Dr.
Robert M. Cole III,
Optometric Physician
Partner
“It’s very rewarding to be in practice in a small town and develop personal relationships with so many families!”
After earning a BS in Mathematics and Physics at Salem College, Dr. Cole went on to receive his degree in optometric medicine from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He completed further clinical training in ocular disease and primary care at Atlantic Cumberland Eye Associates, where he subsequently served as a staff physician for over ten years.
In 1986, Dr. Cole went into private practice, founding South Jersey Eye Associates. He has held a position as a faculty member at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry since 1988 and currently serves as an Assistant Professor. The college and its alumni have recognized him with a number of honors, including Basic Science Professor of the Year, Clinical Science Professor of the Year, Rybachuk PCO of the Year and Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year. From 1992 to 2004, he served as Chief of Eye Care Services for the Federal Correction Institution in Fairton, New Jersey.
A fellow of the American Academy Optometry, Dr. Cole is dedicated to the advancement of vision health and actively involved in clinical research and as a consultant for the eyecare product industry. He has published and lectured extensively in all fifty states on topics ranging from anterior segment diseases to contact lenses to eyecare practice management, and is involved in two nationally distributed eye health journals. He serves on the Editorial Board of Annals of Ophthalmology and Glaucoma and acts as the Chief Clinical Editor of The Review of Optometry, having received a Chilton Editorial Award and First Place Non-technical Article Award for his participation. Dr. Cole has served on the professional advisory boards of Vistakon, Innotech, and J & J Ophthalmic Lens Division. He currently is a member of the Advisory Board for the Bennett Practice Management Center in Philadelphia.
Dr. Cole is a member of the American Optometric Association, New Jersey Optometric Physicians Association, South Jersey Optometric Physicians Society and the American Optometric Foundation. In 2001, he was the recipient of the Foundation’s Scientific Achievement Award. As a member of the National Board of Examiners of Optometry, the agency responsible for the licensing of all optometrists, Dr. Cole has served on the Examination Construction Committee and as Chairman of both the Disease Trauma Section and Systemic Systems Section.
Dr. Cole and his wife Anna are longtime residents of Bridgeton where they are proud to have raised their four children, Stephen, Christopher, Melanie and Bobby. In his leisure time, Dr. Cole enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting and weight lifting.