Dr. Thomas D. Gilbert is an esteemed optometrist who has made significant contributions to the field of eye care throughout his illustrious career. With a passion for advancing vision health, he founded the Vision Professionals practice in 1974, initially located in Worthington, Ohio. Dr. Gilbert's unwavering commitment to excellence has left an indelible mark on the world of optometry.
Career Highlights:
- Founding Vision Professionals: Dr. Gilbert's journey began in 1974 when he established Vision Professionals. During this time, he also served as a Clinical Instructor at the Ohio State College of Optometry, where he shared his expertise with the next generation of optometrists.
- Focus on Contact Lenses and Children's Vision: Early in his career, Dr. Gilbert specialized in contact lenses and children's vision, recognizing the critical importance of early eye care and the potential for innovative contact lens solutions to enhance patients' lives.
- Pioneering Clinical Studies: Dr. Gilbert played a pivotal role in advancing optometry by participating in numerous FDA Clinical Studies focused on developing groundbreaking contact lens designs and solutions, particularly for hard-to-fit contact lens cases.
- Educational Contributions: Dr. Gilbert's dedication extended to education. He lectured on various eye care topics, including contact lenses, dry eye disease, PRK, Lasik, Refractive IOLs, ICLs, diseases of the eye, and practice management at various prestigious meetings across the United States.
- Professional Memberships: He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Optometric Association, Ohio Optometric Association, Optometric Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Society, and holds the esteemed title of Fellow in the American Academy of Optometry.
- Clinical Director at TLC Laser Eye Centers: After 23 years in private practice, Dr. Gilbert's expertise led him to become the Clinical Director at TLC Laser Eye Centers, where he specialized in PRK, Lasik, and Cataract surgery for an additional 24 years, contributing to the advancement of vision correction techniques.
- Legacy Continuation: Dr. Gilbert's dedication to excellence continues to influence the field of optometry. His successor, Dr. Smiley, took over the practice in 2001 and has upheld the tradition of specializing in hard-to-fit contact lens cases while expanding the practice to five locations. This expansion ensures that the same high-quality professional vision care that Dr. Gilbert provided over the years remains accessible to patients.
Dr. Thomas D. Gilbert's lifelong commitment to enhancing vision health, pioneering new advancements, and educating the next generation of eye care professionals makes him a distinguished figure in the world of optometry. His legacy continues to shape the practice and its dedication to delivering exceptional vision care services.