Erin Benjamin, M.D.
Her Life’s Vision
September 2025 Issue
by Edwina Hoyle
Photography by Lindsay Pettinicchi Photography, LLC
In fifth grade, Erin Benjamin decided that she would be an eye doctor. It’s rather unusual for an 11-year-old child to know her life’s vision with such certainty—and to hold steadfast until realizing her dream.
“In middle school I knew I was really good in biology and physics, where I excelled. I was not interested in history or English. There was no other option for me. I wanted to go into medicine,” Erin said. “I was fascinated by my eye doctor. I am very near-sighted and have worn glasses and contacts since I was 15. Mostly it was my dad who influenced me. He said it was a great field to get into because I would follow patients all their lives, it isn’t messy like surgery, and it has better hours.” Erin explained that she wanted kids and marriage, and as an eye doctor, she wouldn’t get called back on weekends.
“Through high school and college, I always came back to eyes. I never really strayed from that goal. I’m the first in my family to go into medicine,” Erin said.
Dr. Erin had an experience that changed her both professionally and personally. “I spent time in West Africa in Guinea during my residency where I performed cataract surgeries. It was really a big moment for me.” It was her first international trip, and she spent a week on Mercy Ships docked in the ports of Guinea, one of the poorest countries in the world. “Each time the ship docked, we would go into the countryside to recruit patients and do eye exams. Then we would do the surgeries on the boat.”
“It was an eye-opening experience for me. People would walk miles to get surgery. I learned new techniques for cataract surgery because there wasn’t modern technology onboard. My mentor was by my side teaching me and helping. He pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. I did about 100 surgeries in seven days. Seeing how happy the patients were the next day was a humbling experience for me. It was the biggest impact seeing them singing and dancing for the doctors. How happy they were. How little they have. It was an ‘a-ha’ moment that showed me why I do what I do.”
Erin loves adventure and traveling. “If we had unlimited time and money, we would travel. Japan is on our bucket list. We go back to Hawaii every year because we got married there, and there also happens to be an ophthalmology conference,” she said. Two favorite trips were to Iceland where she and her husband, Patrick, saw the Northern lights, and Peru where they visited Machu Picchu. “Peru is such a beautiful country, the people are nice, and we felt safe. Rainbow Mountain is a rock formation with striations in the rock that make it look like a rainbow three miles above sea level,” Erin said.
The most meaningful trip they took was in 2018 to the Philippines with her mother. “I’m from the Philippines, and it’s a big part of my culture. I spent my first year of life there before moving to the states. My dad was in the Air Force stationed in the Philippines, and my mom worked in the cafeteria on base. They started dating and then married. My older brother was also born there. Mom was my travel agent on the trip. She translated and showed us around. We went to the hospital where I was born. It was an empty and haunted facility overgrown with weeds and vines. The old hospital was kind of creepy with spirits, but to be able to stand in the space where I was born—even if it is haunted—was really cool.”
Patrick had visited Hilton Head Island growing up. However, after Erin’s first visit to the Lowcountry with Patrick, they sold their home in Maryland and bought a house here just six months after their vacation. Dr. Erin landed a job at Goulas Eye. She is the only pediatric ophthalmologist in Beaufort County. “I just love the Lowcountry, especially Hilton Head—the nature, beauty, weather and the beach, and there’s no snow. It all worked out. Dr. Goulas has introduced us to young professionals in the area, and we’ve met young parents with kids at the community pool. We’re involved in our church, St. Francis. But—our kids are our world.”
Up Close:
Professionally: Erin graduated from medical school in 2009 and has 16 years of experience. She is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology with an emphasis on micro-incision cataract surgery. She is also fellowship-trained in pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus (double vision).
College Sports: Erin was a two-sport athlete in college playing field hockey and softball.
Their Children: Two little boys ages 4 and 1.
Tuning In: She loves music and plays the viola.
Looking Ahead: A long-term goal for the future is to buy, renovate, and rent properties. “It’s something to do on the side when the kids get a little older.”