Dr. Charles W. Flowers Jr.

Dr. Flowers, our San Diego LASIK surgeon, has over 16 years of experience in performing LASIK eye surgery and is a nationally recognized leader in the field. He is committed to providing the highest quality and the most advanced visual corrective procedures to his patients.

He is regarded by both his patients and his peers for his surgical skills and for the warm and caring way in which he relates to his patients.

Dr. Flowers’ involvement in the field of Laser Vision Correction began in 1993, when he was awarded a coveted fellowship at the Estelle Doheny Eye Institute of the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. During his fellowship, Dr. Flowers distinguished himself in the field of Laser Vision Correction by conducting basic research in the field and authoring several book chapters and articles on the subject.

Upon completion of his fellowship in 1995, Dr. Flowers joined the faculty at the UCLA School of Medicine’s Jules Stein Eye Institute and the Charles R. Drew University School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology.

During his time in academia, Dr. Flowers divided his time between teaching, research, and clinical practice. As a result of his relentless pursuit of excellence in his academic and clinical endeavors, Dr. Flowers received numerous scholarly and clinical awards, secured over one million dollars in research grant funding, and rose to the level of Associate Professor.

In 2003, Dr. Flowers relocated to San Diego to pursue his passion for Laser Vision Correction on a full-time basis and has been honored repeatedly including being recognized as one of the nation’s top laser eye surgeons by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, and as one of San Diego’s top LASIK surgeons by San Diego Magazine.

Moreover, he has worked as a medical consultant for the FOX 6 XETV Morning Show, where he has been interviewed numerous times for his expertise in the field of LASIK and Laser Vision Correction. He is a graduate of Stanford University and the Cornell University School of Medicine and is a National Medical Fellowships Scholar.

He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

In addition to Laser Vision Correction (LASIK Surgery), Dr. Flowers has expertise several other visual restorative procedures, which include Cataract surgery, Visian ICL implantation, corneal transplantation, pterygium surgery, and Intacs implantation for keratoconus.

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PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

EDUCATION:
1981-1985 Stanford University, Stanford California, B.S. Degree, Chemistry
1985-1989 Cornell University Medical College, NYC, New York, M.D. Degree

HONORS:
National Medical Fellowship Scholar
Recipient of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Merit Award


PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
1989-1990 Internship - General Surgery, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
1990-1993 Ophthalmology Residency, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
1992-1993 Chief Resident, Ophthalmology, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
1993-1995 Fellowship - Corneal and Refractive Surgery & External Disease, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, California

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Board Certified - National Board of Medical Examiners
Board Certified - American Board of Ophthalmology
Fellow - American College of Surgeons
Fellow - American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

ACADEMIC AND HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS:
Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, 2002
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 2002
Director, Refractive Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 2002
Director, Urban Telemedicine Resource Center, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 2002
Director, Surgical Services, Department of Ophthalmology, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 2002
Adhoc Reviewer, Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 1996
Adhoc Reviewer, American Journal of Ophthalmology, 1998

HONORS:
Intern of the Year, Department of Surgery, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 1990
Outstanding Scientific Poster Presentation Award, National Medical Association, 1992
National Eye Institute Travel Fellowship, Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, 1994
Award of Excellence in Resident Training, Doheny Eye Institute, USC School of Medicine, 1995
1998 Innovator's Award, Health Data Management Magazine, 1998
Computer-World Smithsonian Laureate, Smithsonian Institute Permanent Research Collection, 1998
Teleconferencing Excellence Award, International Teleconferencing Association, 1999
RCMI Research Award of Excellence, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 2000
America's Top Opthalmologists, Consumers' Research Council of America, 2002 - San Diego Laser Eye Surgeon
San Diego's Top Doctors, San Diego Magazine, 2004 - San Diego LASIK Surgeon

INVESTIGATIONAL STUDIES:
Principal Investigator, Evaluation of Intracular Lens Power Calculations in the Corneal Triple Procedure, 1994
Principal Investigator, Evaluation of Decentration & Defocusing on the Accuracy of Corneal Topography Systems, 1995
Co-Principal Investigator, Effects of Topical Medications of Epithelial Healing Following Excimer Laser PRK, 1995
Principal Investigator, Urban Telemedicine Demonstration Project, 1996
Principal Investigator, The Utility of Telemedicine for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in the Inner City, 1999
Principal Investigator, Los Angeles Urban Telemedicine Network Project, 2000

REFRACTIVE PUBLICATIONS:
"Mechanical Methods in Refractive Corneal Surgery" Curr Opin Ophthalmology 1994; 6:81-89
"Radial Keratotomy," Book Chapter in Laser and Conventional Refractive Surgery, BMJ Publishing, 1996; 210-268
"Computer-Assisted Analysis of Corneal Topography," in Laser and Conventional Refractive Surgery, BMJ, 1996; 89-127
"Clinical Results of Excimer Laser PRK for Myopia," Book Chapter in Refractive Surgery, Appleton Lange, 1997: 441-53
"Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy," Article in Ophthalmology Clinics of North America, W.B. Saunders, 2001; 1-8