Dr. Tilford is a native of the Paducah area and a Heath High School graduate. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University in 1972 and graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 1980.

He completed his internal medicine residency at UCLA Medical Center/ Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA with rotation at Veterans Administration Hospital at Van Nuys, CA in 1981.

He then completed his ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 1981-1983. He served as Chief Resident in the Department of Ophthalmology at Vanderbilt University and its three hospitals: Veterans Administration Hospital, Nashville General and Vanderbilt University Hospital/Medical Center in Nashville, TN.

Dr. Tilford has been in private practice in Atlanta, GA, focusing on diseases and surgery of the Vitreous/Macula/Retina, including complex retinal detachment surgery for 22 years. He joined Paducah Retinal Center in 2006 and is a partner of The Ophthalmology Group, LLP.