Our Team

William Colby Stewart, MD, FACS

Trust Your Vision to a Visionary

Dr. Colby Stewart is an artist and innovator in the field of LASIK. His award-winning skill and surgical invention have helped evolve the precision and predictability of LASIK results. With charismatic care and industry-leading technology, Dr. Stewart provides personalized oversight – start to finish – to ensure each patient receives excellent results. Since 2001, Colby has helped thousands of patients with nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism set aside glasses and contacts.

Legacy of Care

Dr. Colby Stewart has always known that he was going to help people with their vision. Raised in Houston, Texas, by his mother and father, the late Dr. Robert Stewart, Colby was constantly surrounded by the nation’s leading ophthalmologists and their patients. Dr. Robert Stewart was one of the original founding doctors at Houston Eye and eventually helped create one of the largest ophthalmology group practices in the United States.

Education

Dr. Colby Stewart attended St. Thomas High School in Houston, Kent Preparatory School in Kent, Connecticut and the University of Texas in Austin, before graduating from the University of Texas Ophthalmology residency program in Galveston in 1996. He completed a six-month fellowship in oculoplastic and reconstructive surgery before moving to Tennessee to join a private practice. In 1998 he became Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and was one of the first to be recertified in 2009.

Training

Dr. Stewart spent 1997 through 2003 working exclusively in middle and east Tennessee, including cities such as Nashville, Cookeville, and Knoxville. He worked together with local eye care providers and optometrists. As their primary surgeon and he performed oculoplastic procedures, topical anesthetic cataract surgery, glaucoma procedures and a new form of refractive surgery called LASIK. In 1998 he was the first surgeon to perform LASIK surgery in Cookeville. He quickly became recognized across Middle Tennessee for his surgical skills and his contributions to laser and cataract surgery. Dr. Stewart developed tracking and nomogram software for his LASIK practice that many doctors, including Dr. Stewart, still use today to monitor LASIK outcomes, and to ensure that patients are appropriate candidates for this procedure. In 2004 Dr Stewart returned to his hometown to join his father and the Houston Eye Associates. During this time, he focused on improving his surgical skills and introducing new techniques to improve patient outcomes and experiences.

Innovation

Dr. Stewart was the first surgeon in East Tennessee (Knoxville) to replace the keratome (blade) used in traditional LASIK procedures with the IntraLase Laser. He later invented an instrument specifically used with the laser, the Stewart Vibrating IntraLase Spatula. Dr. Stewart has performed over 25,000 successful LASIK surgeries at the time this biography was written. He continues to help patients become less dependent on glasses using LASIK and laser cataract refractive surgery including multifocal, and astigmatism correcting intraocular implants.

Dr. Stewart was one of the first surgeons to perform topical anesthetic cataract surgery rather than the customary retrobulbar block (needle). Performing topical cataract surgery allowed his patients to see immediately after surgery, and avoid the use of a bulky patch. With new advances in intraocular implants and surgical incisions becoming smaller (no-stitch surgery), most patients could resume their normal activities the day after surgery and be less dependent on glasses or contacts.

Dr. Stewart was the first surgeon in Tennessee to use the Toric intraocular lens, helping reduce or eliminate astigmatism. He was also one of the first to introduce multifocal premium intraocular lenses for cataract patients to allow them to see without glasses for both near and distance vision. Dr. Stewart has been published in Ocular Surgery News, participated in over 40 surgical FDA studies, and gives lectures for patients and doctors around the country.

Professional 

Dr. Stewart is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. In 2008 he was asked to be a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He frequently gives continuing education seminars for eye care professionals and works with optometrists to co-manage surgical patients. He has been a primary and secondary investigator in multiple FDA studies for new advances in both topical medications, surgical instrumentation, and intraocular lens implants.

Personal

Dr. Stewart has three children. They spend their summer months deep sea fishing together and their winter months in South Texas hunting deer and quail. He is an avid photographer and enjoys traveling with his family and friends. Dr. Stewart is dedicated to his practice and going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that his patients have the best surgical outcomes and have positive experiences.

OUR TEAM

The Tennessee LASIK Staff

Meet Your Personal Care Team

Why do our patient's love us? We care. We spend time getting to know our patients and their unique eye care needs. Although the Tennessee Lasik team is one of the most talented and experienced in the industry, we believe the magic behind our results comes from an intense personal commitment to providing you with the attention, information, skill and care you need. 

Sarah Mason

Surgical Coordinator/Office Manager

Sarah has been with Dr. Stewart since 2004. As the official counselor, Sarah meets with patients to answer questions about LASIK and assist with financing. She also coordinates Dr Stewarts schedule and is responsible for the daily operations of the office.

Lisa Stinnett

Technician

Lisa is a certified ophthalmic assistant and has been working with Drs. Stewart and Moore since 2007. She preforms pre-operative testing that helps determine if a person is a good candidate for Lasik. She has received advanced training and certification with our newest lasers, the Wavelight Eye-Q and FS200, and assists in surgery and post-operative care.

Ashley Jackson

Receptionist

Ashley joined Dr. Stewart's team in 2011. In addition to answering and directing phone calls, Ashley does a great job in making sure our patients are comfortable, ensuring their visit to our office is a pleasant one. She helps schedule patients and assists in clinic coordination. She also manages our designer sunglasses sales and service.