In 2003, Wilmer’s first full-time Howard County satellite office opened at the Charter Professional Center. The office initially consisted of five exam rooms, one receptionist, one technician and an optician. More than two decades later, Wilmer’s Columbia clinic is now located at the Howard County Medical Pavilion, with a fourth expansion on the horizon. When completed in late 2025, the new office will feature more than 30 exam rooms, with ophthalmologists and optometrists covering the complete scope of eye care.

“From a personal perspective, watching our office grow as it continues to offer outstanding eye care to Howard County residents has been one of the highlights of my life,” says clinic director Dean Glaros, M.D., who joined the Wilmer faculty in 2003. “As a Howard County resident, this has been especially rewarding, and I have always enjoyed seeing patients who are also my neighbors or otherwise connected to my life in the county. However, the best part of my professional life, and what I feel is of the most benefit to our patients, is the scope and quality of eye care that we can provide in one location. As an example, if I see a patient with an eye problem that requires very specialized care, I can literally walk a few feet to an internationally known subspecialist for advice or continued care with that patient. I can’t emphasize enough the advantage that this availability and team approach gives to our deserving patients who have entrusted us with their care."

“As Howard County grows and its residents age, I believe that the Columbia location of the Wilmer Eye Institute is perfectly poised to meet the eye care needs of our patients,” Glaros continues. “We are just as excited to serve those needs as we were in the office’s earliest days.”