Dr. Thomas Stokkermans, OD, PhD
Optometrist | Corneal and Contact Management
11100 Euclid Ave Bolwell Suite 3200 Cleveland OH, 44106About
Dr. Thomas Stokkermans is an optometrist practicing at the University Hospitals of Cleveland. Dr. Stokkermans is the Director of Optometric Services at the hospital and specializes in eye and vision care. As an optometrist, he can provide routine eye care and treat medical eye conditions. Doctor Stokkermans completed specialized training in ocular disease management at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. He specializes in managing dry eye syndrome, advanced contact lens fittings, and medical eye care. He is on the faculty at the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, holding the rank of Associate Professor, and is an adjunct faculty member at five optometry schools across the United States. He has participated in over thirty clinical trials in eye treatments and contact lens research and has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles covering different eye conditions. He frequently gives lectures to doctors on a variety of eye topics. He is a Fellow and the Chair of the Academic Medical Center Optometrists Special Interest Group of the American Academy of Optometry. He is the chief editor of the Optometry Advanced Medical Care Section at the doctor educational website StatPearls.com and a writer and reviewer for websites that educate the public on eye conditions, including AllAboutVision.com. He is one of the team eye doctors of the Cleveland Browns.
Education and Training
The Ohio State University PhD 1994
New England College Optometry OD 1997
Leiden University MSc 1989
Board Certification
American Board of Optometry
Provider Details
Dr. Thomas Stokkermans, OD, PhD's Expert Contributions
Can LASIK fix myopia?
Yes, LASIK can fix myopia by altering the shape of the front of the eye with a laser. However, there are limits on how high a prescription can be treated. Your cornea has to be measured carefully after the surgery to avoid a bulging condition called corneal ectasia. Most surgeons recommend waiting until the age of 21 and require at least one year of a stable prescription. READ MORE
Eye lid bump
Hi, it appears you had this bump a while ago. I hope it has been resolved. Bumps on the eyelid can be many different things, ranging from a plugged eyelid gland to a stye, a skin tag, or something more dangerous, such as malignant growth. I hope you had an eye doctor look at it, and if not, I recommend that you do. READ MORE
Can keratoconus be stopped?
Yes, keratoconus can be stopped with a procedure called corneal cross-linking. This procedure can be done if your cornea has not become too thin and you do not have any scars present in the cornea. While many people think that rigid gas-permeable contact lenses stop or slow down keratoconus, this is not the case. These lenses are a way to see better but do not stop the progression of keratoconus. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Director Division of Optometry University Hospitals Eye Institute 2012 - Present
- Associate Professor CWRU SOM Dept Ophthalmology 2021 - Present
- Director of Optometry Division University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center -
- Co-Director Dry Eye Center of Excellence. -
- Associate Professor Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine -
- Chair Academic Medical Center Optometrists Special Interest Group -
- Chief Editor Advanced Optometric Medical Care at StatPearls -
Awards
- Distinguished National/International Leadership Award 2022 University Hospitals Eye Institute
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Optometry
- American Optometric Association
Fellowships
- American Academy of Optometry
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- The Optical Foundation
Internships
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Beetham Eye Institute, Boston, MA
Fellowships
- Dartmouth School of Medicine, Postdoctoral Fellowship, Parasitology, Hanover, NH
Professional Society Memberships
- American Academy of OptometryAmerican Optometric AssociationOhio Optometric Association
Articles and Publications
- On PubmedMultiple articles in non-pubmed listed journals such as Review of Optometry, Review of Cornea, and Contact Lenses.
What do you attribute your success to?
- I love to connect with patients and help them see and feel better.
Areas of research
- Dry eye and contact lenses
Teaching and speaking
- Multiple Lectures at the American Academy of Optometry, the CWRU Dept of Ophthalmology Grand Rounds, and Lectures for continuing education for the State of Ohio Vision Board.
Favorite Place to Vacation
- Costa Rica
Hobbies / Sports
- TravelSwimming
Favorite professional publications
- StatPearls.comReview of Cornea and Contact LensesOptometry and Vision Care
Areas of research
Dry Eye, including Deep Learning Models of Meibography
Contact Lenses, including post-market and FDA approval clinical trials
Dr. Thomas Stokkermans, OD, PhD's Practice location
Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124Get Direction
Westlake, Ohio 44145Get Direction
Hudson, OH 44236Get Direction
Dr. Thomas Stokkermans, OD, PhD's reviews
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Leading with Innovation and Excellence
A distinguished figure in the field of optometry, Dr. Stokkermans is the Director of the Optometry Division at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and the Co-Director of the Dry Eye Center of Excellence.
With an impressive career spanning over two decades, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this prestigious position. His impressive educational background includes a residency in Ocular Disease at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, a Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry, post-doctoral fellowships in Parasitology and a doctorate in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. His diverse training and expertise have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of optometry and ocular health.
An enthusiastic researcher, Dr. Stokkermans has an extensive background in ocular disease research and clinical care, having participated in over 30 clinical trials and published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles in leading optometric and molecular biology journals. His commitment to advancing the field of optometry is further demonstrated by his role as an Associate Professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and his adjunct faculty positions at several other esteemed institutions.
Beyond his academic and research accomplishments, he is actively involved in various professional organizations. He is the current Chair of the Academic Medical Center Optometrists Special Interest Group and a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. Additionally, he serves as the Chief Editor of Advanced Optometric Medical Care at StatPearls, a renowned medical education platform. He also dedicates his time to philanthropic endeavors, sitting on the Advisory Board of The Optical Foundation, which supports optometry students in Ghana.
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