Dr. Flowers

Dr. Flowers has over 16 years of experience performing LASIK eye surgery and is a nationally recognized leader in the field. He is committed to providing the highest quality and the most advanced visual corrective procedures to his patients. He is regarded by both his patients and his peers for his surgical skills and for the warm and caring way in which he relates to his patients.

Dr. Charles Flowers’ involvement in the field of Laser Vision Correction began in 1993, when he was awarded a highly coveted fellowship at the Doheny Eye Institute of the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. During his fellowship, Dr. Flowers distinguished himself in the field of Laser Vision Correction by conducting basic research in the field and authoring several book chapters and articles on the subject.

Upon completion of his fellowship in 1995, Dr. Flowers joined the faculty at the UCLA School of Medicine’s Jules Stein Eye Institute and the Charles R. Drew University School of Medicine’s Department of Ophthalmology.

During his time in academia, Dr. Flowers divided his time between teaching, research, and clinical practice. As a result of his relentless pursuit of excellence in his academic and clinical endeavors, Dr. Flowers has received numerous scholarly and clinical awards, secured over one million dollars in research grant funding, and rose to the level of Associate Professor.

In 2003, Dr. Flowers relocated to San Diego to pursue his passion for Laser Vision Correction on a full-time basis and has been honored repeatedly including being recognized as one of the nation’s top laser eye surgeons by the Consumers’ Research Council of America, and as one of San Diego’s top LASIK surgeons by San Diego Magazine.

Moreover, he has worked as a medical consultant for the FOX 6 XETV Morning Show, where Dr. Flowers has been interviewed numerous times for his expertise in the field of LASIK and Laser Vision Correction. He is a graduate of Stanford University and the Cornell University School of Medicine and is a National Medical Fellowships Scholar.

He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

In addition to performing over 30,000 Laser Vision Correction (LASIK) Surgeries, Dr. Flowers has over 20 years of experience in general eye surgery and has expertise in several other visual restorative procedures, which include cataract surgery, Visian Implantable Collamer Lens implantation, corneal transplantation, pterygium surgery, and Intacs implantation for keratoconus. Dr. Flowers has been visiting Guam to provide corneal sub-specialty services since 2010.

Professional Credentials

EDUCATION:
1985-1989 Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York; M.D. Degree
1981-1985 Stanford University, Stanford California, B.S. Degree, Chemistry

HONORS:
National Medical Fellowship Scholar
Recipient of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Merit Award

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
1993-1995 Fellowship – Corneal and Refractive Surgery & External Disease, Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA
1992-1993 Chief Resident, Ophthalmology, Charles Drew University of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
1990-1993 Ophthalmology Residency, Charles Drew University of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
1989-1990 Internship – General Surgery, Charles Drew University of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS / AFFILIATIONS:
Board Certified – National Board of Medical Examiners
Board Certified – American Board of Ophthalmology
Fellow – American College of Surgeons
Fellow – American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

ACADEMIC AND HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS:
Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, 2002
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 2002
Director, Refractive Surgery, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Charles Drew University of Medicine, 2002
Director, Urban Telemedicine Resource Center, Charles Drew University of Medicine, 2002
Director, Surgical Services, Dept. of Ophthalmology, Charles Drew University of Medicine, 2002
Adhoc Reviewer, Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 1996
Adhoc Reviewer, American Journal of Ophthalmology, 1998

HONORS:
America’s Top Ophthalmologists, Consumers’ Research Council of America, 2002-San Diego Laser Eye Surgeon
San Diego’s Top Doctors, San Diego Magazine, 2004 – San Diego LASIK Surgeon
Intern of the Year, Department of Surgery, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 1990
Outstanding Scientific Poster Presentation Award, National Medical Association, 1992
National Eye Institute Travel Fellowship, Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, 1994
Award of Excellence in Resident Training, Doheny Eye Institute, USC School of Medicine, 1995
1998 Innovator’s Award, Health Data Management Magazine, 1998
Computer-World Smithsonian Laureate, Smithsonian Institute Permanent Research Collection, 1998
Teleconferencing Excellence Award, International Teleconferencing Association, 1999
RCMI Research Award of Excellence, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine, 2000

INVESTIGATIONAL STUDIES:
Principal Investigator, Evaluation of Intraocular Lens Power Calculations in the Corneal Triple Procedure, 1994
Principal Investigator, Evaluation of Decentration & Defocusing on the Accuracy of Corneal Topography Systems, 1995
Co-Principal Investigator, Effects of Topical Medications of Epithelial Healing Following Excimer Laser PRK, 1995
Principal Investigator, Urban Telemedicine Demonstration Project, 1996
Principal Investigator, The Utility of Telemedicine for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in the Inner City, 1999
Principal Investigator, Los Angeles Urban Telemedicine Network Project, 2000

LASIK OR RELATED REFRACTIVE PUBLICATIONS (Dr. Flowers as Author):
“Mechanical Methods in Refractive Corneal (LASIK) Surgery” Curr Opin Ophthalmology 1994; 6:81-89
“Radial Keratotomy,” Chapter in Laser (LASIK) and Conventional Refractive Surgery, BMJ Publishing, 1996; 210-268
“Computer-Assisted Analysis of Corneal Topography,” in Laser (LASIK) & Conventional Refractive Surgery, BMJ, 1996; 89-127
“Clinical Results of Excimer (LASIK) Laser PRK for Myopia,” Book Chapter in Refractive Surgery, Appleton Lange, 1997: 441-53
“Excimer (LASIK) Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy,” Article in Ophthalmology Clinics of North America, W.B. Saunders, 2001; 1-8