Accepting new patients

Merina Thomas, M.D.

Accepting new patients

  • Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine

Specialty

  • Ophthalmology

Clinical focus

  • Retina and Vitreous Disease
  • Retina Surgery
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Diabetic Retinopathy

Locations and contact

I see patients at
A brick building with trees in front of it in the winter.
Casey Eye Institute Vancouver
360 260-7132
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Building with several stories and all glass facing the patient drop off area and a walking bridge connecting to the neighboring building.
Elks Children's Eye Clinic
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About me

After going to medical school at Vanderbilt University, I went to the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois at Chicago for ophthalmology residency. I then completed a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the University of Michigan’s Kellogg Eye Center.

My clinical interests include age-related macular degeneration, secondary scleral-fixated intraocular lenses, and diabetic retinopathy. My research interests are tele-ophthalmology, clinical informatics, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in ophthalmology. 

In my free time, I enjoy discovering new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with my husband and two children.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • B.A., 2007, Northwestern University
    • M.D., 2012, Vanderbilt School of Medicine

  • Internship

    • General Surgery, Atlanta Medical Center--Atlanta, GA, 2012-2013

  • Residency

    • Ophthalmology, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago--Chicago, IL, 2013-2016

  • Fellowship

    • Vitreoretinal Surgery, Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan--Ann Arbor, MI, 2016-2018
    • Research Fellow, Retina, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University--Baltimore, MD, 2010-2011

  • Certifications

    • American Board of Ophthalmology, 2017
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Insurance

Before scheduling an appointment

  1. Check your network. If you have health insurance,  call your company to find out if the OHSU Health location or provider you plan to visit is part of your network.
  2. Ask what you will pay. Your insurance company can tell you what your costs are likely to be.

If you schedule an appointment and your health insurance does not include OHSU Health, you may have to pay more than if you go to a provider in your insurance network. 

Visit our billing and insurance page for more information.

Ratings and reviews

Overall: 4.9 out of 5 (477 Ratings, 162 Reviews)

The patient ratings score is an average of all responses to the question "How likely would you be to recommend this provider to your family and friends (on a scale of 0 to 10)" on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey patient surveys.

  1. She is an excellent Dra thank you very much

  2. I'm very happy with the care I received for my eye.

  3. Dr Thomas is amazing and very caring

  4. Dr. Thomas was very professional, helpful and friendly. She offered an excellent explanation of my condition and how to proceed for any future treatment, if necessary.

  5. Very fine care in all respects.

  6. Dr Thomas is great!

  7. Dr. Thomas was excellent. I have never met such kind and caring clinician. She was very knowledgeable but also very humble. If anyone I know has any eye issues, I will 100% refer them to Dr. Thomas. I can't say enough good things about her. Thank you!!!

  8. Follow up is great

  9. Friendly, courteous, & professional.

  10. Dr Thomas is absolutely wonderful! She's the best!!

  11. I was very impressed with the whole clinic from front desk to Dr. Thomas

  12. Doctor Thomas has always been kind and incredibly good in explaining things in plain English.

  13. Dr. Thomas is amazing and very detailed with complete concern and always gives options and explanations. I have the utmost respect and confidence in her work. I would recommend her to anyone in situation. Thank you is an understatement of my gratitude.

  14. The best I could only hope for

  15. Absolutely wonderful

  16. Dr. Thomas is my favorite physician

  17. Dr. Thomas is amazing and very thorough

  18. Dr. Thomas is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. She is also very caring.

  19. I am very grateful for the care I get from Dr Thomas and the staff at Casey. Thank you all

  20. Dr. Thomas is friendly, thorough and takes the time to make sure questions are answered

  21. Dr. Thomas is wonderful. Kind, thorough, an expert in her field and fast. I have to have a shot injection in my eye one a month, and I feel confident she will do a great job.

  22. All clinicians have been wonderful!

  23. Dr Thomas is always prepared for my visit. Her support staff is very efficient and pleasant. I have complete trust in her for the health of my vision.

  24. I couldn't be more happy with the whole staff, and Doctor is exceptional!

  25. Very good

  26. The whole experience with the eye surgeon was outstanding. I felt I was well informed of my option, and the communication from the surgeon was clear and easy to understand.

  27. Dr Thomas is so dedicated, knowledgeable, and caring. Her technique administering eye injections is amazing.

  28. Dr Thomas is the most upbeat, positive clinician and person. She brightens the exam room once she enters it.

  29. Dr. Thomas is the bomb, none better. I learn from her in 15 minutes what my regular Ret. Surgeon does not share with me or is unable to.

  30. All service could not have been better. Staff was so in tune it just stood out. AMAZING Keep this team together