Dr. Matthew Hammond, an ophthalmologist with Carrot LASIK and Eye Center in Mesa, Arizona, has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the 14th consecutive year he has received this professional distinction. This recognition places him among an elite group, as only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors within their specialties and geographic regions.
The designation reflects Dr. Hammond's commitment to integrating modern diagnostic technology with surgical precision to address a wide spectrum of vision correction needs. At Carrot LASIK and Eye Center, a comprehensive eye care facility serving the greater Phoenix area, he specializes in refractive surgery procedures including 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 surgical interventions utilize advanced technologies to prioritize patient safety and procedural accuracy.
Dr. Hammond attributes the recognition to core values fundamental to his practice. "We're being recognized for excellence in the values that we hold in the most esteem - patient care, compassion, and outcomes. We do what we believe in," he stated. This patient-centered philosophy is supported by the center's comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, which include advanced corneal mapping and ocular coherence tomography. These technologies enable thorough assessment of patient candidacy for specific refractive procedures within the same facility, streamlining the care pathway.
The selection process for Castle Connolly Top Doctors involves peer physician nominations followed by evaluation from the physician-led Castle Connolly research team. According to information published at https://castleconnolly.com, nominees are assessed based on criteria including medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Notably, physicians cannot pay to be selected for this honor, reinforcing the merit-based nature of the recognition.
Dr. Hammond's medical background includes earning his degree from George Washington University and completing his ophthalmology residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He subsequently served nine years on active duty as an ophthalmologist in the United States Army, including roles as Chief of Ophthalmology and Director of Warfighter Refractive Surgery at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. His service during the Global War on Terror and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts earned him the Meritorious Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.
For patients and the broader healthcare community, this repeated recognition signals consistent clinical excellence and technological proficiency in a specialized medical field. It provides a benchmark for quality in refractive surgery, potentially influencing patient choice and setting standards for ophthalmic care practices. The emphasis on peer validation and rigorous selection criteria offers reassurance regarding the caliber of recognized physicians, while the integration of advanced diagnostics with surgical services exemplifies a modern, efficient model for specialized medical care delivery.
