Thomas Mendel, MD, PHD
Physician, Assistant Professor
Ophthalmology - Retina, Ophthalmology
Make an appointment
614-293-8116Conditions and expertise
- Macular Hole
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Genetic Therapy
- Inherited Retinal Diseases
- Epiretinal Membrane
- Retinal Detachment
Locations
- Havener Eye Institute in Outpatient Care New Albany
- Havener Eye Institute in Eye and Ear Institute
Academics and research
Department: Ophthalmology
About
- Gender
- Male
Biography
I chose to specialize in ophthalmology because I am passionate about helping people facing significant threats to their vision, which can be scary. I enjoy educating patients about what is happening inside their eyes so they can feel more confident in their care so we can then decide together on the best path forward.
As a vitreoretinal surgeon, I treat children and adults with medical and surgical problems in the back of the eye. Common conditions my patients face include retinal detachment, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions. Along with a great team, I also treat many patients with inherited retinal diseases.
I have additional subspecialty training and expertise in pediatric retinal surgery, and I lead The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Pediatric Retina Service at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
My role further includes helping to educate the next generation of providers as an assistant clinical professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
Outside of work, I love spending time with my family. My wife and I enjoy the outdoors and going on multiday backpacking adventures. When not watching Ohio State football, you’ll find me coaching baseball, cycling or enjoying time with our two sons and daughter.
Conditions and expertise
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Epiretinal Membrane
- Genetic Therapy
- Hypertensive Retinopathy
- Inherited Retinal Diseases
- Macular Degeneration
- Macular Hole
- Pediatric Retina
- Retinal Detachment
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Vitreous Detachment
Locations
Havener Eye Institute
2nd Floor, Suite 2B
Westerville, OH 43081
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Pediatric Medical and Surgical Retina
- University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
8/2/2021 - 12/23/2021 - Fellowship - Vitreoretinal surgery/Ophthalmology
- Cole Eye Institute/Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, United States
7/1/2019 - 7/9/2021 - Residency - Ophthalmology
- Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Nashville, TN, United States
7/1/2016 - 6/30/2019 - Internship - Surgery (General Surgery)
- University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States
7/1/2015 - 6/30/2016 - Doctor of Philosophy
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
8/1/2006 - 5/18/2014 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
8/1/2006 - 5/20/2015
Certification
-
American Board of Ophthalmology
10/22/2022
Academics and research
I am a retina surgeon scientist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where I serve as an assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
I also direct a research team and translational laboratory to pioneer new gene therapy approaches for my many inherited retinal disease patients. I was trained in Luxturna therapy and saw first-hand the impact of restorative gene therapy. With that in mind, I founded my laboratory to extend the early success of Luxturna to other inherited retinal diseases. My particular research features a combination of novel surgical and molecular approaches and is carried out within the Ohio State University Gene Therapy Institute, which is comprised of an experienced interdisciplinary team of gene therapy investigators whose expertise ranges from neurosurgery to biomedical engineering.
Research interests
- Gene Therapy
- Inherited Retinal Diseases
Awards and Honors
- Foundation Fighting Blindness Career Development Award for 8/1/2024 - 7/31/2029
- ARVO Travel Grant – 2020 – OCTA project for diabetic intraretinal microvascular abnormalities presentation at annual meeting. The Lefkovitz Award for Vision Research – won competitive grant application for project entitled: Use of Optical Coherence
- Tomography Angiography to Guide Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Birdshot Chorioretinopathy, 2018. Representative to American Academy of Ophthalmology Mid-Year Forum in Washington D.C. – selected to represent residency as Advocacy Ambassador and later worked on scope of practice battle in Virginia, 2017.
- Selected as the representative of the University’s Biomedical Research to speak at Teresa Sullivan’s Inaugural Dinner as she became the University of Virginia’s eighth President, for audience of major University donors, 2011
- Phi Eta Sigma – National Honor Fraternity – 2003
- Makley-Battles Teaching Award for Resident Education 2025
- National Eye Institute (NIH) K08 Award - Insulin-accelerated surgical approach to pre-retinal gene therapy 2025-2030
Academic information
- Department:
- Ophthalmology
- Division:
- Ophthalmology
More about my research
News and media
My news coverage
Ratings and 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.
81 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
Patient Comments
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 11/3/2025, Thomas Mendel has reported no relationships with companies or entities.
Great Job
Best ophthalmologist I've ever had. Hands down. Always takes time to talk about my medical needs & what the treatment plan is.
Top of his game, confident and knowledgeable
Dr Mendel is very professional and listens to my concerns and offers me options for treatment.
Very professional but left the room before I could ask all questions and never said good bye it or thanks for coming. Just see u in 6 months and walked out. I need more compassion.
He is amazing, explains everything, always kind, and he saved my eye sight. I have only the best respect for him.
Exceptional! I've had a serious eye condition for 15 years, but never understood it before seeing Dr Thomas Mendel. He is extremely capable kind, detailed, and professional.
Dr Mendel is the best !!!
Everything was good
Always attentive and caring.
Good
Excellent
Very acknowledge of his craft, I would recommend him to anyone in my family for him to do surgery on
Very professional
Excellent courtesy, friendliness, informative, detail oriented, asked several times if I had any questions, sympathetic for the situation I found myself in. Outstanding experience.
Dr Mendel is patient & kind.
Excellent
Saw two doctors in a very short period of time. Both of them were very professional and answered all my questions.
Friendly and concerned with my needs
Excellent explanation of my retinal health