About Me
I chose to specialize in ophthalmology because I am passionate about helping people who are facing significant threats to their vision, which can be a very scary situation for the patient. I really enjoy educating patients about what is happening inside their eyes, so that they can feel more confident in their care and then we can decide together on the best path forward.
As a vitreoretinal surgeon, I treat both children and adults with medical and surgical problems in the back of the eye. Common problems my patients face are retinal detachment, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusions. I have additional sub-specialty training in pediatric retina surgery and I lead The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s pediatric retina service at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
I’ve been very fortunate to have had tremendous, talented mentors who inspired me throughout my medical training. At each stage, the priceless value of mentorship has really shaped me and confirmed my passion for retina surgery.
I’m excited to carry forward the tradition of excellence already here at The Ohio State University. The passion of this community is uniquely special. I have had the opportunity to be part of different university communities for most of my life, but I have not seen quite the same combination of driven people in such a large organization. I feel very fortunate to be part of the Buckeye family.
In my free time, I love spending time with my family. My wife and I enjoy the outdoors and going on multi-day backpacking adventures. When not watching Ohio State football, you’ll find me cycling or playing guitar with my two young sons.
Procedures and Conditions I Treat
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Hypertensive Retinopathy
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Genetic Therapy
- Inherited Retinal Diseases
- Wet Macular Degeneration
- Epiretinal Membrane
- Retinal Diseases
- Retinal Detachment
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Macular Degeneration
- Retinal Degeneration
- Vitreous Detachment
- Ophthalmology
Locations Where I Practice
6100 North Hamilton Road
Westerville, OH 43081
614-814-8100
915 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, OH 43212
614-293-9431
in Outpatient Care New Albany
6100 North Hamilton Road
2nd Floor, Suite 2B
Westerville, OH 43081
614-293-8116
in Eye and Ear Institute
915 Olentangy River Road
Suite 5000
Columbus, OH 43212
614-293-8116
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Education and Training
Education History
Graduate
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
8/1/2006 - 5/18/2014
Medical School
University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA
8/1/2006 - 5/20/2015
Internship
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
7/1/2015 - 6/30/2016
Residency
Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Nashville, TN
7/1/2016 - 6/30/2019
Fellowship
Cole Eye Institute/Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH
7/1/2019 - 7/9/2021
Fellowship
University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI
8/2/2021 - 12/23/2021
Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology
10/22/2022
Academic Information
My Department
Ophthalmology
My Division
Ophthalmology
Reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
161 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
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Overall
4.9 out of 5
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Explains Things Carefully
4.8 out of 5
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Listens Carefully
4.9 out of 5
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Gives Understandable Instructions
4.8 out of 5
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Knows My Medical History
4.7 out of 5
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Shows Respect
4.9 out of 5
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Time Spent Together
4.8 out of 5
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 09/30/2024, Dr. Mendel has reported no relationships with companies or entities.
Thorough and focused
Very professional and very caring and kind person
Dr. Mendel was professional, informative and answered all my questions. I would highly recommend him
He is brilliant and an optimal mix of clinician and scientist as well as a gifted teacher. In my eighty years I have never had a better doctor.
Dr. Mendall was attuned, respectful nd engaged well.
Listened to my questions and then followed up on My Chart with added commentary.
Dr Mendel is wonderful - always patient & kind.
Excellent ophthalmologist. I only wish someone from the office called me later in the week to see how I was doing after the procedure
Could not have been better
Showed me my scans, clarified my questions, discussed my concerns, didn't make me feel rushed
All good
Excellent
Dr. Mendel was very detailed and genuinely concerned for my well being and stayed informed outside of work hours.
Very well
Gave me no treatment. Just a referral to ANOTHER specialist.
Dr Mendel is wonderful. I developed an eye condition that could cause blindness, which is concerning since my wife is blind. Dr Mendel allayed my fears of going blind. My sight is 20/20 and I am not going to lose it. I thank God for Dr Mendel and his wonderful "bedside manner."
Doctor very good
Excellent as always
He was reassuring.
Good
Great good dayg
All good
Dr Mendel makes me feel comfortable during an intense procedure.
I couldn't ask for anyone more skilled or caring than Dr. Mendel.
EXCELLENT
Drs. Are always courteous and give time for questions.
He was excellent and explained and answered all questions
Excellent. Attentive, respectful, informative.
He is excellent and insightful about what is going on. The doctor had some great ideas to assist in my vision journwy
Extraordinary
Dr Mendel is great. He was able to allay my fears about my eye condition! Great bedside manner.
He used a lot of medical jargon that I did not understand, so it was difficult to even know what to ask. He was vague about how my condition had changed over the last 6 years. It was my first visit with him, though, so if I return it will only get better.
Good
Very knowledgeable and caring, listens
This was an urgent situation with my eyesight and the Doctor. Was very, very personand made me feel comfortable.
Dr. Mendel is by far the best physician I've ever worked with.
Very good
Dr. Mendel was a true Professional and very knowledgeable about the problems of the eye. While his testing found nothing wrong with the physical operation of my eyes, he did seem to think that the problem was external to the eye in the form of damage to the communication process between the brain and the optic nerve. Recommended that I see a Nuero-Ophthalmologist.
Wonderful
All good
Dr Mendel. Is exceptional
Very good considering I was experiencing an eye problem never previously experienced.
He takes the time to explain everything in non medical as well as medical terms to make sure that the patient understands
Very nice staff and nice facility. My first time at this location.
Good
Good
All good-Dr.Mendel has an amazing bedside manner. Other doctors could learn from himhe's wonderful.
He is a wonderful doctor and saved my sight. Fully explains procedures and progression of disease using pictures.
All great
Upon my first visit to Dr. Mendel my condition required immediate attention (no time to wait). Usually it can take some time for the insurance to approve the treatment I needed, but Dr. Mendel told his team they aren't waiting for the approval they are doing the treatment t now and if the insurance doesn't cover it he would "just eat the cost". In the end it was approved by my insurance a few days later, but I'm grateful and appreciative that Dr. Mendel was willing to do that for me. Especially, since waiting could have cost me my vision in one eye.
Very good
Everyone was friendly
It was the BEST.
All good.
Dr. Kitra was wonderful! Very caring & conscientious! David who did my imaging was terrific also!
Dr. Mendel has been an excellent dr., he always goes above and beyond. Highly recommend! Dr. Mendel's team works well together.
Extremely thorough, and explanation was clear & easy to understand. Plus took my case seriously, and was able to move forward w/emergency care before/while insurance was sorting things out.
Dr Mendel was so professional yet very common. We were very impressed with him and staff. Thank you.Answered all our question. Was on time to see us. We didn't have to wait.
Dr. Tom Mendel knowledgeable excellent.
Dr Mendel is fantastic. He is very knowledgeable about my eye condition and has been taking very good care of my retinas.
Professional, easy to talk to , polite, good listener.
He is amazing! How he fixed my eye was nothing short of art. He always makes me feel like his number one patient.
He seems highly knowledgeable.
Very professional & courteous.
Very professional and very focused on his patient's care.
Dr Mendel was wonderful!!! He does the best to make sure pts are not in pain