Dr. Stephen Hinkle

Dr. Stephen W. Hinkle is from High Point, North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed his Doctorate in Optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, where he received extensive training in cornea, retina, and neuro-ophthalmology.

Proficient in Spanish, Dr. Hinkle can conduct eye examinations for Spanish-speaking patients. He has received additional training in dry eye management and has incorporated cutting-edge technologies that offer advanced diagnosis and treatment options. His passion for proactively and comprehensively addressing dry eye arises from his own experiences with dry eye syndrome.

At his former practice in Loudoun County, he was awarded ‘Best Eye Exam Quality on the East Coast’ among doctors located next to nationwide retailers. He was honored with third place in the nation. He is an active member of the American Optometric Association, the Virginia Optometric Association, and the Northern Virginia Optometric Society. Dr. Hinkle has also participated in the American Optometric Association’s Low Vision Section and InfantSee program.

Dr. Hinkle has been involved with Business Network International, was a charter member of the Ashburn Rotary Club, and is an active member of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. He has past involvement with Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), contributing to the Intercom newspaper and speaking at the school’s Medical Education Campus. His educational talks on eye health span students of various ages beyond NVCC.

Dr. Hinkle’s greatest joy is his family, including his wife, Dr. Sapho Doan, and their young adult children, Ethan and Ella. He values time with his family and their many pets: PeeWee, Mimi, Miss Kitty, Reese, and Sebastian. Notably, Dr. Hinkle’s grandfather’s first cousin was the renowned broadcast journalist and war correspondent Edward R. Murrow.

In 2010, Dr. Hinkle began caring for Ryan Diviney, a young man from Ashburn who survived a tragic assault that resulted in Ryan’s inability to close his eyes due to his minimally conscious state. Through Dr. Hinkle’s weekly home visits to Ryan, he inspiredly witnessed the brilliance and strength of this young man and his family, and the Ashburn community’s love, compassion, and support. Through the years of Ryan’s battle to live and return to a conscious state, Dr. Hinkle came to realize Ryan’s legacy was to bring more love and give more in this life than you take away when you leave. Ryan Diviney passed away on August 31, 2019, just shy of his 30th birthday. Dr. Hinkle continues to honor Ryan’s legacy of love and generosity. The documentary ‘Storming’ will soon share more about Ryan and his family. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the goodness and extraordinary spirit present in the world.