Page 12 - Outstanding Women Friendly Physicians (2)

Dr. Angela Nahl

Innovative LASIK Surgeon

A career in the field of ophthalmology wasn’t
always on the horizon for Angela Nahl. “I had
recently graduated from Harvard University
and was pursuing a career in financial services
when I experienced some issues with my vi-
sion,” said, Dr. Angela Nahl, Ophthalmologist
and founder of La Jolla LASIK. An optometrist
prescribed contact lenses for Nahl, but she
found them extremely uncomfortable. “They
were so irritating…I wanted to scratch my eyes
out.”
Nahl decided to get a second opinion and
sought out one of New York’s most prestigious
optometrists. “When I arrived at the second
optometrist’s office, I was very impressed. I
found the professionalism of the staff, the
doctor’s knowledge and kindness, even the
décor of the office itself to be very inspiring.”
Nahl said. She continued, “I liked the idea
of interacting with different people on a daily
basis and helping them with something as
vital as their sight. After taking some time to
research careers in optometry and ophthalmol-
12 ogy, and to talk with my optometrist more about
his practice, I thought to myself, this is for me!
And made a change in my career path.”
Dr. Nahl is being featured in this month’s edi-
tion of San Diego Woman (not only) for her ex-
cellent work as an ophthalmologist and founder
of The La Jolla LASIK Institute, but for her work
within the community. After learning of pending
budget cuts, Dr. Nahl pledged to raise over
$500,000 for San Diego schools by 2014 in residency, Nahl exhibited a highly desirable trait in the medical
order to support their full day kindergarten program and other world - - great manual dexterity. “Ever since I was a child, I was the
school programs. Dr. Nahl said, “I am so grateful for my education. ’go-to’ person in the house if someone needed a needle threaded,
I wanted to help give the same opportunities to children today.” Dr. or a splinter taken out,” Nahl said. “I was able to do these things
Nahl and her team also volunteer their time to meet with elementary easily and gently. I didn’t realize until medical school what a gift this
students and teach them about the eye and the field of ophthalmol- was for me to have. Because of this gift, I was often rewarded with
ogy. more cases than your average resident and even more than some
As an accomplished LASIK surgeon, Dr. Nahl is often asked what of the fellows.”
factors should be considered when choosing a LASIK provider. After she finished her schooling, Dr. Nahl was given the opportu-
She invariably replies, “A doctor’s experience and skill is probably nity to train the next generation of eye surgeons at UCSF medical
the most important factor, as they are assets that cannot be re- school. “I loved being able to give back to the medical community
placed or substituted. Following that, I would say that the provider’s by passing on things that I had learned in the field of ophthalmol-
standard of care is very important…how they care for their patients, ogy. It was also at this time I trained under the supervision of Dr.
how they run their business…how they sweat the details. Lastly, I Edward Manche, Director of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the
would have to say that the technology used during the LASIK pro- Stanford Eye Laser Center and Professor of Ophthalmology in the
cedure can make a big difference in the outcome.” Stanford University School of Medicine.” Dr. Manche is a world
renowned expert in laser and surgical techniques for vision correc-
Dr. Nahl’s Experience tion, and has personally performed over 28,000 laser vision correc-
Dr. Nahl earned her medical degree at the University Of Chicago tion procedures.
Pritzker School Of Medicine. As a medical student, she spent an In 2000, Dr. Nahl re-located to San Diego to work with Dr. Glenn
extra year pursuing her interests in ophthalmology by doing re- Kawesch. “While I was there,” said Dr. Nahl, “I was averaging
search in the development of color vision. Her research team was over a hundred cases a month and achieving good outcomes for
the first to discover significant changes to night vision in laboratory my patients, but at the same time I felt a growing voice within me,
mice. She also completed her residency at the prestigious Doheny encouraging me to strike out on my own.”
Eye Institute of the University of Southern California. During her