Mark A. Kontos, MD
Christopher W. Sturbaum, MD
Empire Eye Physicians
1414 North Houk Road, Suite 103
Spokane, Washington 99216
(888) 791-3404
Dr. Mark A.
Kontos
Dr. Christopher W.
Sturbaum
Serving patients seeking bladeless LASIK eye surgery (iLASIK) in Spokane and the surrounding area
Mark A. Kontos, MD, and Christopher W. Sturbaum, MD, are board-certified ophthalmologists and colleagues at Empire Eye Physicians, a well-established eye care practice that has been serving vision correction patients throughout the Inland Northwest for more than 60 years. Dr. Kontos is a recognized eye surgeon who has taught refractive surgery procedures to fellow eye physicians nationwide. He is the only laser surgeon in the region to be named among the top 5 percent of LASIK surgeons in the country by VISX, Inc., the manufacturer of VISX excimer laser technologies for LASIK eye surgery. Dr. Sturbaum has an additional year of fellowship training in corneal and LASIK procedures. He is a regional leader in LASIK surgery and provides consultations for corneal conditions. Together, Drs. Kontos and Sturbaum strive to provide Spokane LASIK patients with the highest quality eye care in a safe and comfortable environment.
Empire Eye Physicians offers an array of vision correction procedures and eye care treatments, including iLASIK (bladeless LASIK), PRK, cataract surgery with multifocal intraocular lens implants (IOLs), implantable contact lenses, corneal transplant and dry eye treatment and surgeries. The doctors of Empire Eye Physicians are also qualified to perform eyelid lift surgery (blepharoplasty) and administer Botox injections.
To schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Kontos or Dr. Sturbaum and learn more about your vision correction options, please contact Empire Eye Physicians at (888) 791-3404.
More About Vision Correction at Empire Eye Physicians
The surgeons perform iLASIK at The Laser Institute of Empire Eye Physicians, a state-of-the-art facility featuring the latest and most advanced diagnostic technologies and surgical lasers for 100 percent blade-free laser vision correction.
At Empire Eye Physicians, iLASIK surgery begins with a meticulous analysis of each patient's unique refractive errors. During this step, Drs. Kontos and Sturbaum use leading-edge diagnostic equipment to obtain a three-dimensional map of the eye, which is later used to calibrate the surgical laser for individualized corneal reshaping. Next, anesthetic eye drops are administered for maximum patient comfort. A femtosecond laser is used to create the corneal flap, a thin piece of tissue that is lifted from the eye to reveal the stroma (the middle section of the cornea). The laser is considered to be safer and more precise than the handheld mechanical surgical device (microkeratome) traditionally used to create the corneal flap. iLASIK now comprises 70 percent of all LASIK procedures. Once the corneal flap is lifted from the eye, Drs. Kontos and Sturbaum use the VISX Star S4 excimer laser technology to reshape the cornea, thereby eliminating most refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. The corneal flap is then repositioned on the surface of the eye, where it naturally seals to the cornea without the need for stitches.
The goal of iLASIK surgery is to reduce or completely eliminate patients' dependence on corrective eyewear, often resulting in 20/20 vision or better. Empire Eye Physicians also offers PRK for patients who are not candidates for LASIK.
More About the Eye Surgeons of Empire Eye Physicians
Mark A. Kontos, MD, obtained his medical degree at St. Louis University, after which time he served in the U.S. Navy for more than nine years, and earned the rank of Lt. Commander. During this time, Dr. Kontos spent three years as a member of the elite Navy Fighter Weapons School "TOPGUN." Dr. Kontos completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Naval Regional Medical Center San Diego. Since leaving the U.S. Navy, Dr. Kontos has been serving eye care patients at Empire Eye Physicians.
Christopher W. Sturbaum, MD, earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas at Galveston, and a corneal fellowship at the University of Texas at Houston. Dr. Sturbaum performs a range of refractive surgery procedures as well as advanced corneal transplant surgery.