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Eye Doctors in Fredericksburg and Stafford, VA 

Our SIEHT team, led by Dr. Thomas Falkenberg, M.D., is committed to giving you the best care and making sure your vision questions are answered. Patients can take confidence in knowing their vision needs are in the hands of SIEHT's staff of skilled surgeons and board-certified specialists. Our team provides the highest level of eye care with highly skilled doctors and staff who are dedicated to your vision needs. Learn more about each member of team of specialists below!

Thomas Falkenberg, M.D.

Dr Thomas Falkenberg HeadshotAttention Patients - Please click here to read a message from Dr. Falkenberg about adjustments to his schedule.


Thomas Falkenberg, M.D., has been practicing ophthalmology in Fredericksburg since 1996. He is a magna cum laude graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1987, he received his doctorate in medicine from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, cum laude. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey where he also served as Chief Resident. Dr. Falkenberg is board certified in ophthalmology. He is a member of the American College of Physicians, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology. The Consumer Research Council of America elected him one of America’s Top Ophthalmologists in Cataract & Refractive Surgery in 2004-2005. Dr. Falkenberg was selected as the 2017 Reader’s Choice winner for “favorite ophthalmologist” in the Fredericksburg region. He has also been selected by Northern Virginia Magazine as a Top Doc for 2016-2022 and was just named again in 2024.

Dr. Falkenberg serves as Medical Director of SIEHT. He has 20 years of experience in various types of refractive surgery, including all laser LASIK, PRK, Astigmatic Keratotomy, and Refractive Lens Exchange. He also performs the most technologically advanced form of cataract surgery available with advanced intraocular lenses, including PanOptix and Vivity multifocal lenses, as well as Toric astigmatic correcting lenses. Dr. Falkenberg also uses ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) during cataract surgery and is the first doctor to perform cataract surgery using this technology in the Fredericksburg area.

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Steven J. Hudson, M.D.

Dr Steven HudsonDr. Steven Hudson received his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. After interning at the National Naval Medical Center, Dr. Hudson completed his residency at the Medical University of South Carolina’s Storm Eye Institute in 2005, where he served as Chief Resident and received the Ophthalmology Program Director’s Award for displaying “the Behaviors and Attitudes Each of Us Looks for in Our Own Personal Physician.” Dr. Hudson has a diverse professional background as both a physician and attorney.

He received his Juris Doctorate from the University Of Maryland School Of Law with a concentration in Health Law. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. He served as a medical officer on active duty in the U.S. Navy for 12 years, including four years as an Executive Flight Surgeon aboard the President’s Helicopter Squadron, Marine One, and he is currently a Captain in the Navy Reserves.

Dr. Hudson is also proactive in the community, both locally and internationally. He received the American Medical Association’s Community Service Award for Lifetime Commitment to Community Service in 2006 and Unite for Sight’s 2007 International Volunteer of the Year Award for eye surgeries and care provided in Africa and Jerusalem. Dr. Hudson is Board Certified in Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Hudson was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society as Clinical Faculty, and he was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans in 2006 by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. He has also been named one of America’s Top Comprehensive Ophthalmologists by the Consumers’ Research Council of America.  He has also authored or co-authored textbook chapters and journal articles on the medical and surgical management of eye injuries and infections.

Dr. Hudson’s expertise includes Advanced Cataract Surgery (PanOptix, Toric Lenses, and Limbal Relaxing Incisions for astigmatism correction), Anterior Segment Surgery, Eyelid Surgery (including blepharoplasty and BOTOX), Laser Glaucoma Surgery, Medical Retina, Laser Surgery, and diabetic and routine eye care.

Shazia Ahmed, MD

Dr. Shazia Ahmed, is a board certified and fellowship-trained surgeon at one of our partner practices, Arlington Eye Center in Arlington, VA, who is assisting with cataract and LASIK surgery at SIEHT.

She specializes in complex cataract surgery, laser vision correction, ocular surface disease and corneal transplantation. Dr. Ahmed graduated magna cum laude with honors from Brown University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She earned her Doctorate in Medicine from Medical College of Georgia and completed her residency in Ophthalmology at Tufts Medical Center followed by a Cornea and Anterior Segment Fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine.

She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.  Dr. Ahmed is consistently named a "Top Doctor" in Ophthalmology by the Washingtonian.

In her free time she likes to travel the world, hit the gym, and consume an unhealthy amount of podcasts.

Shelly R. Hayes, O.D.

Dr Sheila HayesShelly Hayes, O.D. has been practicing Optometry in the Fredericksburg area since 1999. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Fordham University in New York and completed her doctorate in Optometry at the State University of New York College of Optometry. Her clinical externships included the study of vision therapy at her SUNY alma-mater, and the study of low-vision at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in the Ophthalmology Department of the Montefiore Medical Center. Upon achieving her doctorate, Dr. Hayes provided eye care to an underserved community in New York for 8 years.

At SIEHT, Dr. Hayes provides comprehensive eye exams, general eye care, and contact lens fittings. She has years of established experience in medical optometry, including surgical co-management and the continuing treatment of ocular disease. She focuses on managing diabetic eye care, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma, as well as treating the ocular manifestation of cardiovascular disease and referring patients to specialty clinics when needed.

Dr. Hayes has a special interest in eyebrow microblading, a cosmetic makeup procedure in which eyebrow definition is achieved by drawing crisp, individual “hair-like” strokes in the eyebrow region, resulting in full, natural-looking eyebrows.

During her free time, she enjoys hiking, hi-interval training, traveling, and spending time with her family. Dr. Hayes has a comprehensive working knowledge of Spanish.

Cambrie Chandler, O.D.

Dr Cambrie-Chandler OD HeadshotDr. Cambrie Chandler is an optometrist at SIEHT who provides comprehensive eye exams, pediatric care, management of ocular disease, co-management of systemic disease, and the fitting of contact lenses. She is trained in glaucoma and macular degeneration, as well as specialty contact lenses and pre- and post-operative management.

Dr. Chandler is a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. There, she was selected for the Scholars Program based on academic performance and motivation. 

Her clinical externships include pediatric care and vision therapy at the Eye Institute in Philadelphia, the study of soft and specialty contact lenses at Wrigley Associates in Philadelphia, and the study of ocular disease through the Philadelphia Veteran Affairs Hospital. 

In her free time, Dr. Chandler is an avid Philadelphia sports fan and fantasy football commissioner. Additionally, she enjoys spending time outside including hiking, kayaking, and playing with her puppy, Blue. 

Specialties

Education

  • BS, Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia PA, Graduated with Distinction, Dean's List Honoree
  • OD, Salus University Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Elkins Park, PA, 2023

Experience

  • Optometry Extern, Corporal Michael J Crescenz Philadelphia VA Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 2022-2023
  • Optometry Extern, Wrigley Eye Associates, Philadelphia, PA, 2022
  • Optometry Extern, Salus University The Eye Institute, Philadelphia, PA, 2022
  • Optician Assistant, Dr. Jessup and Stewart Optometry, Roanoke, VA, 2020-2021
  • Optometry Technician, Lynchburg Vision Associates, Lynchburg, VA, 2018-2019
  • Optometry Technician, Friedrich's Family Eye Center, Chatham, VA, 2018