Christopher K. Keats O.D received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Emory University, before attending Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. Dr. Keats graduated as a doctor of optometry in May, 1999 and practiced in Indiana and Hernando County before purchasing Northwood Vision in 2012. After high school, Chris moved to Atlanta, GA to attend Emory University, graduating with a BS in Biology, with the first two years of his collegiate career at Emory’s parent school, the smaller campus, Oxford College of Emory University.
After Emory, Chris spent one year living in Anchorage, Alaska taking classes and teaching Biology labs. While home at Christmas Break, he met Michaela Spoto, a Tampa native. In the three weeks they knew each other, Chris and Michaela fell instantly in love. Then it was back to Anchorage for Chris, but after five long months apart, they were reunited when Chris came home from Alaska. About a year later, Chris and Michaela were married on July 15, 1995.
The newlyweds relocated to Memphis, TN where they spent the next four years until Chris graduated from Southern College of Optometery as a doctor of optometry in May, 1999. During this time, Michaela was the family bread winner, teaching as a Special Education teacher in the town of Millington just outside Memphis. As Dr. Keats was finishing school, his first born, Katie became a part of the Keats Family. After graduation, Dr. Keats moved his family up to Mishawaka / South Bend Indiana, and practiced there and in Elkhart in a large group practice called Optical One. In just two years, Michaela was already tired of lake effect snow and dreary skies and the young family moved back down to Florida.
They settled in the Hernando County and for eleven years, Dr. Keats worked independently in several practices there, including Sears Optical, Spring Hill Eye Center, Clear Vision Optical, and in a medical referral center called The Eye Center, with Joseph C. Militello, MD. During this time, Dr. Keats established an excellent reputation in the community and was given both the gold and the silver award by the St. Petersburg Times “Best of Hernando” poll at Clear Vision Optical and Sears Optical! His son, Ethan was born in 2001, a true Florida native like his mom! In the summer of 2012, Dr. Keats and his family moved back to the Clearwater area, and settled down in Safety Harbor. At about this time, Dr. Barry Cochran contacted him and offered to sell his practice, Northwood Vision, to Dr. Keats.
At the end of November, 2012, Dr. Cochran retired from Northwood Vision, and Dr. Keats took over the practice. In his spare time, Dr. Keats enjoys kayaking, bike riding, and science fiction. He is active in his new church, and for years, he and Michaela have been committed to helping married couples strengthen their relationships. Meanwhile, Dr. Keats is excited to meet the many patients who have been coming to Northwood Vision for years, and also expand the practice with the new faces that will come through the doors. Thank you for reading about your doctor, and we look forward to getting to know you better in the years to come!