|
 Paul J. Dougherty, M.D., medical director of Dougherty Laser Vision, is among the nation's most experienced and respected specialists when it comes to LASIK and other advanced vision correction procedures. In addition to serving as medical director at Dougherty Laser Vision (where he personally performs all laser vision surgery) he serves as an assistant clinical instructor of ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine. He is also a principal investigator for FDA-approved clinical trials on the latest vision techniques and technologies.
Dr. Dougherty graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania, the nation's oldest university. He then attended UCLA Medical School, where he graduated first in his class. Dr. Dougherty completed his residency at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute, where he conducted award-winning research on the then nascent field of laser vision correction. He next studied corneal and refractive surgery as a fellow at the prestigious Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, where he trained with vision surgery pioneer Richard Lindstrom, M.D.
Dr. Dougherty was one of the first surgeons in the United States to perform laser vision correction on an investigational basis before it was approved by the FDA in 1995. Since then, he has personally performed more than 11,000 LASIK procedures to correct virtually all degrees of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Dr. Dougherty is also an authority on cataract surgery and non-laser refractive techniques such as implantable contact and intraocular lenses (ICLs/IOLs). He recently became one of the few surgeons in the US to implant the Crystalens, the first FDA-aprroved technology to restore focusing ability for seeing objects at a continuum of distances, from near to far.
Dr. Dougherty's research findings have been published extensively in peer-reviewed medical journals. He routinely teaches advanced surgical techniques to other doctors, and has been invited to lecture worldwide at universities and major ophthalmology conferences. Through his clinical research, Dr. Dougherty helped develop the BD microkeratome, one of the leading microkeratome technologies in the world. He has also served as a consultant for industry leading ophthalmic device companies including BD Ophthalmic Systems, NIDEK Technologies and Staar Surgical. In 1999 he was recognized for surgical excellence as a "VISX Star Surgeon" – an honor bestowed on only the top LASIK surgeons in the US. The Consumers Research Council of America recently named Dr. Dougherty one of "America's Top Ophthalmologists" for his work in refractive and cataract surgery. In addition, Dougherty Laser Vision was recently named LASIK center of the year for 2004 by the Los Angeles Daily News.
Dr. Dougherty had LASIK himself in January 1997. As such, he was one of the first ophthalmologists in the US to have LASIK on his own eyes. Since then, he has had perfect vision in both eyes without glasses or contacts. As a doctor who experienced the LASIK procedure first hand, Dr. Dougherty can relate to patients' concerns and answer their questions with unique insight and perspective. |
