt very relaxed and at ease while I was there. Thank you!
Joseph Crowder
I received very good care & everyone was nice & polite. They told me everything they were going to do. I would recommend them to my family & friends.
Yvonne Swisher
Very knowledgeable & informative. Took time to listen to all my concerns.