Legacy of Care
Dr. Colby Stewart has always known that he was going to help people with their vision. Raised in Houston, Texas, by his mother and father, the late Dr. Robert Stewart, Colby was constantly surrounded by the nation's leading ophthalmologists and their patients. Dr. Robert Stewart was one of the original founding doctors at Houston Eye Associates and eventually helped create one of the largest ophthalmology group practices in the United States.
Education
Dr. Colby Stewart attended St. Thomas High School in Houston, Kent Preparatory School in Kent, Connecticut, and the University of Texas in Austin, before graduating from the University of Texas Ophthalmology residency program in Galveston in 1996. He completed a six-month fellowship in oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery before moving to Tennessee to join a private practice. In 1998 he became Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and was one of the first to be re-certified in 2009.
Training
From 1997 to 2003, Dr. Stewart worked exclusively in middle and east Tennessee, including cities such as Nashville, Cookeville, and Knoxville. He worked together with local eye care providers and optometrists. As their primary surgeon, he performed oculoplastic procedures, topical anesthetic cataract surgery, glaucoma procedures, and a new form of refractive surgery called LASIK. In 1998 he was the first surgeon to perform LASIK surgery in Cookeville. He quickly became recognized across Middle Tennessee for his surgical skills and his contributions to laser and cataract surgery. Dr. Stewart developed tracking and nomogram software for his LASIK practice that many doctors, including Dr. Stewart, still use today to monitor LASIK outcomes and to ensure that patients are appropriate candidates for this procedure. In 2004, Dr. Stewart returned to his hometown to join his father and Houston Eye Associates. During this time, he focused on improving his surgical skills and introducing new techniques to improve patient outcomes and experiences.
Innovation
Dr. Stewart was the first surgeon in East Tennessee (Knoxville) to replace the keratome (blade) used in traditional LASIK procedures with the IntraLase Laser. He later invented an instrument using this specific laser, the Stewart Vibrating IntraLase Spatula. Dr. Stewart has performed over 25,000 successful LASIK surgeries at the time this biography was written. He continues to help patients become less dependent on glasses using LASIK and laser cataract refractive surgery including multifocal, and astigmatism-correcting intraocular implants.
Dr. Stewart was one of the first surgeons to perform topical anesthetic cataract surgery rather than the customary retrobulbar block (needle). Performing topical cataract surgery allowed his patients to see immediately after surgery and avoid the use of a bulky patch. With new advances in intraocular implants and surgical incisions becoming smaller (no-stitch surgery), most patients could resume their normal activities the day after surgery and be less dependent on glasses or contacts.
Dr. Stewart was the first surgeon in Tennessee to use the Toric intraocular lens, helping reduce or eliminate astigmatism. He was also one of the first to introduce multifocal premium intraocular lenses for cataract patients to allow them to see without glasses for both near and distance vision. Dr. Stewart has been published in Ocular Surgery News, participated in over 40 surgical FDA studies, and has given many lectures to patients and doctors around the country.
Professional
Dr. Stewart is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. In 2008, he was asked to be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He frequently gives continuing education seminars for eye care professionals and works with optometrists to co-manage surgical patients. He has been a primary and secondary investigator in multiple FDA studies for new advances in both topical medications, surgical instrumentation, and intraocular lens implants.
Personal
Dr. Stewart has three children. They spend their summer months deep sea fishing together, and their winter months in South Texas hunting deer and quail. He is an avid photographer and enjoys traveling with his family and friends. Dr. Stewart is dedicated to his practice and goes above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that his patients have the best surgical outcomes and positive experiences.
www.colbystewartmd.com
