Ophthalmologist Matthew Hammond, M.D., has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the 14th consecutive year he has received this professional recognition. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually for this designation within their specialties and regions. Dr. Hammond practices at Carrot LASIK and Eye Center, a comprehensive eye care facility serving the greater Phoenix area with advanced surgical and medical vision correction services.
The Castle Connolly selection process involves peer physician nominations followed by review by the physician-led research team. Doctors cannot pay to be selected, with the team evaluating nominees based on medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at https://www.castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications.
As a refractive surgery specialist, Dr. Hammond integrates modern diagnostic technology with surgical precision to address diverse vision correction needs. "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," Dr. Hammond stated regarding the recognition. The surgical interventions performed by Dr. Hammond utilize advanced technologies to ensure safety and accuracy, including LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis), Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), Cataract Surgery with Premium Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation, and EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens).
Beyond surgical procedures, Carrot LASIK and Eye Center features comprehensive diagnostic capabilities including advanced corneal mapping and ocular coherence tomography, allowing thorough assessment of patient candidacy for specific refractive procedures within the same facility. Dr. Hammond's medical background includes earning his medical degree from George Washington University, followed by an internship and ophthalmology residency at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. 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 military service encompassed periods during the Global War on Terror and Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, earning him the Meritorious Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal. The sustained recognition of Dr. Hammond over 14 years indicates consistent adherence to the professional standards evaluated by Castle Connolly's physician-led review process. For patients seeking refractive surgery or comprehensive eye care, such repeated recognition provides an indicator of proven expertise and commitment to patient-centered care values that have been validated through peer assessment over an extended period.
