Dr. David Harris Jr., M.D. is a cornea specialist who pursued his passion for science and optics. The cornea is the transparent layer that forms the front of the eye and produces most of the focusing of light. Corneal procedures performed by Dr. Harris range from minor surgery to life-changing operations such as corneal transplants, a process that allows the surgeon to restore sight to the living and give a profound sense of purpose to the family of the cornea donor at a time of death.
Dr. David Harris Jr., M.D. is a cornea specialist who pursued his passion for science and optics. The cornea is the transparent layer that forms the front of the eye and produces most of the focusing of light. Corneal procedures performed by Dr. Harris range from minor surgery to life-changing operations such as corneal transplants, a process that allows the surgeon to restore sight to the living and give a profound sense of purpose to the family of the cornea donor at a time of death.
The reviews listed below were collected independently of University Eye Specialists through rater8. Each review represents an authentic and verified patient experience.
The best doctor ever I am so thankful that I am one of his patients!
Jun-2025
Dr Harris is one of the most compassionate and kind doctors that I’ve ever known. He’s good at what he does but a humble soul. We had a long wait time today, but I would wait even longer to be his patient. He was very apologetic, but there was really nothing he could have done any differently. I would recommend Dr Harris to everybody I know!
Jun-2025
Wait was a bit long, otherwise staff was wonderful!❤️
Jun-2025
Excellent surgeon! Had a pretty significant eye injury and he saved my sight. Absolutely incredible.
Jun-2025
Dr Harris is Always Excellent. His accomplishments, contributions to Healthcare, Community, Veterans and Active Military Physicians, and Education is Exemplary. Professor at University of Tennessee and Dean Naval Captain and Teacher at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Washington DC, and his many nonprofit leaderships is Superb. Not to mention a wonderful surgeon and person. ❤️🥇🇺🇸
Jun-2025
Great doctor
Jun-2025
The best !!!
Jun-2025
Dr. Harris has been taking care of my eyes for over 30 years. In my opinion, he’s the best doctor I have ever had.
Jun-2025
Dr. Harris has helped me tremendously since I’ve been seeing him. Eye doctors in my immediate area couldn’t figure out what was wrong with my eyes. Dr. Harris figured out what my problem was on my first visit and helped me tremendously!
Jun-2025
Waited over three hours from scheduled appointment until seeing doctor. I understand emergencies and some delays but 3 hours with no communication except ‘we are running later to day’ is unacceptable.
May-2025
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Eye Care Center Morristown
500 McFarland Street, Ste. A Morristown, TN 37814
Tennessee Valley Eye Center
140 Capital Drive Knoxville, TN 37922
UT Medical Center
1932 Alcoa Highway, Bldg. C Ste. 255 Knoxville, TN 37920
Dr. David Harris Jr., M.D. is a cornea specialist who pursued his passion for science and optics. The cornea is the transparent layer that forms the front of the eye and produces most of the focusing of light. Corneal procedures performed by Dr. Harris range from minor surgery to life-changing operations such as corneal transplants, a process that allows the surgeon to restore sight to the living and give a profound sense of purpose to the family of the cornea donor at a time of death.
Dr. Harris grew up in Knoxville, and after serving both at sea and in U.S. Navy hospitals for 11 years, he transferred to the Navy Reserve in Knoxville and joined University Eye Specialists in 1989. Fortuitously, UES needed a cornea specialist at a time when Dr. Harris could take the opportunity to return to his hometown. The move home allowed his children to grow up close to their grandparents, the late Polly Anna and David Harris, Sr.
His life-long affiliation with the University of Tennessee – Dr. Harris earned a bachelor’s degree from UT in 1975 and his medical degree from UT Memphis in 1978 – has recently culminated in his being promoted to full professor in the Department of Surgery, having served as chief of the ophthalmology section since 1994. He teaches ophthalmology here at the UT Graduate School of Medicine and at the Hamilton Eye Institute at UT Memphis. Harris feels that teaching stimulates him to remain on the cutting edge of the constantly changing field of ophthalmology, and that caring for patients at UT’s Level One Trauma Center keeps him on the “tip of the sword” well past his military days. Dr. Harris retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1999, but still teaches in the Military Eye Trauma Symposium each year in Bethesda, MD.
Dr. Harris enjoys working and living in East Tennessee because of the mountains, lakes, and various sports seasons. He appreciates the diversity offered by a city with a major university, an excellent public school system, and proximity to the scientific power of Oak Ridge and UT. Dr. Harris also enjoys the arts and entertainment offered in Knoxville and its thriving downtown. An avid swimmer, hiker and Vol sports fan, Dr. Harris also is an alumnus of the UT Pride of the Southland Band. He plays trombone with the alumni band at the Tennessee homecoming football game each fall, and with the UT Pep-band at Tennessee home basketball games during the winter break.
Community service is an important part of Dr. Harris’ life. He has been the public address announcer for Bearden High School’s boys’ and girls’ soccer teams since 1999. He has volunteered as the Medical Director of the East Tennessee Lions Eye Bank since 1994. He also offers free medical services to less fortunate patients through Knoxville’s InterFaith Health Clinic; Knoxville Area Project Access, a philanthropic project of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Foundation; and Remote Area Medical (RAM), which provides free care in medically under-served areas around the world.
Dr. Harris is married to Dr. Patricia Lindsey Harris, a clinical pharmacist, and they have three children who all became physicians: Dr. Lauren Harris, an ophthalmologist and cornea specialist who joined University Eye Specialists in 2014; Dr. David Harris III, an ophthalmologist and cornea specialist who teaches at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City; and Dr. Andrew Harris, an orthopedic trauma surgeon and hand specialist with University Orthopedics Surgeons at UT Medical Center in Knoxville. The Harrises have three grandchildren, Heidi Marie Harris, Callaway Lyle Harris, and Cambridge Andrew Harris.
The best doctor ever I am so thankful that I am one of his patients!
Dr Harris is one of the most compassionate and kind doctors that I’ve ever known. He’s good at what he does but a humble soul. We had a long wait time today, but I would wait even longer to be his patient. He was very apologetic, but there was really nothing he could have done any differently. I would recommend Dr Harris to everybody I know!
Wait was a bit long, otherwise staff was wonderful!❤️
Excellent surgeon! Had a pretty significant eye injury and he saved my sight. Absolutely incredible.
Dr Harris is Always Excellent. His accomplishments, contributions to Healthcare, Community, Veterans and Active Military Physicians, and Education is Exemplary. Professor at University of Tennessee and Dean Naval Captain and Teacher at Bethesda Naval Hospital, Washington DC, and his many nonprofit leaderships is Superb. Not to mention a wonderful surgeon and person. ❤️🥇🇺🇸
Great doctor
The best !!!
Dr. Harris has been taking care of my eyes for over 30 years. In my opinion, he’s the best doctor I have ever had.
Dr. Harris has helped me tremendously since I’ve been seeing him. Eye doctors in my immediate area couldn’t figure out what was wrong with my eyes. Dr. Harris figured out what my problem was on my first visit and helped me tremendously!
Waited over three hours from scheduled appointment until seeing doctor. I understand emergencies and some delays but 3 hours with no communication except ‘we are running later to day’ is unacceptable.