Welcome to the Refractive Surgery Center at the University of Washington Medical Center

For more information or to schedule a no-obligation consultation, call (206) 598-2020.

The UWMC Eye Center is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art vision correction for patients with nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism (distortion of the cornea). The UWMC Refractive Surgery Center provides cutting-edge technology including the VISX Excimer Laser, Hansatome automated microkeratome, computerized corneal topography, Wave scan wavefront analysis and procyon pupil analysis. Our refractive surgery team has delivered excellent results to thousands of patients. Our refractive center is also involved in active research to advance the field of refractive surgery.

Our Ophthalmologists

Tueng T. Shen, MD, PhD

Dr. Shen is the director of the Refractive Surgery Center at the University of Washington Medical Center. Dr. Shen was named the first Lions Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Washington in 2003. She specializes in refractive surgery, medical and surgical management of corneal disorders and cataract surgeries.

Dr. Shen is committed to deliver the best eye care possible by providing the most advanced treatment options and by developing better technologies to restore vision for patients with challenging corneal conditions. As a physician, Dr. Shen believes that patients deserve a physician who listens to their needs and keeps them well-informed. Dr. Shen has extensive training and experience in Cornea and Refractive surgery. Her clinical expertise includes advanced techniques for refractive surgeries (LASIK, PRK, LASEK and other surgical correction for refractive purposes, such as in post transplantation), for cataract surgeries, corneal transplantation surgeries, anterior segment reconstruction, and management of corneal and external diseases.

Dr. Shen received her M.D. from Harvard Medical School and her Ph.D. in Medical Engineering and Chemistry from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her clinical training in Ophthalmology include residency at Harvard's Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Moran Eye Center of the University of Utah.

Dr. Shen has published many peer reviewed articles ranging from clinical outcome of refractive surgeries, medical imaging technologies to biopolymers for tissue engineering. She conducts research in corneal tissue engineering for the treatment of corneal blindness.

Michael Wu, MD

Dr. Wu specializes in surgical and medical management of corneal disorders, cataract surgery, and refractive surgery. He enjoys taking the time to provide extremely thorough and attentive care for complex corneal diseases requiring surgical or medical care. Dr. Wu has advanced training in corneal transplantation, anterior segment reconstruction, refractive surgery (LASIK and PRK), and INTACS intracorneal rings for keratoconus.

Dr. Wu graduated from Princeton University with an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, completing his Internal Medicine internship at the University of North Carolina Hospitals and his Ophthalmology residency at Georgetown University Medical Center. Dr. Wu then completed advanced fellowship training in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at the University of Southern California Doheny Eye Institute in Los Angeles. Dr. Wu has a special clinical interest in the management of keratoconus, including the new use of intracorneal rings (INTACS) in the treatment of this corneal disease.

Dr. Wu sees scheduled patients at the University of Washington Eye Center at the main medical center. Please call (206) 598-4011 for appointment scheduling at this location, or to request special arrangements directly with Dr. Wu for a refractive consultation at the UWMC Roosevelt Refractive Surgery Center.

Nancy Y. Ross, OD

Dr. Ross is the teaching associate and primary optometrist for the Refractive Surgery Center at the University of Washington Medical Center. Dr. Ross received her optometric education at Pacific University College of Optometry, located in Forest Grove, Oregon. Her internal clinical rotations included working at Hickam Air Force Base in Honolulu, Hawaii and Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute in Bellevue, Washington. She completed her post-doctoral residency in Chicago, Illinois at Chicago Westside Veteran Medical Center. While in her residency, she specialized in ocular disease and low vision rehabilitation.

Dr. Ross has vast experience in LASIK and cataract management. Before joining the University of Washington, she was the primary optometrist in a high volume LASIK center. She also practiced three years in primary care where she co-managed her LASIK and cataract patients.

Dr. Ross has presented research at the American Academy of Optometry and Illinois College of Optometry. She is an active member of the Optometric Physicians of Washington, King County Optometric Society and American Optometric Association.

To better inform our patients about the different refractive surgery procedures, we have listed a brief description of each of the procedures in the following paragraphs :

Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK)
LASIK is an investigational, vision-correction procedure in which a thin layer of cornea that can be folded back is produced with an instrument called a microkeratome. LASIK can be used to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness, with or without astigmatism. The UW employs a state-of-the-art instrument called the Hansatome microkeratome to make the flap for LASIK. Excimer laser correction is applied beneath this flap of cornea and the flap is returned to its original position after a few minutes. The advantages of LASIK include relatively rapid visual improvement and comfort. Significant complications, however, can rarely be associated with production of the flap of cornea with the microkeratome. Therefore, patients should discuss the relative benefits and risks of LASIK compared to PRK, depending on their level of nearsightedness or farsightedness, with the surgeon. The FDA has determined that whether a surgeon performs LASIK or PRK on a particular eye is a decision to be made by the surgeon based on what the surgeon feels is the best treatment for the individual patient's eye.

Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
PRK is a vision-correction procedure in which the excimer laser is used to change the curvature of the cornea to correct nearsightnedness or farsightedness with or without astigmatism. PRK can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. PRK with the VISX Laser was approved by the FDA in 1996 after the completion of trials that began in 1989. Studies have shown that the current PRK technique is most effective in the treatment of nearsightedness from one to seven diopters. Studies have demonstrated that approximately 80% of eyes will see 20/20 one year after PRK. Ninety-five to ninety-eight percent of eyes will see 20/40 or better, the level of vision required to drive without glasses in most states. Although complications may occur with any surgical procedure, PRK has been shown to be safe and effective in the appropriate patients.

Laser Assisted Subepithelial Keratectomy (LASEK)
LASEK is a new refractive surgery technique which combines the surface treatment of PRK with the added comfort of LASIK without the potential complications of the LASIK flap. The surface skin of the cornea (the epithelium) is separated before the surface treatment with laser and this epithelial flap is then repositioned after the treatment to provide much reduced pain and shorten recovery time as compared to PRK. LASEK may be an excellent choice for patients who has thin corneas and therefore not an ideal candidate for LASIK procedures.

Refractive Lensectomy
Refractive lensectomy is also known as clear lens replacement surgery. This procedure is very similar to modern cataract surgery in that the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens implant. Refractive lensectomy may be a better alternative to other refractive surgery procedures in certain patients with high degrees of nearsightedness or farsightedness. The procedure is performed under topical anesthesia, similar to that of LASIK and it is an out-patient procedure. The refractive lensectomy is normally reserved for patients who are already using reading glasses or individuals who are not good candidate for any other laser refractive surgeries. Patients need to discuss specific risks and benefits of this refractive surgical approach with the surgeon and the decision is made on individual basis.

Intracorneal Rings
Many patients have inquired regarding intracorneal rings (INTACS). INTACS are clear rings that are surgically implanted to reshape the cornea to treat nearsightedness or astigmatism. The advantage of using these implants in refractive surgery is that they may be removed or replaced, with reversibility of their refractive effects. INTACS are FDA-approved for patients over 21 years of age with low ranges of nearsightedness (myopia ranging from -1.00 to -3.00 D) and limited astigmatism (less than 1.00 D).

Recent studies in Europe and the United States have also shown promising results in the treatment of some patients with keratoconus, a disease that causes thinning of the cornea. Keratoconus is currently one of the most common diseases for which corneal transplantation is required. In July 2004, the FDA issued a Humanitarian Devices Exemption (HDE) for the use of INTACS in the treatment of keratoconus. Certain keratoconus patients who are unable to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses, but who do not have scarring of their central cornea, may be candidates for INTACS. These patients may be able to delay the need for corneal transplantation with INTACS. INTACS are currently performed at the University of Washington only for the treatment of keratoconus, not as a refractive surgical procedure for nearsightedness. Interested keratoconus patients may arrange a consultation with Dr. Wu at the University of Washington Eye Center on the main medical campus at (206) 598-4011.

Astigmatic Keratotomy (AK)
AK is an incision procedure performed with a diamond knife that is used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea is football-shaped instead of basketball-shaped. AK can be used to correct from one to over five diopters of astigmatism. Although some patients have only astigmatism and can be treated with AK alone, AK is usually used in conjunction with excimer laser PRK or LASIK to correct combined astigmatism and nearsightedness. Even following PRK or LASIK in which concurrent astigmatism is corrected with the excimer laser, it is occasionally necessary to perform subsequent AK to provide the best possible vision for the patient.

Excimer Laser Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK)
PTK is a procedure in which the excimer laser is used to remove corneal scars, reduce corneal irregularity, or treat painful corneal erosions. PTK has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration .

Intracorneal Ring (ICR)
Many patients have inquired regarding the intracorneal rings. These rings have been touted as being reversible and highly accurate for the correction of myopia. Recently published studies suggest that these rings can only be used to correct low levels of myopia in selected patients . Active research is still on going for the efficacy of ICR to treat patients with kerataconus . To date , ICR remains experimental procedure for refractive patients.

Conductive Keratoplasty (CK )
In this procedure radio waves are used to shrink collagen in the cornea to correct hyperopia (far-sightedness). It is effective only up to 2 to 2.5 diopters and long-term stability is yet to be established.

Phakic Intraocular Lenses
Phakic intraocular lenses are currently under investigation for correction of refractive errors. In these procedures, a lens would be placed inside the eye. Numerous attempts have been made to perfect such lenses in the past; however, previous lenses used in phakic implantations have been associated with corneal endothelial damage and decompensation of the cornea, iris abnormalities, induction of glaucoma, and cataract. Continuing efforts may lead to lenses that are safer and prove, by long-term studies, to have high efficacy in the correction of nearsightedness and farsightedness . Currently the procedure is still considered experimental and is awaiting for FDA approval in the U.S.

To schedule a complimentary screening or appointment for any of the refractive procedures described above, the telephone number for the UWMC Refractive Surgery Center in Seattle is (206) 598-2020 for your questions or comments.