Dr. T. Hunter Newsom
Founder & Medical Director | Cataract, LASIK, and Refractive Surgeon Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Dr. T. Hunter Newsom is not just the founder of Newsom Eye – he is a nationally recognized innovator and educator in the world of eye surgery. With more than two decades of experience. Dr. Newsom is known for pushing boundaries in cataract, LASIK, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. From pioneering FDA studies to developing surgical techniques used around the world, he’s helped thousands of patients regain their vision and their confidence.
Why Patients & Surgeons Trust Dr. T. Hunter Newsom
A legacy of innovation, excellence, and groundbreaking achievements in ophthalmology
Innovative Technique
Inventor of the Newsom Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery Technique
U.S. Pioneer
First in the U.S. to implant FDA-approved bilateral Aphakic Artisan™ lenses
World First
World’s first to implant Artisan™ lenses in patients with megalocornea
Extensive Experience
Over 20 years of experience with ICL (implantable contact lenses)
Research Leader
Lead investigator in FDA studies for ICL, Light Adjustable Lens, and more
Trusted Educator
Trusted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to educate 14,000+ eye surgeons globally
Academic Excellence
Lifetime Visiting Professor at the University of Iowa—training the next generation of LASIK and cataract specialists
A Leader in Vision Innovation
Pioneering research and development that has shaped modern ophthalmology
FDA Studies Leadership
Dr. Newsom has led or contributed to FDA studies for:
- Light Adjustable Lenses (RxSight)
- Visian™ & Verisyse™ Phakic IOLs
- AcrySof® IQ extended depth-of-focus IOL
- SBL-3 segmented bifocal IOL
- EYEFILL® & VISCO SHIELD® viscoelastics
- Lenstec Softec HD™—a product brought to market thanks to his research
Pioneering Surgical Centers
Dr. Newsom was one of the youngest surgeons in the country to develop three FDA-approved ambulatory surgical centers for research and innovation in ophthalmology.
Innovation Impact
These centers have been instrumental in advancing surgical techniques and technologies that have improved outcomes for patients worldwide.
Bladeless Laser Innovation
The Newsom Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery Technique has revolutionized how cataract surgery is performed, offering patients greater precision and improved outcomes.
Education & Recognition
A foundation of excellence and a career marked by distinguished recognition
Education & Training
Residency
University of Iowa (Top 3 in the nation)
Internship
Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
M.D.
University of Florida – with Honors
B.S.
University of Florida – with Honors
Honors & Recognition
American College of Eye Surgeons
“Surgical Excellence” Award
Bozeman Senior High
“Young Alumnus Honor Award”
University of Florida College of Medicine
Alumni Ambassador
Albert G. King Award
For Outstanding Research
Outside the Operating Room
Born in Gainesville, Florida, Dr. Newsom is a family man who enjoys traveling with his wife and three children. His hobbies include water and snow skiing, tennis, and flying helicopters.
Family Man
Tennis Player
Helicopter Pilot
Professional Associations
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Medical Association
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Newsom
Experience the difference that comes with choosing a nationally recognized
innovator in eye care.
T. Hunter Newsom, MD
Founder, Medical Director
Cataract, Refractive, and LASIK Surgeon
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Dr. T. Hunter Newsom is the founder and medical director of Newsom Eye & Laser Center. He is a board certified and specializes in cataract, refractive, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. He is one of the first surgeons in the United States to implant the ICL and has vast exprience with the Light Adjustable Lens. Dr. Newsom was a principal investigator in the approved FDA study for the ICL, Light Adjustable Lens, and many other interocular lenses. Newsom Eye is also involved in an FDA study with epi-on corneal crosslinking. He brings a wealth of experience, awards and research to the practice.
Born in Gainesville, Florida, Dr. Newsom’s personal interests include traveling with his wife and three children, water and snow skiing, tennis and flying helicopters.
Noteworthy Accomplishments
- Inventor of the Newsom Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery Technique adapting the lntraLase Femtosecond Laser for Cataract Surgery
- First surgeon in the world to implant Aphakic Artisan™ intraocular lens in a patient with megalocornea
- First surgeon in the United States to implant FDAapproved bilateral Aphakic Artisan™ intraocular lenses
- University of Iowa lifetime visiting professor, training the next generation of cataract and LASIK surgeons
- One of only two surgeons nationally recognized for “Surgical Excellence” in cataract and implant surgery, awarded by the American College of Eye Surgeons
- One of the first surgeons in the United States to surgically implant both the Visian™ and Verisyse™ Phakic intraocular lense
- Over 20 years of experience implanting the ICL (Internal Contact Lens)
- Principle Investigator for the FDA study for the ICL.
- Member of the initial surgical research team implanting the ICL in the Dominican Republic in 2001.
- Selected to Alumni Ambassador Network, University of Florida College of Medicine
- Awarded Bozeman Senior High School Young Alumnus Honor Award in 2011
- Educates over 14,000 ophthalmologists across the world for the American Academy of Ophthalmology News and Education Cataract Committee
Education
- Residency in Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, ranked top three in the nation
- Medical and Surgical Internship, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
- Doctor of Medicine with Honors, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- Bachelor of Science with Honors, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Research And Development
- FDA multi-center clinical study of the ACRYSOF® IQ extended depth-to-focus IOL (Alcon, Inc.)
- FDA clinical study for SBL-3 segmented bifocal intraocular lens (Lenstec, Inc.)
- FDA clinical study for the Light Adjustable Lens (Calhoun Vision, Inc. / RxSight)
- FDA clinical study for Lenstec Softec HD™, Dr. Newsom’s personal research was instrumental in Lenstec Softec HD™, becoming available for all surgeons in the USA
- FDA clinical study for EYEFILL® viscoelastic (Croma Pharmaceuticals, Inc. / Bausch & Lomb)
- FDA clinical study for VISCO SHIELD® viscoelastic (OASIS Medical)
- One of the youngest surgeons in the United States to develop three ambulatory surgical centers capable of performing FDA research in eye surgery
- Received the Albert G. King Award for Outstanding Research
Professional Associations
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Council of 100 Committee Member
- American College of Eye Surgeons
- American Medical Association
