Dr. Benjamin V. Guidry, MD
Dr. Benjamin Guidry completed his medical training at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Upon graduation, he was awarded the Luis Perez memorial award as the most outstanding student in ophthalmology. He completed an internal medicine internship at the University of Mississippi in Jackson, MS where he also completed his ophthalmology residency as Chief Resident. Awards earned during residency include individual awards for ophthalmology research, departmental employee of the month, as well the highest score on the annual inservice exam, scoring higher than 99% of all test-takers nationwide.
Dr. Guidry then returned home to New Orleans for a two year fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at Tulane University and the Veterans Affairs hospital. Dr. Guidry maintains an active teaching role and clinic with the Tulane Ophthalmology department as Clinical Assistant Professor.
Dr. Guidry is active in local and nationwide ophthalmologic societies. He twice served as representative for the mid-year forum in Washington, D.C. promoting the causes of local ophthalmologists with our elected leaders. He was also selected for media training sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and has participated in multiple radio safety campaigns regarding firework safety. He is an active member of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmologists, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Society of Retina Specialists. He is a board-certified ophthalmologist.
Born in Covington, Dr. Guidry is proud to call Louisiana home and is honored to care for the community he loves. He and his wife Laura are the proud parents of two boys (Jules, Charles) and a daughter (Valerie).
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Blake J. Matherne, M.D.
Board Certified Opthamalogist
Dr. Matherne earned his Bachelor of Science at Southeastern Louisiana University and his Doctor of Medicine at Louisiana State University in New Orleans, LA, where he was active in civic outreach and mentorship in the community.
He went on to complete his residency training in ophthalmology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, MS. While at the Medical Center, Dr. Matherne served as chief resident and participated in ophthalmic research, publishing his findings in various medical journals as well as presenting his research to colleagues at ophthalmic meetings.
Dr. Matherne is passionate about precision eye surgery as well as the most advanced techniques available in in-patient care, including refractive cataract surgery and the latest procedures for minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS).
He is excited to bring his skills to south Mississippi, as well as to put down roots and become part of the community of the Gulf Coast.
Dr. Joshua Ford
Dr. Joshua Ford is a board-certified Ophthalmologist who received advanced fellowship training in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Orbital Oncology. He was born on a peanut farm in Sylvester, Georgia and was raised by his eldest brother and sister in a single-wide trailer for many of his formative years. He persevered and earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Yale University and his Medical Doctorate from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He then completed his Ophthalmology residency at Tulane University. While there, he found the love of his life in New Orleans and fell in love with the food and culture of Louisiana. He is proud to call New Orleans his home.
Dr. Ford later did a fellowship in oculoplastic surgery at MD Anderson Cancer Center, with niche training in eyelid and orbital oncology.
Dr. Ford is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. In addition to passionately caring for patients, he is dedicated to research, medical education, and community service. He has numerous peer-reviewed publications and has won many awards at domestic and international conferences for his research.
Based on peer recommendations, Dr. Ford was selected as a Top Ophthalmologist by Newsweek Magazine in 2021 and as a Castle Connolly “Rising Star” in 2023 and “Top Doctor” in 2024. He was also featured in the New Orleans Magazine as a Top Doctor in 2023 and 2024.Dr. Ford is also very proud to serve our nation’s Veterans. As the Chief of Ophthalmology at the VA in Alexandria, Louisiana, he directs the medical and surgical education of the Tulane Ophthalmology residents.
In his free time, Dr. Ford loves college football, hiking, kayaking, traveling internationally, and gorging on local cuisine.
Dr. Marilu O’Byrne
Marilu O’Byrne is originally from New Orleans although she was born in Cali, Colombia, South America. She received her medical degree from LSU School of Medicine in 1981. Following her degree, she did her internship in Internal Medicine at Ochsner Foundation Hospital for one year. She then did her residency in Ophthalmology at the LSU Eye Center from 1982 until 1985. Dr. O’Byrne received her Board Certification of Ophthalmology in 1986.
Dr. O’Byrne worked alongside her Father “Alvaro O’Byrne” and Brother “Alvaro J. O’Byrne” in a private practice in New Orleans East for over 20 years until Hurricane Katrina devastated the area in 2005. She then relocated the practice to St. Tammany Parish in 2006.
Dr. O’Byrne currently resides in New Orleans along with her husband and three children. In her free time, Dr. O’Byrne enjoys cycling and spending time with her family. She is also fluent in Spanish and French.