Michael A. Herion, MD, has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the second consecutive year he has received this professional recognition. This designation carries significant weight in the medical community as only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors within their specialties and regions. The selection process involves nominations by peer physicians and evaluation by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team, with doctors prohibited from paying for selection.
Dr. Herion practices ophthalmology at Carrot LASIK and Eye Center, a comprehensive eye care facility serving the greater Phoenix area with advanced surgical and medical vision correction services. As a board-certified specialist providing clinical oversight and surgical expertise, his recognition matters because it validates the quality of care available to patients seeking vision correction and treatment. The Castle Connolly selection criteria include medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories, with information published at https://www.castleconnolly.com.
The implications of this recognition extend to patient decision-making when selecting eye care providers. Patients considering procedures such as LASIK, Photorefractive Keratectomy, cataract surgery with premium lens implants, refractive lens exchange, or glaucoma management can use Top Doctor designations as one indicator of physician quality. Dr. Herion's approach emphasizes treating every patient like a family member to deliver unparalleled care and foster lifelong relationships, suggesting that recognition extends beyond technical skill to include patient-centered values.
Dr. Herion's qualifications include completing his Ophthalmology residency at Saint Louis University and a Retina Fellowship with Eric Mann, M.D., Ph.D. in Saint Louis, MO. He currently serves as Chief of Ophthalmology at Valleywise Medical Center - Phoenix and holds board certifications from both the American Board of Ophthalmology and the World College of Refractive Surgery and Visual Sciences. These credentials combined with the Top Doctor recognition provide patients with multiple validation points when evaluating surgical expertise.
The practical impact of this recognition relates to the advanced procedures Dr. Herion performs using modern diagnostic and surgical technologies designed to improve patient recovery times and visual outcomes. His practice features an integrated surgical suite and advanced diagnostic imaging center, allowing seamless coordination between evaluation and treatment while ensuring continuity of care without external referrals for standard testing or outpatient procedures. This infrastructure matters because it reduces fragmentation in patient care.
Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Herion has contributed to ophthalmology through clinical research and professional society participation, including studies on laser vision correction efficacy and long-term stability of intraocular lenses. These academic contributions assist in developing best practices for refractive surgery, meaning his Top Doctor recognition reflects both clinical excellence and research engagement. For the eye care industry, such recognitions help establish benchmarks for quality and encourage continuous improvement in patient outcomes across vision correction procedures.
