Our Doctors

Training
Dr. Wexler graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1982. Following an internship at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Dr. Wexler completed his residency training in ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he served as Chief Resident of Ophthalmology in 1985.

LASIK Experience
Dr. Wexler has been performing refractive surgery since 1991. He is one of the most experienced surgeons in the Midwest, having performed more than 18,000 LASIK procedures. He is also certified by VISX® to train and credential surgeons nationwide in the use of the excimer laser.

Memberships
Dr. Wexler is an Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Washington University School of
Medicine where his responsibilities include teaching LASIK surgery to ophthalmology residents and cornea fellows. Dr. Wexler is past-president of the Missouri Ophthalmological Society. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Awards
In 1996, Dr. Wexler was named “Teacher of the Year” by the residents of the Department of
Ophthalmology at Washington University School of Medicine. In 2002, he earned recognition as one of the top five LaserVision® surgeons in the United States (LaserVision is a division of TLC Vision Corporation).

Accomplishments
Dr. Wexler’s original research on refractive surgery has been selected for publication in ophthalmology journals and he has presented papers on LASIK at national Ophthalmology meetings. He is a member of the TLC Clinical Advisory Board where he assists surgeons from around the country. Dr. Wexler has received national recognition and is frequently sought after by medical professionals for their own vision correction and that of their families.

Downloadable Doctors Bio

Training
Dr. Wickham graduated with honors in 1993 from the University of Missouri College of Optometry. His internships focused in the areas of pathology, contact lenses, binocular vision and primary comprehensive care.

LASIK Experience
Dr. Wickham has been with TLC Laser Eye Centers for seven years. He is currently the Executive Director of the TLC St. Louis Center. Dr. Wickham works with Dr. Stephen Wexler in the pre- and post-operative care of refractive surgery patients. In addition, he is responsible for communicating with the center’s over 200 referring affiliate eye doctors throughout Missouri and Illinois. Dr. Wickham is involved in teaching refractive surgery at the University of Missouri College of Optometry.

Memberships
Dr. Wickham is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Missouri Optometric Association.

Downloadable Doctors Bio

Training
Dr. Polk is originally from the St. Louis area. He received his bachelor’s degree at Missouri State University. He graduated with honors from the University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry in 1994.

LASIK Experience
Dr. Polk’s interest in refractive surgery led him to TLCVision in the year 2000. At the St. Louis Center, he is responsible for the clinical care of patients before and after surgery. He has assisted in the evaluation and care of over 15,000 LASIK cases working with Dr. Stephen Wexler at the St. Louis Center.

Memberships / Accomplishments
Dr. Polk is a member of the Missouri Optometric Association, the St. Louis Optometric Society, the Optometric Council of Refractive Technology and the American Academy of Optometry. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at UM – St. Louis College of Optometry where he teaches the students about Ophthalmic lasers. Working with Dr. Wexler, he has participated in clinical studies involving refractive surgery.

Downloadable Doctors Bio

Training
Dr. Josia Leipholtz graduated with honors from Central Methodist University in 1998 with a bachelor degree in biology and in German. She graduated from the University of Missouri College of Optometry in 2002. During her clinical training, she specialized in ocular disease, primary care, and low vision.

LASIK Experience
After graduation, Dr. Leipholtz joined a private primary care practice in the St. Louis area. During her four years in primary care, she enjoyed working closely with LASIK patients as a TLC affiliate doctor. In 2006 she joined TLC as a full-time optometrist.

Memberships
Dr. Leipholtz is a member of the American Optometric Society, the Missouri Optometric Society and the St. Louis Optometric Society.

Downloadable Doctors Bio

The Team is comprised of the most experienced technicians in the metropolitan area and surrounding region. They have assisted in over 30,000 LASIK surgeries and participated in early clinical trials during the development of the LASIK procedure. They have assisted in the training of more than one hundred surgeons in the practical aspects of the surgical procedure and continue to upgrade their skills as the technology develops.