Dr. Frank W. Bowden III, MD, FACS

Clinical Trials

• Treatment of Bacterial Conjunctivitis With SHP640 Compared to PVP-Iodine and Placebo
• Treatment of Adenoviral Conjunctivitis With SHP640 Compared to Placebo

Media Releases

Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Frank W. Bowden III, who serves patients in Florida.

A seasoned ophthalmologist, Dr. Bowden’s journey began in 2001 when he founded Bowden Eye & Associates, centering the practice on comprehensive eye care. His expertise spans custom cataract surgery, refractive and LASIK surgery, glaucoma surgery and laser therapy, treatment of dry eye and other ocular surface disorders, corneal transplantation, and corneal and external diseases.

A true rarity in the medical world, he specializes in corneas and external diseases—a distinction shared by only a handful of experts in the area, including Dr. Sarah Darbandi. While his humility prevents him from touting himself as an ophthalmology expert, the medical community views him as one and frequently seeks his expert opinion.

Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Dr. Bowden remains a dedicated Tennessee Volunteers fan. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where he was a member of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa society. In 1979, he earned his MD from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was class valedictorian.

Subsequently, he completed an internship and an ophthalmology residency at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. His dedication and passion for ophthalmology led him to earn a highly coveted fellowship in corneal and external diseases at the internationally renowned Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

There, Dr. Bowden gained an understanding of the critical components of vision and eye health that encompass various conditions such as dry eye syndrome, corneal abrasions, inflammations, ulcers, scarring, injuries, infections, keratoconus, and pediatric corneal diseases. Moreover, he specialized in corneal transplantation, employing advanced techniques like PKP, DSAEK, and DALK.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), the doctor is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). The ABO is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists in the United States of America.

During his illustrious military career, he was honored with the U.S. Navy Commendation Medal in 1982 and the U.S. Navy Achievement Medal in 1987. His service included roles as a battalion surgeon for the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (REIN) in 29 Palms, California, as well as a general medical officer for the U.S. Marine Corps, also stationed in 29 Palms. His dedication to serving his country extended to his role as a staff ophthalmologist for the U.S. Naval Service at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville.

Beyond his professional commitments, Dr. Bowden finds joy in activities that promote his personal well-being and energy. He is an avid fitness enthusiast, frequently engaged in workouts and tennis matches. As a die-hard fan of the Tennessee Volunteers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, he relishes the opportunity to cheer on his favorite teams during their games.

Recommended Articles

• What are Eye Floaters?

  Eye floaters are small, moving specks on the eyeball that often occur in one's field of vision. These grey or black dots, become more prominent while looking at a bright object. If the floaters are large they may shadow vision, but in most cases, eye floaters are harmless. People often neglect or...

• What is Neonatal Conjunctivitis?

  Neonatal conjunctivitis or ophthalmia neonatorum is a type of infection that newborns contract during delivery. The newborns contract this infection in cases when the mother is infected with Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae.Neonatal conjunctivitis is any type of conjunctivitis that...

• How Long Does It Take To Get A Cataract Removed?

  How Cataract Surgery is Performed Prior to a cataracts surgery, you will have to attend an eye assessment with an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist will first examine your health condition and any previous eye treatments. They will also check for any other eye problems currently affecting...

• What is Conjunctivitis: The Facts

  Conjunctivitis is a condition that most commonly appears in the human eyeball, specifically in the front of the eye. Conjunctivitis can be seen when the white part of the eye turns red or pink.  Most people think that red eye can appear if they don’t sleep enough, but they might not actually be...

• Eye Infections: Bacterial, Viral, and Fungal

  Eye infections occur when various harmful microorganisms invade the eyes. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When suspecting an eye infection, you should go and get a detailed eye examination from an eye doctor. Trying to self-diagnose and even self-treat eye problems and eye...

• Is Shingles Contagious? How Do You Get Shingles?

  Shingles is a contagious viral infection that is caused by the varicella zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. This virus affects a particular nerve section, causing painful rashes on the skin connected to that particular nerve. The rash normally appears in a form of a band on any...