Dr. Townsend is widely recognized as one of the preeminent eyelid surgeons in the world. He has successfully performed over 13,000 cosmetic eyelid procedures in his distinguished career.
Dr. Townsend has 30 years of surgical experience. He is a past President of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a Harvard Medical School teaching facility. In 2019 he was elected to the Mayo Clinic Alumni Association Board of Directors.
In addition to cosmetic surgery of the eye and eyelids, Dr. Townsend is an expert in facial rejuvenation with injectables such as Botox and fillers. He is highly a highly experienced injector of neurotoxins such as Botox™, Dysport, and Xeomen; and facial fillers such as Restylane™, Juvederm™, Voluma, and more. He was one of the first physicians in the country to use Botox. He has trained many other physicians in the proper use and techniques for Botox and fillers.
Dr. Townsend has 25 years of surgical experience and is the recent past President of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, a Harvard Medical School teaching facility.
Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology — 1985
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and
Reconstructive Surgery — 1991
Residency Training
Fellow, Oculoplastic/Orbital Diseases and Surgery,
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary,
Harvard University, Boston, MA 1984 – 1985
Resident, Ophthalmology,
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary,
Harvard University, Boston, MA 1981 – 1984
Intern, Internal Medicine,
New England Deaconess Hospital,
Harvard University, Boston, MA 1980 – 1981
Medical School
Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, MN M.D., 1980
Undergraduate School
St. OlafCollege, Northfield, MN
Summa Cum Laude,Phi Beta Kappa B.A., 1976
Faculty Appointments
Instructor, Ophthalmology,
Harvard Medical School 1985 – present
Assistant in Ophthalmology, Active Staff,
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary 1987 – present
Oculoplastic Consultant,
Facial Nerve Clinic,
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary 1990 – present
Instructor, Ophthalmology,
Tufts Medical School 1993 – present
Interim Attending Director, Oculoplastics Service,
Tufts New England Medical Center 1998 – 1999
Co-Director, Oculoplastics Service,
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary 1987 – 1988
Hospital Affiliations
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
Carney Hospital, Dorchester, MA
Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket, MA
Saint Luke’s Hospital, New Bedford, MA
Professional Memberships
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Medical Association
Massachusetts Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons
Mayo Clinic Alumni Association
New England Ophthalmologic Society
Books Published
Borodic GE, Townsend DJ (co-authors), Atlas of Eyelid Surgery, WB Saunders Company, 1993
Townsend DJ, Jakobiec F (co-editors), Orbit Section, Harvard System Of Ophthalmology, 5-volume set, WB Saunders Company, 1993
Townsend DJ, Borodic GE (co-authors; Book chapter), “Treatment of Involuntary Facial Spastic Disease and Botulinum Toxin,” Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Volume 1. Albert Hornblass, Editor. 1987
Townsend DJ, (Book chapter) “Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed Eye,” Facial Surgery, Mack Cheney, Editor.Williams and Wilkins, 1997
A frequent lecturer in both professional and academic settings, Dr. Townsend has published dozens of peer-reviewed articles on a variety of topics, including the clinical application of Botox. In addition, he has been a book reviewer for the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery since 1986, as well as for the Archives of Ophthalmology since 1987.
Cheryl Clarkson, Founder