Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop, MD, FACS

Stuart R. Winthrop, MD, FACS, is a nationally recognized, board-certified ophthalmologist who has been at the forefront of laser vision correction in Santa Barbara for more than 20 years. A Harvard-trained eye surgeon, he has successfully performed over 10,000 LASIK procedures. Dr. Winthrop served as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute and is currently on the board of the Santa Barbara Surgery Center. As a testament to his surgical skills and quality, patient-oriented eye care, Dr. Winthrop is consistently named “Best Ophthalmologist” by the Santa Barbara Press and independent reader polls. He regularly participates in medical missions worldwide, providing much-needed eye care to patients in developing countries through Cottage Eye Care and SEE International.

Dr. Winthrop performs LASIK eye surgery at his state-of-the-art surgical center, which is equipped with the latest, most sophisticated surgical lasers and diagnostic technology available today. He offers a range of advanced vision correction procedures and complex eye care treatments, including cataract surgery and corneal transplant surgery, and specializes in handling difficult anterior segment and corneal problems.

More About Vision Correction with Dr. Winthrop

Dr. Winthrop was among the first eye surgeons to perform LASIK in Santa Barbara. As a sign of his commitment to providing patients with the best and most sophisticated technology available, he was the first Santa Barbara eye surgeon to offer the new Wavelight Allegretto Eye-Q 400 Custom LASIK System. At 400 pulses per second, the Allegretto excimer laser uses a customized formula for each patient’s unique visual characteristics. Its superior eye tracking system reduces the need for LASIK patients to remain still and avoid blinking. This latest advancement in LASIK eye surgery allows Dr. Winthrop to provide each patient with safer, faster and more accurate vision correction results that often improve vision beyond 20/20.

Prior to reshaping the eye’s cornea for better vision, Dr. Winthrop administers numbing eye drops to maximize patient comfort. Next, he uses a surgical tool called a microkeratome, to create a corneal flap. The corneal flap is a thin piece of tissue that is lifted to expose the underlying cornea. Finally, Dr. Winthrop uses the advanced excimer laser system to correct vision flaws such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The corneal flap is then returned to its original position, where it acts as a natural bandage for the eye. Patients who undergo LASIK with Dr. Winthrop often achieve 20/20 vision or better and are able to greatly reduce their dependence on traditional eyewear.

More About Stuart R. Winthrop, MD, FACS

Stuart R. Winthrop, MD, FACS, obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and his medical degree from the University of Southern California (USC), where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. Following ophthalmology residency, Dr. Winthrop trained as a cornea fellow at the renowned Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary of Harvard University. Over the course of his prolific career, Dr. Winthrop has authored and co-authored numerous articles that have been published in medical journals. He is a former president of the Santa Barbara Ophthalmology Society and has served as Chairman of the Cottage Eye Center. Dr. Winthrop is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons. He is affiliated with many professional organizations, including the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the California Association of Ophthalmology, the California Medical Association and the Santa Barbara Surgery Center.