Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 29, 2026
Dr. Matthew Hammond Named Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 14th Year
TLDR
- Dr. Matthew Hammond's 14th Top Doctor award from Castle Connolly gives patients a competitive edge by accessing elite ophthalmology care from a top 7% physician.
- Dr. Hammond uses advanced diagnostic technology and surgical precision at Carrot LASIK and Eye Center to perform procedures like LASIK and cataract surgery.
- Dr. Hammond's recognition for patient care and compassion improves lives by providing advanced vision correction, making tomorrow brighter for the Phoenix community.
- Dr. Hammond, a former Army ophthalmologist awarded for service, now brings military precision to vision correction using technologies like EVO ICL implants.
Impact - Why it Matters
This recognition matters because it provides patients with a reliable indicator of medical excellence in an often confusing healthcare landscape. Castle Connolly Top Doctor designations help consumers identify physicians who have been vetted by their peers and meet rigorous professional standards, saving patients time and reducing uncertainty when choosing specialists for critical procedures like vision correction surgery. For those considering LASIK, cataract surgery, or other refractive procedures, Dr. Hammond's 14-year recognition streak demonstrates consistent excellence and patient-centered care. His military background adds a layer of precision and discipline to his surgical approach, while the recognition itself validates the advanced technologies and comprehensive diagnostic capabilities available at Carrot LASIK and Eye Center. In a field where outcomes significantly impact quality of life, this designation helps patients make informed decisions about their eye care providers.
Summary
Dr. Matthew Hammond, an ophthalmologist at Carrot LASIK and Eye Center in Mesa, Arizona, has achieved a remarkable professional milestone by being named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor for the 14th consecutive year. This prestigious designation, awarded to only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians, recognizes Dr. Hammond's exceptional expertise in refractive surgery and comprehensive eye care. The selection process involves nominations from peer physicians and rigorous evaluation by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team, ensuring that honorees meet stringent criteria including medical education, training, and professional conduct without any payment for selection.
At Carrot LASIK and Eye Center, Dr. Hammond integrates advanced diagnostic technology with surgical precision to address a wide range of vision correction needs. His specialized procedures include LASIK, Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens implantation, and EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens). The center's comprehensive diagnostic capabilities, featuring advanced corneal mapping and ocular coherence tomography, allow for thorough patient assessment within the same facility. Dr. Hammond emphasizes that this recognition reflects the values he holds most dear: "patient care, compassion, and outcomes."
Dr. Hammond's distinguished career includes earning his medical degree from George Washington University and completing his ophthalmology residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He served nine years as an active-duty 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 military service during the Global War on Terror and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts earned him the Meritorious Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal. This combination of military precision and civilian medical excellence contributes to his recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, a designation that patients can trust when seeking quality vision care in the Phoenix area.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Dr. Matthew Hammond Named Castle Connolly Top Doctor for 14th Year
