Our Doctors

"The best part of my work is seeing patients the day after surgery who are seeing 20/20 without glasses. I'm very pleased to have assisted in developing many of the surgical techniques in use around the world today; and the future of vision correction looks even brighter". - David J. Schanzlin, M.D.

Dr. Schanzlin, recipient of the most prestigious awards in Ophthalmology, is recognized around the world as a leader and authority on refractive surgery. During his twenty-five years in this exploding field, he has helped develop many new technologies, including the FDA approved IntacsT and the excimer laser. His extensive curriculum vitae demonstrates that he and his clinical and basic research teams have been involved in all key developments that have occurred in the expanding field of refractive surgery over the last twentyfive years.

A Cleveland native, Dr. Schanzlin graduated from Case Western University in 1971. He then received his M.D. from the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago, and continued to complete his residency in ophthalmology. Dr. Schanzlin then elected to sub-specialize in Cornea and External Diseases, completing fellowships at both the University of Pittsburgh and the University of California, San Francisco. In 1996, Dr. Schanzlin was lured to Southern California with the challenge of creating an internationally recognized center of refractive surgery at Shiley Eye Center of the University of California, San Diego. Since then, Dr. Schanzlin has established Shiley Eye Center at UCSD as a leading educational resource for international ophthalmologists who come to learn the latest in research and clinical practice of refractive surgery. In addition to teaching other surgeons, Dr. Schanzlin himself has performed over 8000 LASIK procedures.

Held in high regard as an international educator, Dr. Schanzlin is a frequent lecturer throughout Europe, South America, and the Far East. In the United States, he is a highly sought after speaker for various eye society meetings. Among Dr. Schanzlin's many honors is his perpetual selection by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America and his position as the past President of the International Society of Refractive Surgery. The International Society of Refractive Surgery is comprised of the top 3500 ophthalmologists worldwide who are performing refractive surgery. He was elected by the entire membership as president of the society, and in this two-year position, he lead worldwide refractive surgery from his home base here at UCSD. Most recently he was honored by his selection as a member of the prestigious American Ophthalmological Society.
Dr. Schanzlin is one of only a handful of San Diego ophthalmologists in this exclusive society.

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A distinguished and qualified surgeon, Dr. Murphy is a warm, caring physician with over 20 years in practice. He is held in the highest regard within his field, both nationally and internationally. Dr. Murphy and his staff are committed to providing you with the best vision and finest medical care possible.

If you are one of the thousands of people considering laser vision correction (LASIK), you probably have a myriad of questions about the safety and effectiveness of this surgical procedure. The statistics from literally millions of LASIK procedures prove, without a doubt, that LASIK is safe and effective. However, the most critical choice you must make to achieve an excellent LASIK result for your vision and your lifestyle is the skill, experience, and success rate of the surgeon.

Forrest Murphy, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist with over seventeen years refractive surgery experience. He is certified on all of the current excimer lasers, and has performed thousands of refractive procedures with experience predating the excimer laser's approval for LASIK by the FDA in 1996. Dr. Murphy pioneered the use of clear corneal topical anesthesia for cataract surgery.

Dr. Murphy is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (by appointment) and from the University of Kansas Medical Center. He served his Internship at the Scottsdale Memorial Hospital and his Residency in Ophthalmology at Kansas City University. He continues to update and broaden his education through Continuing Medical Education courses. As Chief of Ophthalmology at Scripps La Jolla and a clinical instructor for University of California at San Diego, Dr. Murphy teaches the LASIK procedure to ophthalmic surgeons locally, nationally, and internationally. He is a published author in such respected journals as Ophthalmology Times, Eye World, and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Murphy is personally endorsed by publicly known figures such as NBC 7/39 Reporter Artie Ojeda and Meteorologist Joe Lizura, KYXY Radio Host Kevin Dean, and Rock 105 DJ Shannon Leder. Known for his personalized care, availability to his patients and phenomenal results, the time, attention and care Dr. Murphy takes with each of his patients is unsurpassed in the LASIK field. You too can join the thousands of San Diegans Dr. Murphy has given a new "outlook" on life with Laser Vision Correction.

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Dr. Tanzer began his training nearby at the University of California at Santa Barbara, receiving bachelors degrees in both Pharmacology and Biopsychology. From this beginning, Dr. Tanzer went on to medical school at Georgetown University and then completed his internship and residency at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, as well as a fellowship in cornea transplant and refractive surgery at the University of Southern California's Dohney Eye Institute. Board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology in 1998, Dr. Tanzer also completed Naval Flight Surgeon Training and was with the Marine Corps Air Station in El Toro, California.

Actively involved in Ophthalmology, Dr. Tanzer holds active membership in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology, the Society of United States Naval Flight Surgeons, as well as other local and state medical societies. He is also on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Eye Bank. Additionally, Dr. Tanzer is currently a staff physician at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego and is pleased to have joined TLC Laser Eye Centers to provide his patients with the latest advancements in laser vision correction.

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Dr. Owen is currently the Director of Professional Development for TLC Vision, Inc. and the Clinical Director for TLC La Jolla. He also serves on TLC's Clinical Director Advisory Group.

Prior to his association with TLC, Dr. Owen spent 10 years in private practice. This included providing primary eye care in a large multi-doctor ophthalmology practice. Dr. Owen is a graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry and has a Masters in Business Administration from San Diego State University.

Developing and maintaining a network of affiliated optometrists in the community who provide pre-operative and post-operative care to patients undergoing laser vision correction is a commitment of Dr. Owen's.

Dr. Owen is a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and the International Society of Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Owen has experience with four different excimer lasers and three different wavefront analyzers. The La Jolla Center was the first laser center in California to use the Tracy Wavefront Analyzer. Dr. Owen lectures often on laser vision corrections, glaucoma and other eye conditions.

The doctor also enjoys many outside interests including golf and endurance sports. Dr. Owen has competed in three Ironman triathlons. He is married with three children, Davis, Rylee and Noah.

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Steven G. Peterson, O.D. is the Clinical Director for TLC La Jolla. He is a native Californian who graduated from Southern California College of Optometry and has been a private practice Optometrist in San Diego for the past 20 years. Dr. Peterson provides comprehensive eye exams, and has been co-managing laser refractive surgery patients since 1996. He has been a Clinical Director at San Diego area laser centers for the past 6 years. He specializes in contact lenses, including keratoconus, post surgical patients, and overnight myopia correction. Numerous satisfied patients refer their friends and family to Dr. Peterson for his experience and friendly, caring demeanor.

Dr. Peterson is dedicated to his patient’s achievement of the best vision possible. He is committed to developing and maintaining a network of affiliated optometrists who provide pre and post-operative care to patients’ undergoing refractive surgery. Dr. Peterson works closely with these optometrists to assist them in providing the best patient care possible.

When Dr. Peterson is not seeing patients, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. His hobbies include playing golf, music, and collecting baseball memorabilia.

Dr. Wong began practicing optometry in 1991. His current areas of emphasis include refractive surgery consultation and surgical co-management, and specialty contact lenses. Dr. Wong’s knowledge and experience in ophthalmic optics has continually helped patients obtain their best corrected vision.

Born in Hollywood and raised in Huntington Beach, Dr. Wong did his undergraduate work at the University of California at San Diego, Revelle College. He traveled to Texas to attend the University of Houston College of Optometry where he later served as both the Chief Resident at the University Eye Institute as well as part-time academic and clinical faculty.

Dr. Wong currently serves as Co-Clinical Director of TLC La Jolla where he is responsible for the proper selection of candidates for laser eye surgery, planning treatment plans with the surgeon, as well as coordinating the pre- and post-operative care of the optometric affiliate network.

Dr. Wong also serves as an expert examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, is a Clinical Preceptor for the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and the University of Houston College of Optometry.

In his spare time, Dr. Wong enjoys all sports, but particularly basketball, tennis, rock climbing, mountain biking, skiing, and snow boarding. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the La Jolla Tennis Club.