Background
Although he initially intended to pursue a law degree, Dr. Byrnes became interested in his college roommate’s pre-med coursework. He changed his major, went to medical school, and today he appreciates the opportunity he has to treat the people of southwestern Virginia as a vitreoretinal surgeon at Vistar Eye Center.
“Despite the fact that I’ve been doing this for seventeen years, I don’t take any of it for granted. I thank my lucky stars every day that I am part of this unique and honorable group of physicians. An important advantage of this practice is that we have our own surgery center. That enables us to provide our patients with excellent state-of-the-art care that is timely and efficient.”
Dr. Byrnes is married and has two children. He finds that fatherhood, by increasing his range of life experience, has given him another level of understanding and empathy. In addition to those qualities, his patients value his direct and honest approach.
“It is difficult to be the bearer of unpleasant news, but my patients can count on me to tell them the truth and to help them set realistic expectations.”
Outside of work when he is not working or driving his kids to their sports and activities, he and his family like to travel.