Training and board certification
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| MD | University of Colorado School of Medicine |
| Surgical internship | Exempla St. Joseph Hospital, Denver, CO |
| Residency | Ophthalmology, University of Kansas |
| Fellowship | Oculoplastic surgery, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), Los Angeles, completed 2011 |
- Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology; member of ASOPRS and the San Diego County Medical Society.
- Named a Paul Kayser International Scholar by the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology during residency.
- Served as Chief of Ophthalmology at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Central Florida, before founding San Diego Eyelid Specialists in 2016; now Chief of Ophthalmology at Scripps Encinitas Hospital.
- ASOPRS board examiner; voluntary faculty at UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute; received the Outstanding Volunteer Faculty Award from the Shiley Eye Institute.
- Named a Top Doctor by San Diego Magazine in both Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery every year since 2016.
- Volunteer Faculty with ORBIS International's Flying Eye Hospital, teaching and performing eyelid surgery in more than 20 countries (including Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Peru, India, Cambodia and Palestine).
- Co-authored a 2020 publication in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery describing a newly identified hereditary eyelid syndrome; developed a quantitative method of evaluating eyelid laxity.
Eyelid surgery work
- Upper blepharoplasty. Incision hidden in the eyelid crease; his stated "Volumetric Harmony" approach preserves the orbicularis oculi muscle rather than removing it, to protect blink function and avoid a hollowed look (source).
- Lower blepharoplasty. Performed through a transconjunctival (inside-eyelid) incision, repositioning rather than simply removing fat, and preserving the orbicularis muscle (source).
- Scarless (internal) ptosis repair. Levator muscle is tightened or advanced from inside the eyelid, through the inner eyelid surface, with no external incision or scar (source).
- Asian eyelid surgery. Creates or refines an eyelid crease individualized to the patient's anatomy (source).
- Brow lift. Elevates sagging brows and softens forehead creases, tailored to avoid overcorrection (source).
- Revision blepharoplasty. Addresses eyelid retraction, poor scarring, asymmetry, ectropion and over-resection from a prior surgery elsewhere; patients are generally advised to wait at least six months after the original surgery before a revision (source).
- Eyelid reconstruction and skin cancer reconstruction. Repairs eyelid structure after Mohs surgery, trauma or congenital defects, typically coordinated with dermatologists/Mohs surgeons; orbital tumor removal performed through an incision hidden in the natural eyelid crease (source, source).
Other procedures
Anti-wrinkle (neuromodulator) injections, BOTOX and dermal filler injections (sandiegoeyelids.com).
Insurance and cost
For upper eyelid surgery, "insurance coverage may sometimes apply" for patients with significant visual obstruction, and staff help determine if medical necessity criteria are met; for ptosis surgery, insurance is discussed at consultation if vision is obstructed (source, source). The practice publishes starting prices: upper eyelid surgery from $6,800, scarless ptosis repair from $6,000, lower eyelid surgery from $7,800, and endoscopic brow lift from $10,000, described as reference figures for single-procedure cases, with a personalized quote given at consultation (source).
Recovery
- Back to work. Upper eyelid surgery: most patients return to work and social activities within 7-10 days (source).
- Final result. Upper eyelid surgery results typically last 10-15 years (same page).
- Swelling. Lower eyelid surgery: expect mild swelling and bruising for 7-10 days (source).
- Back to work. Scarless ptosis surgery: most patients resume normal activities within a week (source).