Thomas W. Samuelson, M.D.

Thomas W. Samuelson, a founding partner and attending surgeon of Minnesota Eye Consultants, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in the treatment of glaucoma, cataract, and refractive surgery. Dr. Samuelson completed his medical degree at the University of Minnesota and his residency training at the University of South Florida where he served as chief resident. He received his sub-specialty training at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia.

An adjunct associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Minnesota and past chairman of the medical staff at the Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, Dr. Samuelson has an active role in the education of medical students, residents, fellows, and practicing physicians. He is a faculty member at Hennepin County Medical Center, a major teaching hospital for the University of Minnesota residency program. On a national level, Dr. Samuelson is the recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Senior Achievement Award honoring contributions made to the Academy's educational programs. Dr. Samuelson is an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology and has been named to America's Top Doctors each year since 2002. He is past-president of the International Society of Spaeth Fellows - Wills Eye Hospital's Glaucoma Fellows Society.

Dr. Samuelson is the current Treasurer for the American Glaucoma Society and serves on its Executive Committee. He also oversees the glaucoma skills transfer courses for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). He serves on the Basic Clinical Science Course Committee for the AAO. He is also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Eye Study Club and the International Intraocular Lens Implant Club. Dr. Samuelson is the glaucoma section editor for Ocular Surgery News, the most widely circulated ophthalmology news publication worldwide. Dr. Samuelson also serves as editorial board member and scientific reviewer for several ophthalmology journals.

Dr. Samuelson’s research interests include surgical procedures involving Schlemm’s Canal as well as the management of coincident cataract and glaucoma. He has also performed research on the safety of LASIK in patients with other ocular disorders, especially glaucoma. A frequent lecturer nationally and internationally (keynote lectures) on ocular surgery, he has published numerous scientific manuscripts and textbook chapters on ophthalmic surgery.

On a personal note, Dr. Samuelson is a Minnesota native graduating with honors from Concordia College with a degree in chemistry. During college, he was a four-year letter winner in varsity hockey, team captain, and was voted most valuable player by his teammates during his senior year when Concordia was MIAC co-champion and advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Division II tournament in Massachusetts. Dr. Samuelson resides in the western suburbs of Minneapolis with his wife of 27 years, 17 year-old son and 13 year-old daughter.