Retina Specialist Brings a Fresh Perspective to Cincinnati

The eyes hold a special significance for the Lindsell family. Luke B. Lindsell, OD, MD, and his wife, Tonya D. Lindsell, OD, met while attending Indiana University College of Optometry in 1999. Now, the couple has moved back to Cincinnati with their three children: 8-year-old Carly, 6-year-old Connor and 4-year-old Cooper.

Luke is the newest retina specialist to join Cincinnati Eye Institute (CEI). He specializes in medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, complex retinal detachment, macular pucker, macular hole, retinal vascular diseases, uveitis, histoplasmosis and complications of anterior segment surgery. 

While practicing in the Ophthalmology/Optometry Department at the Cincinnati Veterans Affairs Medical Center, he discovered a passion for the retina – the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye. 

"As an optometrist, I struggled with patients who needed surgery or other forms of therapy that I wasn’t able to deliver," he says. "I wanted to be that final answer for my patients, and to help them throughout the entire process." 

After three years at the Cincinnati VA, Luke came home and told Tonya that he wanted to return to medical school. Simultaneously, she had taken a loan for her new private optometry practice, but was willing to take the leap of faith and support Luke in his new endeavor of returning to the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. 

"This new role as an ophthalmologist at Cincinnati Eye Institute fits Luke perfectly because he truly cares about his patients," Tonya says. "He’s always wanted to perform surgery and he’s always had his eyes set on CEI. It’s a world-renowned center and a wonderful place to send patients." 

Tonya’s practice, located in Kenwood, is named Dr. Tonya D. Lindsell & Associates. The couple’s shared passion for all-things-eyes lends additional resources to Tonya’s optometry specialty and Luke’s ophthalmology specialty. 

As a retina specialist, Luke works with UC residents and fellows, teaching them vitreoretinal surgery and spends the rest of his time at CEI. "I am involved with clinical research, drug trials and retrospective analysis to look at what surgical techniques will benefit patients the most." 

In the past, Luke has authored several articles in peer reviewed ophthalmic publications and presents regularly at scientific meetings. He served as an investigator in a vitrectomy-scleral buckle retrospective study conducted by the UC Department of Ophthalmology and CEI. 

Luke’s first day at CEI coincides with his children’s first day of school. The family is excited for the transition and the chance to raise their children in Cincinnati. "We have a new appreciation for Cincinnati, having moved away and come back – we’re so excited to be close to our family and good friends," says Tonya. 

Having grown up in Washington, Luke is an avid outdoorsman, taking every opportunity to share his love of nature with his wife and children. They swim, boat, fish, hike and pursue many other active hobbies and look forward to becoming regulars on the Loveland Bike Trail. 

Dr. Luke Lindsell sees patients at offices in Blue Ash, Clifton-Good Samaritan and Western Hills in Ohio and the CEI Centre View Boulevard office in Kentucky. 

Cincinnati Eye Institute’s main campus is located at 1945 CEI Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45242. For more information, call 513.984.5133 or visit www.cincinnatieye.com.