Dr. Tom Edmonds, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Tom Edmonds, who serves patients in Virginia.

Dr. Edmonds is a board-certified ophthalmologist, who specializes in cataract and refractive surgery. Having performed over 20,000 cataract and refractive procedures, he is one of the most experienced surgeons in Virginia. 

Over the years, he has earned a reputation as one of the area’s finest, and most innovative cataract surgeons. He performed the area’s first “no-needle, no-stitch” cataract procedure. He was also the first to implant both the ReStor Multifocal IOL and the Symfony EDOF IOL after cataract surgery. 

In addition to being one of only six eye surgeons in Virginia to be board certified in LASIK surgery by the Board of Eye Surgeons, he was also the first surgeon in the area to perform a custom LASIK procedure. 

Professionally, he is one of the Founders of Tidewater Eye Centers with locations in Chesapeake, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, Virginia. Learning from his grandfather and father, who were the only physicians in a small Virginia town, Dr. Edmonds understands the importance of maintaining open communication and trust with each patient. He performs every preoperative workup himself and takes the time to thoroughly explain the procedure, answer any questions, and identify the individual needs of each patient. He believes success lies not in volume, but in the quality of his surgical results and the patient’s satisfaction.

Among his hospital and surgical center affiliations, Dr. Edmonds is affiliated with Chesapeake General Hospital, Maryview Hospital, Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View, and Bon Secours Virginia Beach.

As for his educational background, he earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia before going on to obtain his Medical Degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. Thereafter, he completed an internship at Riverside Hospital, a pre-residency fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina, and a residency at Tulane University. 

In order to stay up to date in his field, he remains a member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the Medical Society of Virginia, and the Virginia Society of Ophthalmology.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are experts in the diseases, functions, and anatomy of the eye. They may provide routine care such as vision testing, as well as prescribe and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, ophthalmologists are also surgeons. They repair traumatic injuries to the eye and perform cataract and corneal surgery. 

On the subject of his community involvement, he is an active member of multiple local church, civic, and medical boards. For over 20 years, he has provided free cataract surgery for local patients who do not have the means to pay for it. He has also traveled regularly to Africa and Honduras to provide free cataract surgery through a one to two week medical mission.

In his personal life, Dr. Edmonds currently resides in Virginia Beach with his wife, Bebe, who is a practicing dermatologist. They have three grown daughters. In their spare time, they enjoy boating, golfing, and biking.

Recommended Articles

• 6 Helpful Tips for Good Eye Health

  Nutrients for good visionMany studies have show that nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zinc, and vitamins C and E help to prevent eye disorders associated with aging.Some foods that may help to maintain eye health include:...

• What Are the Side Effects of Lasik Eye Surgery?

  Nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism are eye disorders that can be rectified through eye surgery, enabling you to avoid the tedium of using glasses and contact lenses to see distant objects and to read comfortably. In Lasik eye surgery, an excimer laser removes tissue from the cornea,...

• What Are the Symptoms and Treatment Options for Blepharitis?

  Blepharitis refers to the inflammation of the eyelid resulting in red and itchy eyes. This is a very common eye condition and can affect people of all age groups. It is not a very serious condition and will not affect one's vision in the future. Yet, blepharitis can be very uncomfortable and...

• What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of LASIK Eye Surgery?

  LASIK, or laser in situ keratomileusis, is a very popular surgical procedure to correct and improve vision, and reduces an individual's dependence on contact lenses and glasses. It is a very common refractive surgical procedure to correct different types of vision issues, including nearsightedness,...

• How to Prepare for Lasik Eye Surgery

  Lasik (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), commonly referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, is a revolutionary new technology that corrects distortion in vision using focused laser beams to remove corneal tissue. The reconstruction of the surface of the cornea enables it...

• Can I Have Cataract Surgery on Both Eyes at the Same Time?

  When your doctor determines that both eyes have a cataract, the eye having a denser cataract will be operated on first. After a couple of days or weeks, the second eye can then be operated on.This approach gives the first eye time to recover and the vision to stabilize as you wait for another...