Our Doctors
At Eye Doctors of Washington, we provide comprehensive eye care services and utilize the latest technology to achieve the best possible results for our patients. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists have been providing top-quality care for the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area for more than 40 years. If you are interested in receiving treatment from some of the most highly-respected specialists in the field of ophthalmology, contact Eye Doctors of Washington today.
Ophthalmologists
Optometrists
Ophthalmologists
The physicians at Eye Doctors of Washington are regarded as some of the best in the field of ophthalmology and have earned countless recognitions and top honors from their peers. Our board-certified ophthalmologists are all fellowship trained in their subspecialty and are some of the most experienced physicians in the Washington , DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area. Learn more about our team below.
Thomas E. Clinch, M.D.
Thomas E. Clinch M.D. is a widely respected member of the ophthalmology community and serves as co-chief refractive surgeon at the Eye Doctors of Washington. Dr. Clinch has administered in excess of 15,000 LASIK surgery cases and has been acknowledged as a “VISX® STAR surgeon,” classifying him amongst the premier LASIK surgeons in the nation. In fact, Dr. Clinch served in the capacity of investigator in the clinical studies that led to the FDA’s approval of: LASIK, PRK, and Intacs®. In addition to his work at Eye Doctors of Washington, He also serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at George Washington University and Washington Hospital Center.
For more detailed information on Dr. Thomas Clinch, please click here.
Douglas E. Gaasterland, M.D.
Dr. Gaasterland is a 1965 graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. After an internal medicine internship in Baltimore, he completed residency training at Yale-New Haven Hospital in 1970. Following residency he moved to the National Eye Institute where he completed fellowship training in Glaucoma and Clinical Research. After service in the United States Army, he returned to the National Eye Institute in 1973 as a member of the senior clinical staff, serving as Director of the Glaucoma Research Unit. In 1984, Dr. Gaasterland joined the faculty of the Center for Sight at Georgetown University as Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Glaucoma and Laser Service. He is currently the Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at both Georgetown University and George Washington University.
With a background in engineering, Dr. Gaasterland has been active in development of lasers for ophthalmic treatment for nearly 30 years. He holds two patents for ophthalmic laser treatment devices. He is the author of more than 100 scientific papers and numerous book chapters. He is an expert in the conduct of clinical trials and serves on numerous national and international glaucoma committees, including membership in monitoring committees for multi-center clinical trials in glaucoma.
As an internationally renowned ophthalmologist and specialist in the treatment of Glaucoma and Anterior Segment disease, Dr. Douglas Gaasterland is:
- Co-Director of the Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) - the largest clinical study of Glaucoma
- Principal Investigator for the Washington, DC, Center of the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS)
- A scientific reviewer for eight ophthalmic journals
- A past member of the editorial boards of Lasers and Light in Ophthalmology and Generic Ophthalmology
Dr. Gaasterland lives in the Washington area where he enjoys running, fishing, and his garden.
Paul C. Kang, M.D.
Paul C. Kang M.D. is a recognized authority in the field of ophthalmology and is co-chief refractive surgeon at Eye Doctors of Washington D.C. Growing up as a son to a blind father inspired Dr. Kang to dedicate his professional life to helping correct the vision of his patients. In addition to performing laser vision correction procedures, Dr. Kang also: serves as a scientific reviewer for the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, is part of the Visual Sciences Committee at the National Institute of Health, and serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology at Georgetown University and the Washington Hospital Center.
For more detailed information on Dr. Paul Kang, please click here.
Susan Majlessi, M.D.
Dr. Susan Majlessi is a seasoned and skilled refractive surgeon in practice at Eye Doctors of Washington. Dr. Majlessi is proficient in the latest advancements available in refractive surgery, including Custom Lasik and Custom PRK. Dr Majlessi joins Thomas Clinch and Paul Kang as Eye Doctors of Washington’s refractive surgeons. Dr. Majlessi attended medical school at George Washington School of Medicine, where she was the two-time recipient of the prominent Hilda Drake Scholarship in Ophthalmology. Upon successful completion of her training, Dr. Majlessi completed a corneal and refractive surgery fellowship under the direction of Doctors Thomas Clinch and Paul Kang.
For more detailed information about Dr. Susan Majlessi, please click here.
John F. O’Neill, M.D.
Dr. John O’Neill is a 1956 graduate of the Georgetown University School of Medicine and trained in ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati and Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Denver. Following military service, he spent an additional year training in pediatric ophthalmology at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC, and then joined the practice of Dr. Frank Costenbader, a pioneer in children’s eye care and considered to be the founding father of pediatric ophthalmology.
In 1983 he joined the full-academic faculty at Georgetown University Medical Center and established their first pediatric ophthalmology service. During this period he also served as Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Training Program, was responsible for the pediatric training of residents, and started the post-residency fellowship training program in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus surgery.
Dr. O’Neill has been a member of the senior attending staff and an officer of the medical staff of the Children’s National Medical Center for many years and served as Chairman of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s National Committee on Pediatric and School Eye Safety. He has participated in research projects and authored scientific papers and book chapters dealing with visual disorders and eye diseases of children. He was a charter and organizing member of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus and the National Children’s Eye Care Foundation, and is a life member in the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
His academic credentials include appointments as Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics at the Georgetown University Medical Center and School of Medicine and also Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. His areas of special interest and expertise include ocular motility disorders in children and adults, ocular infections of the newborn and infant, and the visual disorders related to learning disabilities.
In addition to his practice as an ophthalmologist in Washington, DC, Dr. O’Neill has had a special relationship with the pediatricians of the Annapolis area and Anne Arundel County, and has a satellite office in Annapolis where he sees his pediatric and adult patients with strabismus.
G. Vike Vicente, M.D.
Strabismus and Pediatric Eye Surgery
Following the completion of his fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at the Harvard-Boston Children’s Hospital, Dr. Vike Vicente joined the team of ophthalmologists at EDOW and Dr. John O’Neill. Their practice is the continuation of that of Dr. Frank Costenbader, known as the founder of pediatric ophthalmology in the United States.
Dr. Vicente’s previous training included undergraduate studies at the College of William and Mary, and medical school at Thomas Jefferson Medical College from both of which he graduated with honors. Dr. Vicente completed an ophthalmology residency at George Washington University and Children’s National Medical Center. He was elected chief resident, responsible for the training of resident doctors.
Dr. Vicente is board certified in ophthalmology by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Both Dr. O’Neill and Dr. Vicente have been voted as “ Top Docs” by their colleagues and Washingtonian magazine.
As a child, Dr. Vicente lived in different countries across South America. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
While at Harvard, he received an award for teaching and developed new techniques for eye muscle and pediatric cataract surgery. He has been an invited speaker at national conferences, and has been an author in a pediatric infectious disease textbook and research papers.
Within pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, his areas of special interest include: adjustable suture strabismus surgery, congenital ptosis, eye infections, retinopathy of prematurity, obstructed nasal lacrimal ducts, pediatric cataract surgery, and BOTOX® muscle injection for strabismus.
Presently, Dr. Vicente has office hours in the Chevy Chase, Annapolis, and K St. offices. He is a clinical attending physician at Georgetown University Hospital, Children’s National Medical Center, and an assistant clinical professor at George Washington University Hospital.
Dr. Vicente lives with his wife and son in Bethesda, Maryland. He enjoys running, teaching, home renovation, and is active in environmental causes.
Optometrists
The optometrists of Eye Doctors of Washington have the background and training to provide the most efficient and best care possible for every patient that walks through our doors. Learn more about the team of optometrists at Eye Doctors of Washington, serving the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area.
Dr. Melissa A. Barbor, O.D.
Dr. Melissa Barbor has been practicing as an optometrist in the Washington, DC, area for the past 12 years. She graduated from Juniata College after earning a Bachelor of Science in biology and history. She then attended the Pennsylvania College of Optometry where she completed a bachelor’s degree in Visual Sciences and a doctorate in Optometry. Dr. Barbor graduated with honors and was selected to be a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Society. She completed an internship in ocular disease at Omni Eye Services in Atlanta. Dr. Barbor continued her training in pediatric optometry at The Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s Pediatric Vision Center. Her contact lens training was completed with one of the pioneers in contact lens development, Robert Morrison, O.D. Dr. Barbor has been board certified to practice as an optometrist in the states of North Carolina and Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia ( Washington, DC). She is currently serving as a clinical examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
For the past seven years Dr. Barbor has been involved in the pre- and post-operative care of refractive and cataract surgery patients. She has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease. Dr. Barbor also has experience in both routine and advanced contact lens fitting and evaluation.
Dr. Barbor lives in Maryland with her family. She enjoys skiing, gardening, and going to the movies with her daughter.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Barbor or to speak with any of the optometrists at our offices in Washington, DC, and Maryland, contact Eye Doctors of Washington today.
Benjamin Teller, O. D.
Dr. Ben Teller graduated from University of Delaware with a baccalaureate degree in biology and geography. He earned an additional bachelor’s degree in visual sciences and his Doctor of Optometry degree with clinical honors from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He then interned with some of the nation’s top ophthalmologists at Hopewell Valley Eye Associates in New Jersey, Bethesda Naval Hospital, Katzen Eye Group in Baltimore, Maryland and Kaiser Permanente in Washington, DC.
Dr. Teller has been practicing as an optometrist in the Washington, DC, area since 1996. Recently, he became a partner of Eye Doctors of Washington. Dr. Teller specializes in comprehensive eye care and the medical management of eye disease. He has extensive experience in contact lenses and pre- and post- operative ophthalmic surgical care including the latest laser refractive procedures. Dr. Teller is currently the president of the Optometric Society of DC. Consumers’ Research Council of America recently named Dr. Teller one of ” America’s Top Optometrists”, and he is board certified in the state of Maryland, the commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia ( Washington, DC ).
Dr. Teller serves as an adjunct professor at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and is a preceptor for student externs completing their ocular disease and private practice rotations. He has presented various research posters at the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Teller continues to serve the community as an optometrist with pro-bono work at the Wellness Center for women at the N street Village.
Dr. Teller is a native of the Washington, DC, area and resides in Maryland. He has lived abroad and speaks Spanish. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer, skiing, windsurfing, and mountain biking.
Ha-Phuong Tran, O.D.
Dr. Ha Tran graduated from University of Virginia, Charlottesville with a Baccalaureate degree in biology. She received academic scholarships at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry where she earned a Baccalaureate degree in Visual Science and completed her Doctor of Optometry degree. She was also selected to be a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa and Gold Key Honor Societies. Dr. Tran is board certified in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.
Dr. Tran has been practicing as an optometrist in the Washington, DC, area since 1998. She specializes in comprehensive eye care and the medical management of eye disease. She is a specialist in therapeutic contact lenses including keratoconic and post corneal transplant fittings. She also has extensive experience with advanced cosmetic fits such as bifocals and high prescriptions. She also possesses extensive experience in pre- and post-operative ophthalmic surgical care including the latest laser refractive procedures.
Dr. Tran is a native of the Washington, DC, area and resides in Virginia with her husband and son. In her spare time, Dr. Tran enjoys traveling, volleyball, tennis, and music.
If you are interested in finding top- quality eye treatment in your area, contact Eye Doctors of Washington today. Among the best-trained and highly skilled ophthalmologists and optometrists in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia area, you can be confident our physicians have the experience and know-how to meet all of your eye care needs.