About Our Practice in Celina & Fort Recovery, OH

Dr. Gerlach performed his undergraduate work at The Ohio State University, where he majored in pre-optometry and zoology. He was accepted early into The Ohio State University College of Optometry after 3 years of undergraduate work. He received his Doctorate of Optometry in 1999. During his time at Ohio State, Dr. Gerlach received extensive ocular disease training at the Dayton VAMC externship site.

Dr. Gerlach is board-certified by the American Board of Optometry, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and is a member of the American Optometric Association. He is a past president of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Mercer, Auglaize and Van Wert counties, a past president of St. Henry Community Club, a past exalted ruler of The Mercer County Elks, and a past zone governor of the American Optometric Association. He has participated in ophthalmic mission trips to Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Guatemala.

Dr. Gerlach, his wife Melissa, daughter Sophie, son Owen, and golden retriever Zoe reside in St. Henry.

Dr. Lindsay Dues graduated with her bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Bowling Green State University in 2008. She then studied at The Ohio State University College of Optometry and received her doctorate in 2012. Dr. Dues enjoys working with patients of all ages, from children in need of vision therapy to seniors with low vision.

Dr. Dues has had the privilege and opportunity to participate in several optometric mission trips to Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. As a member of Students Volunteering Optometric Services to Humanity, she helped bring donated glasses and eye care to those in need. She is also an active member of the American Optometric Association and has served as a past zone governor of the Ohio Optometric Association.

Dr. Dues, her husband Andy, sons Carter, Noah, Levi, and dog Bailey reside in St. Henry.

Dr. Makayla Hemmelgarn graduated from Ohio Northern University in 2020 with her bachelor’s degree in Biology. She then studied at The Ohio State University College of Optometry and received her Doctorate in 2024. Dr. Hemmelgarn enjoys working with patients of all ages and those requiring special visual needs, including binocular vision, vision therapy and low vision. Dr. Hemmelgarn has had the privilege and opportunity to participate in several optometric mission trips to Tennessee and the Bahamas. As a member of Students Volunteering Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH) she along with 45 other volunteers served almost 28% of the Great Exuma Island population and helped bring donated glasses and eye care to those in need. While in Optometry School, Dr. Hemmelgarn served as Secretary of the Student Council, Fundraising Chair for SVOSH and Vice President and Fundraising Chair for the Low Vision Club. She is also an active member of the American Optometric Association and the Ohio Optometric Association. Dr. Hemmelgarn and her husband, Alex, reside in St. Henry.