Ophthalmologist Matthew Hammond, M.D., has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the 14th consecutive year he has received this designation. This recognition places him among the 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians selected annually for their regional specialty excellence. The importance of this sustained recognition lies in its validation of consistent clinical expertise and patient care standards in the rapidly evolving field of refractive surgery.
Dr. Hammond practices at Carrot LASIK and Eye Center, a comprehensive facility serving the greater Phoenix area with advanced surgical and medical vision correction services. As a refractive surgery specialist, he integrates modern diagnostic technology with surgical precision to address diverse vision correction needs. This matters because refractive surgery represents a significant quality-of-life intervention for patients, and consistent recognition by peer physicians suggests reliable outcomes and patient satisfaction.
The surgical procedures performed by Dr. Hammond include LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens implantation, and EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens). These advanced technologies ensure safety and accuracy in vision correction, with implications for patients seeking alternatives to traditional glasses or contact lenses. The availability of such comprehensive services within one facility, including advanced corneal mapping and ocular coherence tomography, streamlines patient care and assessment.
Dr. Hammond's background includes medical training at George Washington University and ophthalmology residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. His nine years of active duty as an Army ophthalmologist included service as Chief of Ophthalmology and Director of Warfighter Refractive Surgery at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. This military experience during the Global War on Terror and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, recognized with the Meritorious Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal, brings unique trauma and high-pressure surgical expertise to civilian practice.
The Castle Connolly selection process involves peer physician nominations and evaluation by a physician-led research team based on medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. As noted on their website at https://www.castleconnolly.com, doctors cannot pay for selection, ensuring the recognition's integrity. This matters because it provides patients with independently verified information when selecting specialists for vision correction procedures that can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life.
For the ophthalmology industry, such sustained recognition highlights the importance of integrating advanced technology with consistent surgical skill. It also demonstrates how military medical expertise can translate to civilian healthcare excellence. The broader implication is that patients in the Phoenix area have access to refractive surgery expertise that has been peer-validated annually for over a decade, with potential benefits for surgical outcomes and patient safety in vision correction procedures.
