About us? No way. It’s all about you.
That’s our message.
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At Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, every patient gets treated like family
You want a doctor who cares about more than just your eyes, and you want a team that gets to know you and makes you feel like part of the family while providing you with high-quality eye care that you can trust for your entire life. When you come to Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, you’ll be treated like a VIP, because your needs come first. You’ll receive the personal touch that has long been missing from the eye care industry as soon as you walk through our doors. At Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, you’ll know right away that your eyes are in capable hands.
When you schedule an appointment for eye care, whether it’s a routine exam or a vision-restoring procedure, the most important thing is that you’re not just another number. You’ll receive individualized treatment at Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, from doctors and staff who understand your needs because they get to know you personally.
Experienced Ophthalmologists in Mesa, Arizona
You’ll notice this from the first time you call for an appointment, because you’ll get a real person on the other end, ready to handle your care on your terms.
You’ll benefit from the newest equipment and technology in an efficient exam lane during every appointment. And, because your time is just as important as ours, we strive to provide a fast check-in process and keep wait times to a minimum. When you walk into our office, it will be abundantly clear: we’re good for your eyes.
Questions?
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Surgeons and Patients
Carrot surgeons are patients too!
The US Military declared unaided vision essential and started the Warfighters Refractive Surgery Program (WRESP) in 2005. Since that time nearly 1 million sailors, soldiers, pilots and marines have undergone LASIK. Carrot surgeons Drs. Hammond and Herion trained in the military and performed many of those procedures. In fact, Dr. Hammond ran a WRESP center in Germany for three years!
Unaided vision is essential for many occupations. First-responders, athletes, people in the performing arts, drivers, pilots (with appropriate clearance) and any job that requires quality, unaided vision benefit from LASIK.
Glasses and contacts can hold you back and LASIK makes you more competitive. Get LASIK, do more!
It's About You! Learn more
Surgery
is not just a matter of operating skillfully. It must engage in its service the qualities of heart and mind that raise it to the highest pinnacle of human endeavor.
A patient can offer you no higher tribute than to entrust you with their life and sight. To be worthy of this trust, we must submit to a lifetime of constant discipline and unwearied effort in the search for knowledge and to have the most reverent devotion to every detail of each operation we perform.
Of all the temples in the world, none is more sacred than that of the operating theatre. No high priests nor any acolytes engage in nobler ministrations that do the Surgeon and their assistants. Nothing base should dwell in such a temple.
Since there is no joy greater than that of service in such a sanctuary, no responsibility is greater than that which falls daily to our lot.
— Dr. Matthew Hammond, M.D., Dr. Michael Herion, M.D. & The Carrot Team
Ok, we get it. You need to know a little more.
Our Doctors are Experienced Ophthalmologists.
Our practice is led by two experienced ophthalmologists, sparing no expense to accomplish their goal of offering unmatched patient care.
Matthew Hammond, M.D.
A refractive and cataract surgery specialist, Dr. Hammond attended Utah State University for his undergraduate degree and George Washington University for medical school. His internship as well as his residency in ophthalmology took place at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C.
Like Dr. Herion, Dr. Hammond also comes from a military background, serving nine years on active duty as an Ophthalmologist. He served during the Global War on Terror and feels like the greatest honor of his career will be the time he had taking care of America’s finest. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and the Humanitarian award for his relief work after Hurricane Katrina and served as Chief of Ophthalmology and Director of Warfighter Refractive Surgery at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
If there’s one thing that Dr. Hammond strives to demonstrate to the patients who come to Carrot LASIK & Eye Center for their eye care, it’s that he and his team go the extra mile to ensure that patients get the results they want, rather than just what’s expected.
Michael Herion, M.D.
Dr. Herion is a Lt. Col. in the United States Air Force Reserve, representative of the desire to serve that motivated his choice to go into the field of eye medicine. During his service time, he received an Air Force Commendation Medal for his service in The Global War on Terror.
Dr. Herion attended Arizona State University for undergraduate studies before getting his doctorate from Saint George’s University School of Medicine. His residency in ophthalmology took place at Saint Louis University before he completed a retina fellowship with The Retina Group Ltd.
Dr. Herion enjoys spending time outside, including skiing and scuba diving. On fall Saturdays, Dr. Herion can be found in the stands of Arizona State Sun Devils football games.
Emily Shortridge, M.D.
Emily Shortridge, MD, is a fellowship-trained Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Adult Strabismus specialist. Her subspecialty practice involves the surgical and non-surgical management of eye movement disorders and ocular misalignment for patients throughout their lives. Such disorders often cause double vision, but not always. Treatment often involves eye muscle surgery or prism glasses therapy. Dr Shortridge has 8 years of experience performing a high volume of eye muscle surgeries for adults and children.
Dr. Shortridge’s Pediatric practice is comprehensive and includes a wide range of pediatric eye needs. This includes strabismus, cataracts, tear duct disorders, amblyopia (or “lazy eye”), complex glasses needs, ptosis (drooping eyelids) and other disorders of the eyelids, ocular surface problems like pterygium and chronic inflammation, as well as medical glaucoma. She understands the value of education as she partners with patients and parents in making customized medical decisions that are right for them. She strives to create a friendly, welcoming environment, helping make every pediatric patient as comfortable as possible during the clinic visit and exam process.
Her Adult General practice focuses on cataract surgery and eyelid surgery.
Dr. Shortridge graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Biology at Grand Canyon University. She attended the University of Arizona, Phoenix campus for her medical degree. She completed her year in internal medicine at St Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix and her Ophthalmology residency at UTMB in Galveston, Texas. She then completed a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at MUSC in South Carolina, where she trained under Dr. Edward Wilson, the world’s leading expert in pediatric cataract surgery.
Dr. Shortridge enjoys hiking, skiing, tennis, and spending time with her family in Phoenix.
Blake Henson, O.D.
Dr. Henson began his academic journey at the University of Nevada-Reno, where he completed his undergraduate studies with a degree in Biology. He then continued his education at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ, earning his Doctor of Optometry degree, graduating with honors.
Dr. Henson found his passion for eye care early in his childhood, having been a frequent patient of his childhood eye doctor. His experience with his optometrist made him want to pursue a career where he could help others maximize their vision. During his undergraduate years, Dr. Henson worked as an optometric technician, further fueling his dedication to the field. His experience as both a technician and as a lifelong patient has given him a unique skillset in the exam room to take care of all his patients’ needs.
Born and raised in Reno, NV, Dr. Henson moved to the Phoenix area in 2020. Although Dr. Henson originally planned to return to Nevada, he fell in love with Arizona and decided to make Phoenix his home. In his free time, Dr. Henson enjoys golfing, watching sports, spending time at Canyon Lake and trying different restaurants around the valley. If you have any recommendations, be sure to let him know!
Check out our extensive list of accepted health plans.
At Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, we know that the cost of eye care can be a real concern of our patients, especially those with large families. Our eye clinic is dedicated to helping you find the eye care you need at the price you can afford because at Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, we’re good for your eyes.
Medical Plans
- AZ Foundation for Medical Care
- Aetna: Aetna Prime Plus HMO*, Aetna PPO, Coventry Network, Aetna/Banner, Aetna Signature & Allied
- AHCCCS Complete Care* & APIPA Community Plan*
- Banner Health Network(12X42)*, Banner Prime* & Banner Plus
- BCBS: Blue Alliance, Blue Acclaim, CHS, Federal, PPO, Gilsbar, Ameriben & MailHandlers
- Care 1st* (AHCCCS Medicaid)
- Champ VA
- Children’s Rehabilitative Services
- Cigna (Open Access)
- Humana: Commercial PPO, Commercial HMO*, Commercial POS & EPO, Medicare PPO & POS, Medicare PFFS & HMO*, Gold Plus & Gold Choice
- Medicare
- Medi-Share
- OSCAR Health
- PHCS Network, MultiPlan, First Health
- Railroad Medicare
- Tricare*
- Triwest*
- United Health Care: PPO, Choice POS/II, Golden Rule, UMR, Empire Plan, Optum* & Phoenix Direct*
- WellCare Liberty HMO*
Vision Plans
- Avesis
- Davis Vision
- Eyemed
- Spectera
- Sight Care
- Superior Vision
*PLAN REQUIRES REFERRAL OR AUTHORIZATION FROM PCP
No waiting area means no waiting.
At Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, we know that the cost of eye care can be a real concern of our patients, especially those with large families. Our eye clinic is dedicated to helping you find the eye care you need at the price you can afford because at Carrot LASIK & Eye Center, we’re good for your eyes.
Carrot LASIK & Eye Center is modern.
We’re anything but old-fashioned, and our patients like it that way.
We’ve built a modern eye care practice with top-of-the-line technology and comprehensive services that reinforce our commitment to the unparalleled value we provide to our patients.
![DR SHORTRIDGE PORTRAIT[51]](https://carroteyecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DR-SHORTRIDGE-PORTRAIT51-300x300.jpg "DR SHORTRIDGE PORTRAIT[51]")
