Frank W. Bowden, III, M.D., FACS

 Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, is one of the few corneas and external disease specialists in the area (Dr. Sarah Darbandi is also one). This means that, in addition to being a board-certified ophthalmologist, he has completed specialized fellowship training in disorders and diseases specific to the cornea and front structures of the eye – all critical components of vision and eye health. As a fellowship-trained cornea specialist, he is uniquely qualified to treat dry eye syndrome; corneal abrasions, inflammations, ulcers, scarring, injuries, and infections; keratoconus; as well as pediatric corneal diseases. He also specializes in corneal transplantation using advanced techniques such as PKP, DSAEK, and DALK.

A Top Doctor, A Top-Notch Practice

Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, founded Bowden Eye & Associates in 2001, focusing the practice on comprehensive eye care; 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.

He has been recognized as one of Jacksonville’s Top Doctors 4 times by Jacksonville Magazine and honored by the magazine as the Best Doctor of 2006 and 2008. His path to success here in Jacksonville was paved with numerous remarkable achievements and accolades along the way. Including opening the only ambulatory surgery center in Jacksonville dedicated solely to ophthalmology procedures. 

Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, was selected for one of the most competitive ophthalmology fellowships in the world – the cornea and external disease fellowship at the renowned Wills Eye Hospital.

Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, and to this day is a devout Tennessee Volunteers fan. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he was Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, earned his MD in 1979 from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and was the class valedictorian.

His post-graduate training included an internship and an ophthalmology residency at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. He then earned a prestigious fellowship in corneal and external diseases at the internationally recognized Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

View his personal bio website by clicking here!

Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, was awarded the U.S. Navy Commendation Medal in 1982 and the U.S. Navy Achievement Medal in 1987.

Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, enjoyed a distinguished 12-year career in the military, serving as a battalion surgeon for the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines (REIN) in 29 Palms, California; a general medical officer for the U.S. Marine Corps, also in 29 Palms; and a staff ophthalmologist for the U.S. Naval Service at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville.

Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III, established private ophthalmology practice in 1988 before founding the Baptist Eye Institute in 1989, where he was a member until 2000. In 2001, he established Bowden Eye & Associates, which now serves hundreds of patients with its 6 physicians and 3 locations.

 Dr. Sarah Darbandi joined the Bowden Eye team in August 2012. She was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

Following this, Dr. Darbandi attended Medical School at West Virginia University, then went on to a residency in Ophthalmology at the West Virginia University Eye Institute. With her interest in corneal transplantation and refractive surgery, she then completed a fellowship in Albany, New York, in Cornea and Refractive Surgery. In 2015, she signed on as Dr. Frank W. Bowden, III’s, first partner, making her Vice President of Bowden Eye & Associates.

She provides general ophthalmic care, as well as custom cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, ocular surface reconstruction, and refractive surgery. Dr. Darbandi also provides aesthetic care including Botox, fillers, brow lifts, upper and lower lid blepharoplasties and laser skin resurfacing.