SPECIALTY

Ophthalmology (Diseases of the eye) Cataract & Lens Implant surgery/Refractive surgery Full Service Eye Care: Exam/Treatment/Laser/Surgery/Optical Board Certified American Board of Ophthalmology Fellow, American Academy of Ophthalmology

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION

Doctor Hoffer built St. Mary's Eye Center in 1985 to provide complete outpatient cataract services to his patients. He continues to perform phaco cataract surgery and uses the extremely small clear corneal incision without stitches using only an eye drop as anesthesia. This allows almost complete recovery the evening of the surgery; glasses can be prescribed at the end of the first week, and the patient may be discharged. This incision prevents the development of astigmatism that usually results from incisions of larger size. St. Mary's Eye Center has ample ground floor, easy-access parking and handicapped access. The staff of nine, including two registered nurses, see patients through examinations as well as surgical procedures and postoperative care.

MEDICAL EDUCATION

Doctor Hoffer is a graduate of SUNY Medical School in Syracuse and Wayne State University/Kresge Eye Institute Residency Program in Detroit. He has practiced ophthalmology since 1972 and has been affiliated with the Jules Stein Eye Institute/UCLA since 1974. He is Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at UCLA and Past-President of the California Association of Ophthalmology and on the Board of Trustees of the California Medical Association. In 1974 Dr. Hoffer implanted the first intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract surgery in Santa Monica, and his interest in this procedure led him to found the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, which is today second to only the American Academy of Ophthalmology in size and importance. Also that year he helped organize a course at Santa Monica Hospital that trained over 2,400 eye surgeons in lens implantation with phaco as well as IOL power calculation. Not only was he the first to perform ultrasound IOL power calculation in America, but he also produced the Hoffer Q formula which is now used around the world for such calculations.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO MEDICINE

He started the Society Journal in 1975. Dr. Hoffer invented the Hoffer Laser Ridge IOL which prevents damage to the lens during YAG laser surgery. This lens design was used by over 50% of surgeons worldwide during the 1980's. He was the fourth eye surgeon in the U.S. to perform radial keratotomy in Nov. 1979, the first in the West, and he organized the Myopia Department at Jules Stein Eye Institute. His studies led to the first paper published on this subject in the American literature.

INSURANCE PLANS

St. Mary's Eye Center accepts Medicare assignment. Blue Cross, Blue Shield and credit cards

HOSPITALS USED

Doctor Hoffer utilizes St. John's Hospital, Santa Monica/UCLA Medical Center and the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences.