Alvarado Eye Associates of La Mesa
LASIK & Cataract Surgery in San Diego
Alvarado Eye Associates Eye Clinic of La Mesa
Established in 1978, our cutting-edge facility has been a cornerstone of the San Diego ophthalmology community, proudly serving the East County region, including La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, and beyond.
Eye Surgeries and Procedures in La Mesa
At Alvarado Eye Associates, we are committed to providing a wide range of eye care services, including state-of-the-art LASIK eye surgery such as Contoura Vision LASIK, as well as other advanced procedures like Cataract surgery, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), PRK surgery (Photorefractive Keratectomy), and Monovision LASIK.
Cataract Surgery
A surgical procedure used to remove a cataract and replace it with an artificial lens, such as our Lifestyle lenses. The overall procedure is typically very fast (15-20 minutes) and patients often experience improved vision within a few days.
LASIK, PRK, and LASIK Contoura
LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) and PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) are both procedures that reshape the cornea using a laser to correct vision. In LASIK, a thin flap is created on the surface of the cornea. PRK is less common and meant to help people with very thin corneas that are too thin for LASIK. In PRK, the outer layer of the cornea is completely removed. Both procedures result in improved vision by changing the way light is focused on the retina. Contoura LASIK opens the way for highly personalized and precise treatment for vision correction, allowing corrective action for a broader range of visual imperfections and reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional LASIK and PRK in individuals with thin corneas.
La Mesa Eye Care
Our dedicated team takes great pride in delivering exceptional care to our patients, recognizing that each individual is unique. Alongside LASIK, we offer comprehensive eye care and specialized treatments such as Dry Eye Treatment, Lifestyle Lenses, Pterygium surgery, and Glaucoma surgery.
Our goal is to provide the highest level of patient care and utilize advanced technology, all within a warm and personalized environment. When you choose Alvarado Eye Associates, you’re choosing a commitment to your vision and eye health, with a comprehensive range of services tailored to your needs.
Not sure if LASIK is right for you?
99% SUCCESS RATE 99% of NVISION patients see 20/20 or better after LASIK
RAPID RECOVERY Resume your normal activities in 24 hours
COMFORT-FOCUSED LASIK is virtually painless and completed in minutes
Considering Eye Surgery in La Mesa?
At Alvarado Eye Associates of La Mesa, we are dedicated to providing tailored, quality patient care augmented by the best talent and technology of the industry. Experience the warmth of our personalized environment and the excellence of our eye care services. Your unique vision and eye health needs are our top priority.
Alvarado Eye Associates of La Mesa
7877 Parkway Dr #100La Mesa, CA 91942
Mon - Fri: 8 AM - 5 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Ida Reaves
I recently visited Dr. Young for my eye appointment, and I had a great experience. The office staff was welcoming and efficient, which made the check-in process smooth. Dr. Young was ...
Diane Sawyer
Check in was easy, receptionist friendly and courteous. My nurse also was professional and friendly and very helpful. My Dr was always a 10. Professional, caring and very professional. They ...
Lou
I have been to Alvarado Eye several times for new glasses. Recently I went to see Dr. Alla Young for an eye infection. The staff is friendly and ...
Vision Correction Procedures in La Mesa
Today's life-changing procedures make it possible to improve your vision to 20/20—or better.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is a very common and medically necessary procedure to remove and replace the eye’s natural lens when the vision has been clouded by a cataract. We offer laser-assisted cataract surgery and lifestyle lenses as options for our patients.
Other Procedures
Contoura® Vision LASIK
Contoura® Vision LASIK?
Contoura® Vision LASIK is an advanced form of LASIK eye surgery that utilizes topography-guided technology to tailor the laser treatment to the unique characteristics of an individual’s cornea. This technology aims to provide a more personalized and precise correction of refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Contoura® Vision creates a highly precise and accurate map of a patient’s eyes measuring up to 22,000 unique elevation points on each eye.
Key features of Contoura® Vision LASIK include:
1. Topography-Guided Treatment:
– Contoura® Vision LASIK utilizes detailed corneal mapping or corneal topography to create a highly customized treatment plan. This map captures thousands of data points on the cornea, allowing for a more precise analysis of its shape and irregularities.
2. Personalized Correction:
– The topography-guided technology enables the laser to precisely reshape the cornea based on the unique imperfections detected in the corneal map. This personalized approach aims to address higher-order aberrations, improving not only traditional refractive errors but also the overall quality of vision.
3. Reduced Glare and Halos:
– Contoura® Vision LASIK is designed to reduce the occurrence of visual disturbances such as glare and halos, which can be associated with certain refractive errors. The customized treatment may result in improved night vision and reduced sensitivity to light.
4. Potential for Better Visual Outcomes:
– The goal of Contoura® Vision LASIK is to achieve superior visual outcomes by optimizing the correction based on the individual characteristics of the patient’s cornea.
It’s important to note that the availability of Contoura® Vision LASIK may vary, and not all LASIK centers offer this specific technology. If you are considering LASIK surgery and are interested in Contoura® Vision LASIK, it’s recommended to consult with an experienced refractive surgeon or LASIK eye doctor who can assess your candidacy and discuss the available options for personalized laser vision correction.
Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
Refractive lens exchange (RLE), is when a clear lens is implanted to replace your eye’s natural lens to correct your vision.
This procedure is often used for pre-cataract patients, as a preventative vision correction solution. Refractive lens exchange (RLE) can also correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
PRK Surgery (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
What is PRK Surgery?
PRK Surgery (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is a type of laser eye surgery that is used to correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. PRK is an alternative to LASIK eye surgery and is particularly suitable for individuals who may not be candidates for LASIK due to certain corneal characteristics.
Overview of the PRK surgery process:
- Corneal Epithelium Removal:
- In PRK, the surgeon begins by removing the thin outer layer of the cornea called the epithelium. This can be done using an alcohol solution, a special brush, or a laser.
- Laser Reshaping of the Cornea:
- Once the epithelium is removed, a laser is used to precisely reshape the cornea. The laser ablates or removes microscopic amounts of corneal tissue based on the patient’s refractive error. The goal is to correct the curvature of the cornea and improve the focus of light on the retina.
- Healing Process:
- Unlike LASIK, where a corneal flap is created, PRK does not involve creating a flap. Instead, the corneal surface is allowed to regenerate naturally. The healing process involves the growth of new epithelial cells over the treated area.
- Post-operative Care:
- Following PRK surgery, patients are given medicated eye drops to aid in the healing process and prevent infection. Recovery may take a bit longer compared to LASIK, and patients may experience temporary discomfort during the initial days.
Key considerations for PRK surgery include:
- Corneal Thickness: PRK may be a suitable option for individuals with thinner corneas who may not be ideal candidates for LASIK.
- Occupational Considerations: PRK may be recommended for individuals with occupations or lifestyles that carry a risk of corneal injury, as it eliminates the creation of a corneal flap.
- Healing Time: The initial visual recovery may take longer with PRK compared to LASIK. Patients typically experience optimal vision several weeks after the procedure.
PRK is a well-established and effective procedure for vision correction, and its suitability depends on individual factors. It’s important to consult with an experienced refractive surgeon or eye care professional to determine the most appropriate laser eye surgery option based on your eye health and lifestyle.
Dry Eye Treatment
Dry eye is an irritating, painful, and common condition in which the eye fails to properly produce quality tears. When left untreated, it may lead to ulcers and scars on the cornea.
Depending on the severity of your condition, there are a variety of treatments to relieve dry eyes.
Lifestyle Lenses
Lifestyle lenses are a premium lens option that offers a more functional range of vision, and are designed to reduce the need for distance and reading glasses.
We offer the latest and most advanced lifestyle lens on the market.
Pterygium Surgery
Pterygium surgery is performed under topical anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
Glaucoma Surgery
Glaucoma eye surgery involves using a microscopic stent to drain fluid that could harm the optic nerve. This procedure is minimally invasive.
Monovision LASIK
Monovision lasik can treat presbyopia. One eye would remain slightly nearsighted while correcting your other eye for distance vision. With both eyes open, you’ll experience clear and comfortable vision both near and far.
Insurance Plans and Payment Options
At NVISION Eye Centers, we strive to make managing your care as easy as possible. In addition to working with many insurance providers, we offer a convenient online payment option for your bills. Click here to pay your bill online.
Below, you’ll find a list of the insurance companies we currently accept at this location. If your provider is not listed, please give us a call—NVISION frequently adds new insurance companies and offers many out-of-network options.
- Aetna
- Blue Cross
- Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Health Net
- Humana
- Medicare
- United Health Care
- VSP
- Bankers Life
- Delta
- First Health
- GEHA
- Great West
- Mail Handlers
- Operating Engineers
- Pacific Care
- Sharp Medical Group HMO
- Secure Horizon
- Tricare
Surgeons at Alvarado Eye Associates of La Mesa
Originally from New York, Lee R. Katzman, M.D. is a board certified Cornea Specialist and active Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.He has performed thousands of refractive surgical procedures and has been honored with numerous San Diego Top Doctors awards.
Dr. Iga N. Gray is a comprehensive ophthalmologist with a specialization in glaucoma. She has been with Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) in San Diego since 2021. Prior to that, she worked at Philadelphia Eye Associates and was affiliated with Wills Eye Hospital and the University of Pennsylvania’s Scheie Eye Institute, where she completed her glaucoma fellowship and ophthalmology residency.
At NVISION® Eye Centers, we provide life-changing results, an exceptional experience, and a lifetime commitment to your LASIK vision correction.
- Industry-leading eye doctors and vision outcomes with more than 2 million successful procedures
- The most advanced laser and diagnostic technology available
- Financing available – no down payment, zero or low interest, low monthly payments
- Free LASIK consultations
- Use your FSA/HSA balance toward LASIK before it expires in December
Location Information
Alvarado Eye Associates of La Mesa
7877 Parkway Dr #100 La Mesa, CA 91942
866-204-3708