Ronald N. Gaster, MD, FACS
Refractive Surgery LASIK Center
at the University of California, Irvine
Irvine:
1 Medical Plaza Dr.
Irvine, CA 92697
(800) 863-2561
Cornea Eye Institute of O.C.:
10861 Cherry St., #204
Los Alamitos, California 90720
(800) 881-6881
Orange:
101 The City Dr. South
Orange, CA 92668
(800) 863-2561
Beverly Hills:
50 N. La Cienega Blvd., #340
Beverly Hills, California 90211
(800) 772-8651
Dr. Ronald N. Gaster
LASIK in Orange County, Irvine, Costa Mesa and the surrounding area
Ronald N. Gaster, MD, FACS, is a board-certified ophthalmologist and a nationally recognized authority in the field of refractive eye surgery. Since 1996, he has been named in every edition of the Best Doctors in America — an honor bestowed on physicians whom their peers consider leaders in their respective medical fields. Dr. Gaster has also received recognitions in the Orange County Medical Association's 2011-2012 Physicians of Excellence; Top Doctors of Orange County, 2011-2012; and Los Angeles Magazine's 2008 Southern California Super Doctors.
Dr. Gaster is a fellowship-trained corneal and refractive surgeon with many years of experience. He is frequently invited to lecture nationally and internationally on the latest innovations in refractive, corneal and cataract microsurgery. He is also the author of more than 60 medical publications and is a highly recognized ophthalmology professor. Dr. Gaster won the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award in 1999, 2002 and 2008. He currently serves as a Professor of Ophthalmology at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute at the University of California, Irvine.
Due to his extensive training and experience, Dr. Gaster confidently performs an array of advanced laser eye surgery procedures, such as LASIK and bladeless LASIK. He also offers the newest treatments for keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia, including Intacs and corneal cross-linking (CXL). Dr. Gaster currently serves as the principal clinical investigator for the corneal cross-linking program of the FDA.
Dr. Gaster has been awarded with many top honors and plaques by various publications.
Bladeless LASIK and iLASIK in Orange County with Dr. Gaster
A happy patient in post-op with Dr. Gaster
Dr. Gaster performs LASIK to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In order to deliver highly rewarding vision correction results, he specializes in iLASIK, also called bladeless or all-laser LASIK eye surgery.
The iLASIK procedure includes the creation of a corneal map — a very precise 3D model of the cornea's imperfections. This map is used to program the excimer laser so that it delivers a very precise, individualized treatment. Before using the excimer laser Dr. Gaster uses the IntraLase femtosecond laser to create a thin flap in the cornea. He then lifts the flap to expose the underlying corneal tissues. Next, he uses the Allegretto wavefront-optimized excimer laser or the VISX Star S4 wavefront-guided excimer laser to carefully reshape the cornea, thereby correcting most vision flaws.
After the cornea has been reshaped, Dr. Gaster replaces the corneal flap into its original position, where it acts as a bandage for the eye for a faster and virtually pain-free recovery. Within a few days, Dr. Gaster's patients are able to enjoy excellent vision, usually 20/20 or better. The vast majority of patients do not require glasses or contact lenses after their LASIK procedures.
For those patients who do not qualify for LASIK, Dr. Gaster might be able to offer a variation of LASIK — PRK surgery. However, sometimes Dr. Gaster is unable to perform any type of laser eye surgery. This is because he will not operate on patients who would achieve less than outstanding surgical results or expose themselves to an unacceptable risk of complications.
If you would like to learn more about your vision correction options and the state-of-the-art technologies at our surgery center, please call us toll free at (800) 863-2561. You are also encouraged to use this number to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Gaster — a talented LASIK surgeon serving cataract and corneal surgery patients in Irvine, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Orange County and throughout the South Bay area.
Equipment used at Dr. Gaster's facility.
About LASIK with Dr. Gaster
Dr. Gaster is dedicated to helping all of his patients maximize their vision. This is why he personally performs all LASIK procedures and evaluations. Dr. Gaster conducts a series of meticulous tests to determine which refractive procedure is the best for each patient's vision correction needs. To promote patient safety, he does not use any mechanical blades during LASIK surgery but instead relies on a sophisticated femtosecond laser to create more accurate, even corneal flaps.
Dr. Gaster applies his extensive experience to every procedure he performs. His LASIK expertise is a result of many years' involvement in the field of laser eye surgery. Dr. Gaster served as the principal investigator of the excimer laser technology currently used during PRK and LASIK procedures. He is also a recognized lecturer who has taught numerous courses on the surgical treatment of astigmatism at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meetings for more than 20 years. In 1996, Dr. Gaster helped introduce LASIK in China, and he has since trained hundreds of ophthalmologists in the latest techniques of laser vision correction, corneal transplantation and cataract surgery.
Dr. Gaster examining a patient.
Ronald N. Gaster, MD, FACS: Professional Background
Dr. Gaster earned his undergraduate degree at Cornell University. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the UCLA School of Medicine. Dr. Gaster performed his surgical internship at the University of California, San Diego, and completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Chicago, where he was named Chief Resident. Dr. Gaster has also completed an advanced fellowship in microsurgery of the anterior segment and corneal and refractive surgery at the prestigious Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, where he was the recipient of the Heed Foundation Fellowship. Dr. Gaster furthered his refractive surgery skills by working with the father of modern refractive surgery, Dr. Jose I. Barraquer, at the Instituto Barraquer de America in Bogota, Colombia.
Dr. Gaster has received a number of awards and recognitions, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor Award and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award. He has also been recognized as a leader in LASIK surgery and small-incision cataract surgery with premium intraocular lenses, including Tecnis Multifocal, ReSTOR, Crystalens and Toric lenses. Dr. Gaster is an expert in eye diseases such as keratoconus and corneal surgeries such as corneal transplant surgery. He is currently one of the only surgeons who use the femtosecond laser as part of corneal transplant surgery. Dr. Gaster also has extensive expertise in microsurgery of the eye, and he regularly lectures on the latest advancements and leading-edge eye surgery technologies at national and international eye surgeon meetings.
While Dr. Gaster spends most of his time helping his Orange County patients improve their vision, he also finds time to participate in corneal transplant medical missions to South America, Africa and Asia. In addition, he has also performed surgeries at the flying eye hospital with Project Orbis in China.
Dr. Gaster was named one of the
top doctors of 2012.
Dr. Gaster's numerous accomplishments have allowed him to earn memberships with prestigious professional organizations. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In addition, he is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, and the California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, where he serves on the Board of Directors. Dr. Gaster is a former president of the Orange County Society of Ophthalmology and a former Acting Chair of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine.
Dr. Gaster and his team invite you to visit their state-of-the-art LASIK offices where you will be treated with the utmost respect, courtesy and attentiveness. Please call toll free at (800) 863-2561 to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Ronald Gaster.