Dr. Emily Carter Patterson is a native of Tupelo, MS, and a graduate of Tupelo High School. She received her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Pre-Optometry from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. While at MSU, she was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Academic Society, Lambda Sigma Academic Honor Society, and the Pre-Optometry club.

In 2022, Dr. Patterson received her Doctorate of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, graduating cum laude. While attending SCO, she was a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Fraternity, a Student Ambassador, a Mississippi SREB Regional Contract Seat recipient, a member of Gamma Omicron women's leadership society, the Mississippi Optometric Student Association, Fellowship of Christian Optometrists club, and received the SECO Past President's scholarship. Dr. Patterson completed her externship training at The Eye Center in Memphis, TN, Olive Branch Eye Care in Olive Branch, MS, and Ralph H. Johnson VAMC in Charleston, SC. She has a special interest in fitting specialty contact lenses, myopia management, and ocular disease.

In July of 2022, Dr. Patterson began working as an associate with Southern Eye Care. Dr. Patterson is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Mississippi Optometric Association. Dr. Patterson is a board member of the Mississippi Vision Foundation and an active volunteer at UMMC’s Jackson Free Clinic. Dr. Patterson is married to her husband, Reid, and attends Redeemer Church in Jackson, MS. She is an active member of Junior League of Jackson. Dr. Patterson enjoys painting, baking, gardening, and traveling with her friends and family. On weekends, Dr. Patterson and her husband like visiting farmers' markets with their dog, Roo.