Richard C. Rothman, M.D.

LASIK and Refractive Specialist
Cornea and External Disease

Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology

“I have committed my practice of ophthalmology primarily to the specialty of Laser Vision Correction as a result of my confidence in the quality, effectiveness, and life-changing potential of these highly specialized surgical techniques. I am delighted to be a part of this unique period in the history of ophthalmology when we have the privilege to provide such sophisticated and gratifying procedures to our patients. "

Professional Associations:

American Academy of Ophthalmology  ·  Fellow American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery  ·  American Board of Ophthalmology   ·  Diplomate Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Biography

Dr. Rothman began his career in medicine in 1978 and later developed an expertise in refractive surgery and surgical instrument design while a research fellow at the Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School in 1986. At that time, he co-developed specialized surgical instrumentation to reduce astigmatism after corneal transplantation surgery which is now in use internationally. After this fellowship, Dr. Rothman completed a three-year residency in Ophthalmology at Center for Sight, Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC where he further developed his expertise in surgical instrument design and development. He then obtained sub-specialty training in Refractive Surgery, Cornea, and External Disease during a fellowship at Cornea Consultants, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston where he worked closely with Kenneth R. Kenyon, M.D., former Director of the Cornea Service at the Infirmary and one of the premier corneal and refractive surgeons in Boston.

As a result of his refractive experience in the 1980’s, Dr. Rothman became one of the earliest excimer laser certified surgeons in Northern California in 1995. Soon after, he accepted a position as Regional Medical Director of the Beacon Eye Institute in Atlanta where he further developed his expertise in this subspecialty. During the past eight years, Dr. Rothman has been involved with several prominent practices specializing in laser vision correction including his recent role as Senior Surgeon and California Medical Director for one of the largest international laser vision correction clinics in North America.

Dr. Rothman is experienced, or certified, on virtually all major FDA-approved excimer laser systems in use today, including three laser systems with the most advanced state-of-the-art eye tracking technologies available. Dr. Rothman has performed over 26,000 laser refractive procedures, 95% of which are LASIK. This level of experience places Dr. Rothman in the company of a very small group of the most highly experienced refractive surgeons in the United States.

Dr. Rothman is the recipient of numerous honors including the prestigious National Research Service award. His contribution to the design and development of the Rothman-Gilbard Donor Cornea Marker and Punch has also been recognized by the Storz Instrument Company at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Prior to his career in ophthalmology, Dr. Rothman’s professional background also included experience in a variety of practice settings including both emergency medicine and family practice. His undergraduate degree in the Biological Sciences was obtained at Northwestern University in Chicago. Dr. Rothman was born and raised in New York and his outside interests include travel, guitar, and historical literature.