Why the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center?

Frequently Asked Questions

Refractive Surgery Center

UW Eye Center

Patient Care

Research

Home Page

WHY SHOULD I HAVE MY LASER VISION CORRECTION SURGERY PERFORMED AT THE UNIVERSITIY OF WASHINGTON REFRACTIVE SURGERY CENTER?

Long-term Experience with Laser Vision Correction.
All members of our refractive surgical team have long term experience with laser vision correction and our center is actively conducting research in the latest technologies of laser vision correction . The refractive center has treated thousands of patients with stable clinical out comes.

Tueng T. Shen, MD, PhD 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, and other surgical correction for refractive purposes, such as post transplantation), for cataract surgeries, corneal transplantation surgeries, anterior segment reconstruction, and management of corneal and external diseases.
The Safety of Follow-up Care by the Surgeons Performing Your Surgery.
Rare, but potentially serious, complications of refractive surgery typically need to be detected and corrected immediately. This includes problems such as corneal infection, flap wrinkling, and other problems where delay in diagnosis and treatment can result in loss of vision. At the University of Washington , your progress following surgery will be monitored by your own surgeon.
Access to the Latest Technologies and Surgical Techniques.
The Refractive Surgery Center at the University of Washington features the VISX Excimer Laser. Actual outcomes in FDA trials have demonstrated that the VISX laser meets or exceeds the outcomes with all other excimer lasers. The Hansatome Microkeratome that we utilize for all LASIK procedures is considered the safest available instrument. The Procyon Pupillometry is used to confirm night-time pupil size. Our center is involved in the most recent studies of refractive surgerical techniques, including custom corneal topography which is critical part of pre-operative evaluation for refractive patients .
Individualized Attention to the Outcome of Your Surgery.
You could need enhancement to improve the vision after LASIK or PRK surgery. Many refractive surgery centers ask you to agree to guidelines which dictate that you will not receive enhancement if vision is 20/40 or better after LASIK or PRK. We do not utilize such arbitrary guidelines. At the University of Washington, we routinely enhance patients with vision of 20/30 or 20/25 following their LASIK or PRK if we feel that the patient will benefit from enhancement and the procedure can be performed safely. This is a critical question to ask if you are considering having refractive surgery at centers other than the University of Washington.
Availability of a Full Range of Refractive Surgical Procedures.
Eighty-five percent of the patients who have laser vision correction at the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center have LASIK. However, in some circumstances, PRK may be the best procedure for individual patients. At the University of Washington, you will receive all of the information necessary to make an informed decision as to which procedure is best for you.
Additionally, astigmatic keratotomy is available at the University of Washington. In some eyes, astigmatism is not sufficiently corrected with laser vision correction and cannot be enhanced with the excimer laser. In these cases, astigmatic keratotomy enhancement is available, at no additional charge, at the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center. This can mean the difference between a 20/40 and 20/20 outcome.
Friendly, Knowledgeable, and Efficient Staff.
Our refractive surgical team consist of experienced surgeons, nurses, technicians, and patient representatives . They are experienced and knowledgeable in ophthalmology as well as in the field of refractive surgery . Our team is dedicated to deliver the best care to our patients and we devote the most attention to each patient. By obtaining your care at the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center, you have the confidence of knowing that you are in the best of hands.

We look forward to serving you at the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center! Please contact us at (206) 598-2020.

				Frequently Asked Questions Refractive Surgery Center UW Eye Center Patient Care Research Home Page
	WHY SHOULD I HAVE MY LASER VISION CORRECTION SURGERY PERFORMED AT THE UNIVERSITIY OF WASHINGTON REFRACTIVE SURGERY CENTER? Long-term Experience with Laser Vision Correction. All members of our refractive surgical team have long term experience with laser vision correction and our center is actively conducting research in the latest technologies of laser vision correction . The refractive center has treated thousands of patients with stable clinical out comes. Tueng T. Shen, MD, PhD 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, and other surgical correction for refractive purposes, such as post transplantation), for cataract surgeries, corneal transplantation surgeries, anterior segment reconstruction, and management of corneal and external diseases. The Safety of Follow-up Care by the Surgeons Performing Your Surgery. Rare, but potentially serious, complications of refractive surgery typically need to be detected and corrected immediately. This includes problems such as corneal infection, flap wrinkling, and other problems where delay in diagnosis and treatment can result in loss of vision. At the University of Washington , your progress following surgery will be monitored by your own surgeon. Access to the Latest Technologies and Surgical Techniques. The Refractive Surgery Center at the University of Washington features the VISX Excimer Laser. Actual outcomes in FDA trials have demonstrated that the VISX laser meets or exceeds the outcomes with all other excimer lasers. The Hansatome Microkeratome that we utilize for all LASIK procedures is considered the safest available instrument. The Procyon Pupillometry is used to confirm night-time pupil size. Our center is involved in the most recent studies of refractive surgerical techniques, including custom corneal topography which is critical part of pre-operative evaluation for refractive patients . Individualized Attention to the Outcome of Your Surgery. You could need enhancement to improve the vision after LASIK or PRK surgery. Many refractive surgery centers ask you to agree to guidelines which dictate that you will not receive enhancement if vision is 20/40 or better after LASIK or PRK. We do not utilize such arbitrary guidelines. At the University of Washington, we routinely enhance patients with vision of 20/30 or 20/25 following their LASIK or PRK if we feel that the patient will benefit from enhancement and the procedure can be performed safely. This is a critical question to ask if you are considering having refractive surgery at centers other than the University of Washington. Availability of a Full Range of Refractive Surgical Procedures. Eighty-five percent of the patients who have laser vision correction at the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center have LASIK. However, in some circumstances, PRK may be the best procedure for individual patients. At the University of Washington, you will receive all of the information necessary to make an informed decision as to which procedure is best for you. Additionally, astigmatic keratotomy is available at the University of Washington. In some eyes, astigmatism is not sufficiently corrected with laser vision correction and cannot be enhanced with the excimer laser. In these cases, astigmatic keratotomy enhancement is available, at no additional charge, at the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center. This can mean the difference between a 20/40 and 20/20 outcome. Friendly, Knowledgeable, and Efficient Staff. Our refractive surgical team consist of experienced surgeons, nurses, technicians, and patient representatives . They are experienced and knowledgeable in ophthalmology as well as in the field of refractive surgery . Our team is dedicated to deliver the best care to our patients and we devote the most attention to each patient. By obtaining your care at the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center, you have the confidence of knowing that you are in the best of hands. We look forward to serving you at the University of Washington Refractive Surgery Center! Please contact us at (206) 598-2020.