Doctors & Staff
Meet the experienced and friendly doctors and staff who make Downey Eye Clinic the leading provider of vision care products and services in Columbia.
Dr. Jacob Burton
Dr. Burton is a comprehensive optometrist who specializes in primary vision care, contact lens fittings, problem-focused eye examinations, pediatric eye care, urgent eye care, and pre- and post-operative eye care. He is also credentialed in expanded therapeutic procedures that allow him to perform certain laser procedures in the office as needed.
As an Adair County native, Jacob attended and graduated from the Adair County School system in 2004. He then obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Kentucky in 2008 and his Doctorate of Optometry from Indiana University in 2012. Upon graduating from IU he returned home and joined Downey Eye Clinic in Columbia, where he currently resides with his wife, Malory Burton, and their two children, Knox and Nora.
Dr. Burton is licensed for the practice of optometry by the state examining board of Kentucky. He is a member of the Kentucky Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association, and currently serves on the Board of Health for Adair County.
Dr. Sarai Williams
Dr. Sarai Williams joined Downey Eye Clinic in 2019. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biotechnology. She graduated summa cum laude from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN where she was also inducted into the Gold Key and Beta Sigma Kappa honor societies—the highest honors bestowed to a student.
Originally from Casey County, Dr. Williams is excited to serve the eye care and vision needs of rural Kentucky. She currently resides in Liberty, KY with her husband, Jordan, and their Goldendoodle, Memphis.
Dr. Williams is a member of both the American Optometric Association and the Kentucky Optometric Association.
Dr. Amanda Ballard
Dr. Amanda Ballard joined Downey Eye Clinic in the fall of 2022 after practicing in her hometown of Lebanon, KY for over 13 years. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Biology from Western Kentucky University in 2004 and her Doctorate of Optometry from Indiana University School of Optometry in 2009. She is looking forward to continuing her career in Columbia and serving south central Kentucky.
Dr. Ballard provides comprehensive optometric care which includes pre and post-operative care for cataracts and refractive surgery, diabetic eye exams, diagnosis and management of ocular disease, as well as prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses.
She resides in Lebanon, where she lives with her husband, Walter, their three daughters, Sophie, Lilly and Evelyn and an assortment of pets. When she is not in the office you can find her camping, crafting, cooking and cheering for the St. Dominic Knights.
Dr. Ballard is a member of the Kentucky Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association and serves on the Board of Health for Marion County.