Raleigh, NC: 919-787-7600

Email: jill.warren@drmackowsky.com

About us

Dr. Mackowsky’s Clinic is a full scope treatment center dedicated to neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation of patients of all ages. We provide a modern and convenient location for comprehensive eye health and vision care in the Triangle area.

Dr. Mackowsky is a certified Fellow of both the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA). With a highly trained and dedicated staff, we are committed to helping patients with vision problems that go beyond 20/20.

Our Staff:

Nancy M. Mackowsky, O.D., FCOVD, FNORA (Owner/Managing Doctor)

Dr. Nancy Mackowsky completed her undergraduate studies in physiology/neurobiology and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Connecticut. She obtained her Doctorate in Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, graduating in the top 10% of her class. She completed an internship at the Pediatric Unit at The Eye Institute in Philadelphia and her residency at Capital Eye Consultants in Fairfax, Virginia.

Training with top experts in the country, Dr. Mackowsky developed a special interest in visual efficiency/perceptual disorders and became dedicated to the advancements in improving these visual skills abilities through integrative training. In November, 1995, she was one of the developers of The Center for Visual Learning at Doctors Vision Center and established a sterling reputation with both the medical and educational communities.

In 1997, her article concerning retinal disorders was published in the Southern Journal of Optometry. In 1998, she completed her written and oral examinations and became a fellow in the prestigious national organization, The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). On April 1, 2010, Dr. Mackowsky purchased the Center for Visual Learning and Rehabilitative Therapy from Doctors Vision Center and changed the name to The Mackowsky Visual Learning and Rehabilitation Clinic. In October of 2013, Dr. Mackowsky was elected to serve as secretary of the COVD International Certification and Examination Board after serving 3 years as a board member. In March 2014, Dr. Mackowsky completed her training with Dr. William Padula in order to provide the latest rehabilitation techniques, known as Neuro-Visual Postural Therapy, to her patients.

In November 2014, she was asked by the NC State Optometric Congress to lecture about the field of Neuro-Optometry to over 400 optometrists at the Grove Park Inn, Asheville.  The lecture was a success in educating primary eye care physicians about acquired brain injuries and the common visual deficits associated with these patients.

On September 16, 2017, she completed the process of becoming a fellow in another highly recognized national organization, The Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA), and received her FNORA award at the 26th annual meeting in Buffalo, New York.  At this meeting, Dr. Mackowsky presented her research paper, “The Role of Gait Analysis, Egocenter and Yoked prism in Parkinson’s Disease”.  Her article was accepted for publication in the April 2018 edition of the Optometry & Visual Performance journal.

In January 2022, she completed her training with Dr. Orlando Da Silva from Lisbon, Portugal in order to treat patients with Proprioceptive Dysfunction Syndrome. She was invited by NORA to lecture at the 2022 annual conference in Columbus, Ohio. She educated members about a systematic method she has developed for prescribing lens/prism corrections for patients with acquired brain injuries.

On February 01, 2023, she became the Chair for the NORA Fellowship program. Other professional activities include being the COVD Membership Keyperson and Practice Enhancement Chairperson.  She was the recipient of both the Doctor Vision Center President’s and Optometric Professional Integrity and Excellence awards.

Dr. Mackowsky’s plans are to advance her research and development of her clinic’s vision rehabilitation program in order to provide her patients with the newest advancements in vision care. Dr. Mackowsky continues to lecture and educate many area groups/hospitals about the specialty of neuro-optometric vision rehabilitation.  She resides in Cary with her husband, Dr. Rich Mackowsky, her two lovely children, Emma and Evan and their beagle, Wilbur.  Dr. Mackowsky enjoys playing golf, snow skiing and scuba diving.

Emily Stone, OTD, OTR/L (Head Optometric Therapist)

Emily graduated summa cum laude with a BS in occupational therapy from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2003. She received an advanced MHS degree from the University of Florida in occupational therapy in 2005, and completed a post professional Occupational Therapy Doctoral degree in 2023 from Boston University. Her doctoral work was focused around improving low vision education for school-based practitioners working with students who
have visual impairments.

During her career as an OT, Emily has worked with all ages and in many settings including hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, home health, and long-term care centers. She spent 10 years providing occupational therapy services to the students of the Governor Morehead School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. During this time, Emily developed a passion for helping those with visual impairments participate independently in all areas of life. To continue developing the clinical skills necessary to provide well-rounded services to those experiencing difficulty with vision, Emily joined Dr. Mackowsky’s team as Head Therapist in 2024.

Emily has been in the Raleigh area since 2008. She now lives in Apex with her husband,
three children, dog, and two cats. She enjoys spending time with her family, exercising,
reading, and hiking.

Barb Byrnes, B.S. (Testing Coordinator)

A native of Winston-Salem, Barb attended Elon University. She graduated with a BS degree in business and an emphasis in marketing. Barb has had a variety of jobs but has spent a large portion of her career working in childcare. She spent 10 years working primarily with 4-year-old preschoolers. She also started and ran a childcare program at a local gym. Looking for a change, Barb joined The Mackowsky Visual Learning and Rehabilitation Center in November of 2020. She has gone through an extensive training program under the supervision of Dr. Mackowsky to become the clinic’s new Testing Coordinator.

Barb and her husband, Bob, have two children, Jack and McCall.  Barb enjoys spending her time helping with many community events in Cary, including running the neighborhood book club for the last 7 years.  When she is not spending time with her family, she enjoys reading, cross stitching and exercising with her friends.

Jill B. Warren, B.S. (Office Manager)

Jill earned her B.S. degree in business administration, with a concentration in marketing, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has worked as an office manager and as an executive assistant for eleven years. She is a NC licensed underwriter and has worked for five years as a title insurance underwriter, specializing in residential and commercial properties. She has also worked as an educator in the Wake County and Chapel Hill/Carrboro School Systems.

Jill is married to Rev. Ray Warren, and has 2 sons, Evan and Grant, and a miniature dachshund named Daisy. She enjoys cooking, gardening, music and travel, as well as church and family activities.