Melissa Hammond, O.D.
Optometric Physician
Dr. Melissa Hammond is a board-certified optometric physician who provides a wide range of primary eye care services to Center for Sight patients, including vision testing, eyewear prescriptions, specialty contact lenses and the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. She also provides pre-operative testing and post-operative care for cataract and LASIK surgery patients.
Dr. Hammond decided to become an optometrist when she was 10 years old and was fitted with her first pair of contact lenses. Her family optometrist encouraged her to pursue a career in optometry. After graduating from Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island, she moved to Deland, Florida to attend the Honors Program at Stetson University. She continued her undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She was granted a rare offer of early admission to the College of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Vision Science and graduated with Honors with a Doctor of Optometry degree. She received the Vision Care Inc. Award for Clinical Excellence in 2002.
After seven years of private practice in Sarasota, Dr. Hammond joined the Center for Sight team. She is active in the community as well as in the profession of optometry. She is a past president of the Rotary Club of East Manatee, a past president of the Manasota Optometric Society, and a business partner of Gene Witt Elementary School in East Manatee. Dr. Hammond is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Florida Optometric Association, and the Manasota Optometric Society.
Dr. Hammond has a son and a daughter. They enjoy frequent trips to Disney World, where Dr. Hammond has completed numerous half marathons. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her children, baking, crafts, and traveling.
Location served: University Park