LIBERTY TWP, Ohio - An eye clinic in the Mahoning Valley won't be spending much longer here.

Employees as the Belmont Eye Clinic on Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township confirmed with 21 News that a letter sent out to patients reads that the clinic will be closing its doors permanently effective August 31.

According to employees, over the next few weeks, staff at the clinic will be working to help their patients find other doctors in optometrists in the Mahoning Valley or nearby.

A 21 WFMJ employee who had received a copy of the letter says the reason for the closure is partially due to the passing of Dr. Sherif Hanna, who worked for the clinic according to the letter.

The letter also states that two other doctors with the clinic, Dr. James Kover and Dr. Julianne Matthews are leaving for positions elsewhere.

Patients of Dr. Matthews can still see her by contacting Matthews Eye Associates at 330-758-8183. Matthews Eye Associates is located at 7087 West Boulevard, Suite 3 in Youngstown.

Other options include Eye Care Associates, who can be reached at 330-746-7691 or Douglas Family Eye Care, who can be reached at 330-394-2020. You may also contact your health care provider for a list of eye care providers in the area. 

The second location on Boardman-Canfield Road has already completely closed according to employees on site.

The employees tell us the Liberty location will remain open until August 31 with no doctor on site. The clinic is not seeing any patients at this time and are only helping the patients get their records and trying to arrange other doctors and optometrists.

According to the letter, patients can stop by the Liberty location between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm until August 31 to get a copy of their medical records. 

However, 21 News has received multiple calls to our newsroom Wednesday afternoon reporting that no one was available on site and that the doors were locked and that the phone number listed on the door was not working.

After August 31, you can contact Morgan Records Management at 833-888-0061 or Medical@MorganRM.com. You can also request your records on Morgan Record Management's website.