D. Rex Hamilton, MD, is known throughout the United States and internationally as a leader in laser vision correction and premium cataract surgery. As noted below, he pioneered many new surgical techniques during his 15 years as Professor and Director of the UCLA Laser Refractive Center at the Stein Eye Institute in Los Angeles.
Dr. Hamilton was valedictorian of his high school class. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Dartmouth College with an undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics, Dr. Hamilton earned a Master of Science degree in biomedical engineering at the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia. After working for several years in marketing and product planning for MRI systems at Siemens Medical Systems, Dr. Hamilton decided to pursue a career in medicine. He continued his education at the University of California, Irvine, where he earned a Doctor of Medicine degree and received numerous academic awards and scholarships, culminating in his graduating at the top of his class. He began performing cataract, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgery during his residency training at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute. (read more below)
Meet
Dr. Rex Hamilton, M.D.
D. Rex Hamilton, MD, is known throughout the United States and internationally as a leader in laser vision correction and premium cataract surgery. As noted below, he pioneered many new surgical techniques during his 15 years as Professor and Director of the UCLA Laser Refractive Center at the Stein Eye Institute in Los Angeles.
Dr. Hamilton was valedictorian of his high school class. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Dartmouth College with an undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics, Dr. Hamilton earned a Master of Science degree in biomedical engineering at the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia. After working for several years in marketing and product planning for MRI systems at Siemens Medical Systems, Dr. Hamilton decided to pursue a career in medicine. He continued his education at the University of California, Irvine, where he earned a Doctor of Medicine degree and received numerous academic awards and scholarships, culminating in his graduating at the top of his class. He began performing cataract, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgery during his residency training at the UCLA Stein Eye Institute. (read more below)
Achievements
- Board Certified Ophthalmologist
- Fellowship “Specialty” Trained in Cornea/Refractive Surgery
- Specializes in Premium Cataract Surgery and Refractive Surgery
- Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
- Has performed over 12,000 cataract and refractive surgery procedures
- Served as Clinical Professor and Director, UCLA Laser Refractive Center, Stein Eye Institute for 15 years (2003 – 2018)
- Performed First SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction: “Flapless LASIK”) Refractive Surgery procedure on the West Coast (March 2017)
- Performed First Extended Depth of Focus (“Symfony”) Lens Implantation for Cataract Surgery in Los Angeles (August 2016)
- First surgeon at UCLA Stein Eye Institute to utilize Intraoperative Aberrometry (ORA) for Cataract Surgery (2012)
- First surgeon at UCLA Stein Eye Institute to perform Laser Cataract Surgery (2010)
- First surgeon at UCLA Stein Eye Institute to implant an Accommodative Intraocular Lens (“Crystalens”) for Cataract Surgery (2004)
- First surgeon at UCLA Stein Eye Institute to perform Custom Wavefront Guided LASIK (2003)
- Authored more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles and book chapters
- Delivered more than 50 presentations at national and international scientific meetings
- Delivered more than 200 scientific lectures in the United States and around the world
- Voted one of 300 Premier Refractive Cataract Surgeons in US, Ocular Surgery News (2016)
- Member of Refractive Cataract Surgery Clinical Committee for American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) since 2012
Education
- Bachelor of Arts: Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, Physics and Mathematics (Double Major)
- Master of Science: University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Doctorate: The University of California, Irvine College of Medicine
- Medical Internship: Huntington Memorial Hospital, Pasadena, California
- Ophthalmology Residency: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Department of Ophthalmology, Stein Eye Institute
- Ophthalmology Fellowship: Minnesota Eye Consultants, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cornea-External Ocular Disease, Refractive Surgery, Glaucoma
Memberships
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American College of Surgeons
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- International Society of Refractive Surgery
- American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgeons
- California Medical Association
More
Following the completion of his residency, Dr. Hamilton spent an additional year of training as a fellow in refractive, cornea, anterior segment, cataract and glaucoma surgery at Minnesota Eye Consultants under the directorship of Dr. Richard Lindstrom, uniformly recognized as one of the founding fathers of modern cataract and refractive surgery. He then returned to the Stein Eye Institute, where he became the Medical Director of the UCLA Laser Refractive Center. During his 15 years on the faculty at the Stein Eye Institute, Dr. Hamilton trained over 100 residents and fellows from the United States and countries throughout the world on the art and science of premium cataract and refractive surgery.
With his highly technical background, Dr. Hamilton is a true physician-scientist. During his many years conducting clinical research, Dr. Hamilton has become well known in the academic community for his expertise in the areas of premium intraocular lenses (toric, multifocal and extended depth of focus) for cataract surgery, corneal biomechanics, and corneal imaging. He has authored 40 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters, given more than 50 scientific presentations at national meetings and has delivered more than 150 invited lectures across the country and internationally. He has served on the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Preferred Practice Pattern Committee for Refractive Surgery, a publication that sets the standard of care for refractive surgery in the United States. He currently serves on the Refractive/Cataract Clinical Subcommittee for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Since 2013, Dr. Hamilton and his colleagues on the Committee have published four articles teaching the finer points of new and emerging technologies for cataract and refractive surgery.
Dr. Hamilton looks forward to meeting you, evaluating your eye health and discussing a customized treatment plan that will offer you the best chance of meeting your individual visual needs.
5.0 101 reviews
- Patrick Ken O. I completed the SMILE procedure with Dr.Hamilton and I’m very happy with the results!After having an unsatisfactory experience at UCLA Stein Eye Institute, I found Dr.Hamilton on google … More in my area as I wanted to get a second opinion to my possible options.Him and his team answered all my questions and specific concerns from start to finish.I appreciate the team’s empathic understanding to my situation and Dr.Hamilton’s expertise. He analyzed my results from UCLA compared to his own eye tests and showed me the up-to-date medical knowledge/data on what would be the best action to take.After thorough examination and explanation,I decided to proceed with the surgery. The surgery itself was quite fast and I was able to go home same-day. My vision is now 20/20 both eyes as of the post-op exam today.I highly recommend Dr.Hamilton for everyone seeking help with their vision correction or needing second opinion★★★★★ a month ago
- Roy Akarakian SMILE surgery was amazing. Quick and easy procedure. Much faster recovery than I was expecting.The day after the procedure I had perfect vision already.Recovery: I would only get very … More minimal dryness at the end of a long day that improved with eye drops and resolved over the course of a few weeks. Not terrible at all!Telling all my friends to get this done with Dr. Hamilton. He’s the best.★★★★★ a month ago
- Kirk Wilson My journey, as well as that of an old college buddy of mine, to successfully solve cataract issues in both pairs of eyes may be best summarized by borrowing a phrase from the Charles … More Dickens 1859 Novel, - A Tale of Two Cities -"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."Indeed, my friend and I each found doctors to perform the necessary surgeries around the same time and began our procedures within a couple of weeks of one another.I was fortunate to discover Dr. Rex Hamilton and his very competent team of professionals to perform the necessary testing and subsequent surgeries on my eyes.My friend, on the other hand, found a Medicare surgeon and had to visit more than one location to find all the people required to determine his needs. After setting up his first surgery he boasted about his out-of-pocket expenses only costing $1,000.Fast forwarding to the results after my surgeries, the vision in both eyes was exceptional. Cataract issues were completely gone. In fact, in one eye I measured 20-10 and could read the smallest paragraph on a handheld chart which I was not supposed to be able to read at all. I was half-jokingly told that I was Jet Fighter Pilot level. The other eye was also cataract free, and all related issues were gone. I suspect that if someone had gone in the neighboring room, and held up a random number of fingers, that I could have seen through the wall to correctly read that as well.My college friend did each of his eyes months apart. After the first surgery, the cataracts seemed to have gone away, but he had trouble driving because he now had double vision. The doctor's response, "It will go away with time."I advised my friend to go to Dr. Hamilton and not take a chance on his second eye.My advice was ignored. I had certainly forgotten the small cost and that the double vision would go away!He later had the second Medicare surgery, and the cataract symptoms did go away. But then he had worse double vision and dared not drive at night. And of course he was told again, "The double vision will go away". To him, the double vision was a matter of the brain getting used to the new eye mechanics.After more than 6 months he clings to the hope that the problems will go away. And secretly he probably wishes he had taken my advice.So as Charles Dickens might have written in a sequel:- A tale of two pairs of cataract surgeries -"It was the best of eye doctors, it was the worst of eye doctors."As for me, in a postscript:After investigating, I was told by the Air Force that, although my vision is indeed exceptional, I am regrettably too old to join the ranks of Jet Fighter Pilots. But I have recently learned that there is an Historical Fountain of Youth in Florida. I am planning on finding it and drinking its waters. I will then return to the Air Force for another evaluation since I have already satisfied the first Jet Fighter Pilot prerequisite.Kirk Z. WilsonAn extremely grateful patient of Dr. Rex Hamilton★★★★★ a week ago
- Shizhuo Zhu Dr. Hamilton is amazing! I have been considering about getting rid of my glasses for years. It’s a really big decision and I have been to several clinics. I believe I had the best experience … More at Hamilton Eye Institute. Dr. Hamilton and his staff are so professional and considerate which made me decided to have my procedure with them! I got 20/20 vision the first day after my SMILE surgery. Highly recommend :)★★★★★ 2 months ago
- liza mier Dr. Hamilton was great from the start! He explained everything from the procedure that I was a candidate for, LASIK, and how the procedure is. He made sure to answer all of my questions … More and assured me everything would be great. The day of the surgery everyone was very kind and helpful. I was nervous at first, but his direction during the procedure was extremely helpful and so quick and easy. Dr. Hamilton & his team made sure I was aware of the next steps and very kind. I cannot thank him & his team for his professionalism, attention to detail, & their kindness. I recommend him 100% to anyone looking to get this procedure done★★★★★ a month ago
- Patrick O. I completed the SMILE procedure with Dr.Hamilton and I’m very happy with the results!After having an unsatisfactory experience at UCLA Stein Eye Institute, I found Dr.Hamilton on google … More in my area as I wanted to get a second opinion to my possible options.Him and his team answered all my questions and specific concerns from start to finish.I appreciate the team’s empathic understanding to my situation and Dr.Hamilton’s expertise. He analyzed my results from UCLA compared to his own eye tests and showed me the up-to-date medical knowledge/data on what would be the best action to take.After thorough examination and explanation,I decided to proceed with the surgery. The surgery itself was quite fast and I was able to go home same-day. My vision is now 20/20 both eyes as of the post-op exam today.I highly recommend Dr.Hamilton for everyone seeking help with their vision correction or needing second opinion★★★★★ a month ago
- Liza Doctor Hamilton and his team were amazing from beginning to end. I received a Reflective Lens Exchange (RLE) due to not being able to see close up. I could get by with reading glasses, … More but they were not comfortable while I'm at work as a hair stylist. Doctor Hamilton has corrected my vision to be nearly 20/20. I am now able to read and work without glasses and can still see far away distances perfectly when driving. He answered any and all questions I had, and made sure I knew exactly what was going to happen and what results to expect. He was highly recommended to me by several acquaintances , and he exceeded my expectations!★★★★★ 3 weeks ago
- Eric Tan Regardless of professional ability or attitude, Dr. Hamilton is the best doctor.My mother and I both discovered cataracts during our recent eye exams, and as diabetics, we are very … More concerned about future risks. Therefore, we did some research to find a good doctor. Fortunately, we found Dr. Hamilton, who devised a great plan for us. My vision for both distance and reading improved to 20/20 the day after the surgery, far exceeding my expectations. My mother's vision improved a bit less, but it's also getting better.Many thanks to Dr. Hamilton, Jasmine, and the other staff at the clinic. Eyes are so important to us, and they helped a lot.★★★★★ 4 months ago
- Tom Rabin Rex Hamilton and his dedicated staff provided an outstanding experience for my Lasik procedure. From the initial consultation to the surgery itself, their professionalism and expertise … More were evident. The entire process was smooth, and they made me feel comfortable and informed every step of the way. The results are nothing short of amazing, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Five stars for Rex Hamilton and his exceptional team!★★★★★ a month ago
- Ketty Wang As a healthcare provider, I hesitate to leave reviews for medical practices but I feel compelled by the excellent care I am receiving from Dr. Hamilton and his team to share why you … More should see Dr. Hamilton for eye surgery. I work 12+ hours rotating shifts and my eyes are sensitive and susceptible to seasonal change and dry weather. Prior to surgery, I was constantly using lubricant eye drops at work and purposefully not wearing contact lens on my days off to rest my sore eyes. Today, I am nearly 3 months post-op from SMILE surgery and my quality of life has improved for the better.While I was a candidate for Lasik, I was also a candidate for SMILE and after having several consultations with eye surgeons in the LA area, I was comfortable having Dr. Hamilton perform my surgery. Simply put, Dr. Hamilton is a wizard. He is not only highly skilled, he understands how to operate the VisuMax femtosecond laser well and recognizes the different progression of recovery each patient has. Dr. Hamilton is also very kind, easy to talk to, and I knew I was in capable hands.I had a longer course of recovery, as I am dealing with dry eye syndrome (another reason why I opted for SMILE and not LASIK), and my vision is still improving. My right eye recovered much quicker than my left. This obviously made me worry even though Dr. Hamilton reassured me that my left eye would eventually catch up. He saw me right away on week 3 and week 4 when I noticed this discrepancy and he did not hesitate to professionally address my concerns - he assessed my eyes, performed corneal topography scans, went over the results in detail with me, and inserted plugs in my eyes. The halos were initially pronounced and then drastically faded over about 30 days - a month and a half later, they are absolutely minimal, especially since he started me on Cequa to help inflammation in my eyes. So far I am very happy with the results and the close communication that I have with him and his team, even though recovery took a bit longer than expected.I also want to thank his generous staff, Mayra and Jasmine. They are exceptionally friendly and accommodating, making me feel comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. I never felt rushed. They patiently answered all of my questions and addressed any concerns I had, which greatly eased any pre-surgery anxiety. Mayra was present with me through the day of surgery. She has a wealth of experience caring for surgical patients and she treated me like family.I can't thank the entire team at Hamilton Eye enough for their exceptional care and for giving me the gift of improved vision. I highly recommend Dr. Hamilton to anyone considering SMILE or any vision correction procedures.★★★★★ a month ago
- B J Dr. Hamilton is Outstanding! Very professional knowledgeable thoroughly explains every step of any procedure every time you visit him. My husband is a primary care physician and we … More send patients to Dr. Hamilton all the time. Again he is Amazing. We both had cataract surgery with him and continue to go to him for all follow up care.★★★★★ a month ago
- Richard Katkov My patient experience with Dr. Hamilton was exemplary from start to finish. Any procedure or surgery involving the eyes is inherently anxiety producing. It is for me. Upon meeting Dr. … More Hamilton and his incredibly attentive and thorough staff, I was put at ease immediately. Dr. Hamilton walked me through the options that follow the cataract removal. Every suggestion was exactly correct for my case. It is also worth noting that the nursing staff at the surgery center is also attentive and solicitous. The follow up by Dr. Hamilton has been great.Thank you, Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 5 months ago
- Natalie Haschek Dr. Hamilton is the best! Very experienced surgeon who makes a rather stressful process super smooth and comfortable. Not only is he very knowledgeable about the LASIK/SMILE surgery … More options but he is also a very kind person who made me feel at ease throughout my consult, preop and operation. He and his staff were also very clear about setting expectations for how my eyes would feel and what my vision would be like immediately after and the days following the surgery. Because of the difference in downtime I opted for the SMILE operation and couldn’t be happier with my results. If I had to do it all again I would absolutely go with Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 2 months ago
- E M I’ve waited so long to do laser vision correction, just kept making excuses. Then the whole surgery took 8 min for both eyes. My only regret is not doing it sooner. Dr. Hamilton was … More so awesome from start to finish. During the consultation he will walk you through all the different vision correction options to ensure the best option for you. For me SMILE was a perfect fit. Day of the operation you’re literally in and out within an hour. Thanks for the 20/20 vision Dr. Hamilton!★★★★★ a year ago
- Jamie Adler I am ecstatic over the results from my surgery and recommended Dr Hamilton a million percent to anyone needing corrective surgery! The entire team was kind professional and guided me … More through each and every step. The whole process was easy and my new lens implants allow me to see perfectly both near and far for the first time in many years.★★★★★ 4 months ago
- MG Lauron What do you get when you cross the brilliance of Tony Stark, the human skills of a peace negotiator, and the precision of a Swiss watchmaker? Dr. Rex Hamilton.No, the above is not a … More joke. I researched eye surgeons across the US. I settled upon Dr. Hamilton's office based on his education, his prior results, his excellent staff, and his low-key style. He let's his prior customers do the talking and not his relationship with the Kardashians or whoever.I am a year out from my surgery and I have zero complaints. Only excellence. Several people have complimented me on my excellent eyesight. No, I didn't give Dr. Hamilton any credit because, well, ego (mine).Is my vision absolutely perfect? No but the very modest limitations are strictly in line (and less) with what Dr. Hamilton and his staff informed me well in advance of me making the decision to proceed.If I had to make this decision again, what would I do it? I absolutely would proceed and definitely with Dr. Hamilton's office.★★★★★ 5 months ago
- Jaron McDonnel I had LASIK 10+ years ago and went to Dr. Hamilton to see what I could do to recurrent my vision. Dr. Hamilton performed a refractive lens exchange surgery on both eyes separately. … More The post op period was relatively easy. And my vision in my right eye is better than it ever was, even after LASIK. Highly recommend his office and staff.★★★★★ 4 months ago
- Antiochus I know Dr. Hamilton and have been his patient since 2008 when he performed laser eye surgery on me. My vision reached 20/20 in both eyes even though my case was a difficult one and … More other ophthalmologists had told me that I might never reach 20/20 vision. Dr. Hamilton handled my case with great care and precision and I achieved 20/20 vision in both eyes without glasses/contacts. I am very happy that I made a good decision by choosing Dr. Hamilton as my LASIK surgeon. I have not been wearing glasses/contacts since 2008. Thanks for everything you have done for me Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 9 months ago
- Olivia I didn't get my SMILE here, but my free consultation experience with Dr. Hamilton and his office staff was so amazing that I have second thoughts as to if my SMILE experience would … More have been better here! Dr. Hamilton appreciates your time even for free consultation unlike many places and meticulous when it comes to his results (your vision!). Felt like I would be in good hands and personalized care.Couple reasons I didn't get it here is very personal and minor that I recommend this office to anyone interested! The office was very far for me and the parking was of charge and I knew I would need many follow up visits due to my eye complications. I ended up getting it at a big office with many doctors and followup visits were so exhausting and time consuming.★★★★★ 7 months ago
- Gayane Kirakosyan I express deep gratitude to Dr. Hamilton and his entire team for the successful surgical intervention that significantly improved my vision. Your high level of professionalism and coordinated … More work are greatly appreciated. Best of luck to you in your challenging yet very important work.★★★★★ 7 months ago
- Vivan Tran I had PRK with Dr. Hamilton 5 years ago when he was at UCLA and am still happy with the result. I was -7 in both eyes before surgery and today still see 20/20 in both eyes. My only … More problem is continued dry eyes, which I manage with lubricant gel at night. I was informed of this risk before surgery. Despite the dry eyes, I have no regrets since my quality of life is much better not having to wear glasses/contacts. If I needed eye surgery again, I would return to Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 11 months ago
- Olivia Yoon I didn't get my SMILE here, but my free consultation experience with Dr. Hamilton and his office staff was so amazing that I have second thoughts as to if my SMILE experience would … More have been better here! Dr. Hamilton appreciates your time even for free consultation unlike many places and meticulous when it comes to his results (your vision!). Felt like I would be in good hands and personalized care.Couple reasons I didn't get it here is very personal and minor that I recommend this office to anyone interested! The office was very far for me and the parking was of charge and I knew I would need many follow up visits due to my eye complications. I ended up getting it at a big office with many doctors and followup visits were so exhausting and time consuming.★★★★★ 7 months ago
- ben Came in to look into laser surgery for my severe near sightedness. I was "legally blind" meaning I really could not do or see anything without strong corrective glasses or … More contact lenses and I've been that way since 4th grade. After 30 odd years, I'd had enough.★★★★★ a year ago
I went to Dr. Hamilton, had the consult, and was pointed towards SMILE surgery as the best option for me. Getting everything set up and scheduled was easy, with helpful text message reminders of upcoming appointments. Dr. Hamilton and the staff are great, and the offices are pleasant and comfortable.
The day of surgery was very easy, with a surprisingly quick, totally painless procedure. Now, three months later, I'm 20/15 in both eyes, and could not be happier with the outcome. Recovery was a breeze, I was able to 100% return to normal life within 48 hours of the procedure with near perfect vision. Minor stuff like very mild, sporadic dry eyes were gone within a week or two. I literally climbed a high altitude mountain 6 weeks after the procedure and it was glorious to not have to screw around with contact lenses or glasses while camping and hiking. I strongly recommend Dr. Hamilton and his staff if you're looking at corrective eye surgery. My only regret is not doing it sooner. - Milton EVO ICL surgery with Dr. Hamilton was life-changing. From start to finish, everything was smooth and well-organized. The results met all my expectations. This was a great experience … More because:★★★★★ 9 months ago
1. EVO ICL surgery transformed my horrible myopia, allowing me to see better than with glasses or contacts. The results were even better than I had expected.
2. The surgery was quick and painless, and I recovered quickly with almost no discomfort. I was a bit nervous about getting ICL surgery, but Dr. Hamilton was an excellent calm and reassuring surgeon. I am lucky I found Dr. Hamilton for this procedure.
3. Mayra and the rest of the entire staff was very professional and caring. All appointments were very efficient and the office was very responsive.
Thank you to Dr. Hamilton and his exceptional team! - General Xanthippus I know Dr. Hamilton and have been his patient since 2008 when he performed laser eye surgery on me. My vision reached 20/20 in both eyes even though my case was a difficult one and … More other ophthalmologists had told me that I might never reach 20/20 vision. Dr. Hamilton handled my case with great care and precision and I achieved 20/20 vision in both eyes without glasses/contacts. I am very happy that I made a good decision by choosing Dr. Hamilton as my LASIK surgeon. I have not been wearing glasses/contacts since 2008. Thanks for everything you have done for me Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 9 months ago
5.0 101 reviews
- Patrick Ken O. I completed the SMILE procedure with Dr.Hamilton and I’m very happy with the results!After having an unsatisfactory experience at UCLA Stein Eye Institute, I found Dr.Hamilton on google … More in my area as I wanted to get a second opinion to my possible options.Him and his team answered all my questions and specific concerns from start to finish.I appreciate the team’s empathic understanding to my situation and Dr.Hamilton’s expertise. He analyzed my results from UCLA compared to his own eye tests and showed me the up-to-date medical knowledge/data on what would be the best action to take.After thorough examination and explanation,I decided to proceed with the surgery. The surgery itself was quite fast and I was able to go home same-day. My vision is now 20/20 both eyes as of the post-op exam today.I highly recommend Dr.Hamilton for everyone seeking help with their vision correction or needing second opinion★★★★★ a month ago
- Roy Akarakian SMILE surgery was amazing. Quick and easy procedure. Much faster recovery than I was expecting.The day after the procedure I had perfect vision already.Recovery: I would only get very … More minimal dryness at the end of a long day that improved with eye drops and resolved over the course of a few weeks. Not terrible at all!Telling all my friends to get this done with Dr. Hamilton. He’s the best.★★★★★ a month ago
- Kirk Wilson My journey, as well as that of an old college buddy of mine, to successfully solve cataract issues in both pairs of eyes may be best summarized by borrowing a phrase from the Charles … More Dickens 1859 Novel, - A Tale of Two Cities -"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."Indeed, my friend and I each found doctors to perform the necessary surgeries around the same time and began our procedures within a couple of weeks of one another.I was fortunate to discover Dr. Rex Hamilton and his very competent team of professionals to perform the necessary testing and subsequent surgeries on my eyes.My friend, on the other hand, found a Medicare surgeon and had to visit more than one location to find all the people required to determine his needs. After setting up his first surgery he boasted about his out-of-pocket expenses only costing $1,000.Fast forwarding to the results after my surgeries, the vision in both eyes was exceptional. Cataract issues were completely gone. In fact, in one eye I measured 20-10 and could read the smallest paragraph on a handheld chart which I was not supposed to be able to read at all. I was half-jokingly told that I was Jet Fighter Pilot level. The other eye was also cataract free, and all related issues were gone. I suspect that if someone had gone in the neighboring room, and held up a random number of fingers, that I could have seen through the wall to correctly read that as well.My college friend did each of his eyes months apart. After the first surgery, the cataracts seemed to have gone away, but he had trouble driving because he now had double vision. The doctor's response, "It will go away with time."I advised my friend to go to Dr. Hamilton and not take a chance on his second eye.My advice was ignored. I had certainly forgotten the small cost and that the double vision would go away!He later had the second Medicare surgery, and the cataract symptoms did go away. But then he had worse double vision and dared not drive at night. And of course he was told again, "The double vision will go away". To him, the double vision was a matter of the brain getting used to the new eye mechanics.After more than 6 months he clings to the hope that the problems will go away. And secretly he probably wishes he had taken my advice.So as Charles Dickens might have written in a sequel:- A tale of two pairs of cataract surgeries -"It was the best of eye doctors, it was the worst of eye doctors."As for me, in a postscript:After investigating, I was told by the Air Force that, although my vision is indeed exceptional, I am regrettably too old to join the ranks of Jet Fighter Pilots. But I have recently learned that there is an Historical Fountain of Youth in Florida. I am planning on finding it and drinking its waters. I will then return to the Air Force for another evaluation since I have already satisfied the first Jet Fighter Pilot prerequisite.Kirk Z. WilsonAn extremely grateful patient of Dr. Rex Hamilton★★★★★ a week ago
- Shizhuo Zhu Dr. Hamilton is amazing! I have been considering about getting rid of my glasses for years. It’s a really big decision and I have been to several clinics. I believe I had the best experience … More at Hamilton Eye Institute. Dr. Hamilton and his staff are so professional and considerate which made me decided to have my procedure with them! I got 20/20 vision the first day after my SMILE surgery. Highly recommend :)★★★★★ 2 months ago
- liza mier Dr. Hamilton was great from the start! He explained everything from the procedure that I was a candidate for, LASIK, and how the procedure is. He made sure to answer all of my questions … More and assured me everything would be great. The day of the surgery everyone was very kind and helpful. I was nervous at first, but his direction during the procedure was extremely helpful and so quick and easy. Dr. Hamilton & his team made sure I was aware of the next steps and very kind. I cannot thank him & his team for his professionalism, attention to detail, & their kindness. I recommend him 100% to anyone looking to get this procedure done★★★★★ a month ago
- Patrick O. I completed the SMILE procedure with Dr.Hamilton and I’m very happy with the results!After having an unsatisfactory experience at UCLA Stein Eye Institute, I found Dr.Hamilton on google … More in my area as I wanted to get a second opinion to my possible options.Him and his team answered all my questions and specific concerns from start to finish.I appreciate the team’s empathic understanding to my situation and Dr.Hamilton’s expertise. He analyzed my results from UCLA compared to his own eye tests and showed me the up-to-date medical knowledge/data on what would be the best action to take.After thorough examination and explanation,I decided to proceed with the surgery. The surgery itself was quite fast and I was able to go home same-day. My vision is now 20/20 both eyes as of the post-op exam today.I highly recommend Dr.Hamilton for everyone seeking help with their vision correction or needing second opinion★★★★★ a month ago
- Liza Doctor Hamilton and his team were amazing from beginning to end. I received a Reflective Lens Exchange (RLE) due to not being able to see close up. I could get by with reading glasses, … More but they were not comfortable while I'm at work as a hair stylist. Doctor Hamilton has corrected my vision to be nearly 20/20. I am now able to read and work without glasses and can still see far away distances perfectly when driving. He answered any and all questions I had, and made sure I knew exactly what was going to happen and what results to expect. He was highly recommended to me by several acquaintances , and he exceeded my expectations!★★★★★ 3 weeks ago
- Eric Tan Regardless of professional ability or attitude, Dr. Hamilton is the best doctor.My mother and I both discovered cataracts during our recent eye exams, and as diabetics, we are very … More concerned about future risks. Therefore, we did some research to find a good doctor. Fortunately, we found Dr. Hamilton, who devised a great plan for us. My vision for both distance and reading improved to 20/20 the day after the surgery, far exceeding my expectations. My mother's vision improved a bit less, but it's also getting better.Many thanks to Dr. Hamilton, Jasmine, and the other staff at the clinic. Eyes are so important to us, and they helped a lot.★★★★★ 4 months ago
- Tom Rabin Rex Hamilton and his dedicated staff provided an outstanding experience for my Lasik procedure. From the initial consultation to the surgery itself, their professionalism and expertise … More were evident. The entire process was smooth, and they made me feel comfortable and informed every step of the way. The results are nothing short of amazing, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Five stars for Rex Hamilton and his exceptional team!★★★★★ a month ago
- Ketty Wang As a healthcare provider, I hesitate to leave reviews for medical practices but I feel compelled by the excellent care I am receiving from Dr. Hamilton and his team to share why you … More should see Dr. Hamilton for eye surgery. I work 12+ hours rotating shifts and my eyes are sensitive and susceptible to seasonal change and dry weather. Prior to surgery, I was constantly using lubricant eye drops at work and purposefully not wearing contact lens on my days off to rest my sore eyes. Today, I am nearly 3 months post-op from SMILE surgery and my quality of life has improved for the better.While I was a candidate for Lasik, I was also a candidate for SMILE and after having several consultations with eye surgeons in the LA area, I was comfortable having Dr. Hamilton perform my surgery. Simply put, Dr. Hamilton is a wizard. He is not only highly skilled, he understands how to operate the VisuMax femtosecond laser well and recognizes the different progression of recovery each patient has. Dr. Hamilton is also very kind, easy to talk to, and I knew I was in capable hands.I had a longer course of recovery, as I am dealing with dry eye syndrome (another reason why I opted for SMILE and not LASIK), and my vision is still improving. My right eye recovered much quicker than my left. This obviously made me worry even though Dr. Hamilton reassured me that my left eye would eventually catch up. He saw me right away on week 3 and week 4 when I noticed this discrepancy and he did not hesitate to professionally address my concerns - he assessed my eyes, performed corneal topography scans, went over the results in detail with me, and inserted plugs in my eyes. The halos were initially pronounced and then drastically faded over about 30 days - a month and a half later, they are absolutely minimal, especially since he started me on Cequa to help inflammation in my eyes. So far I am very happy with the results and the close communication that I have with him and his team, even though recovery took a bit longer than expected.I also want to thank his generous staff, Mayra and Jasmine. They are exceptionally friendly and accommodating, making me feel comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. I never felt rushed. They patiently answered all of my questions and addressed any concerns I had, which greatly eased any pre-surgery anxiety. Mayra was present with me through the day of surgery. She has a wealth of experience caring for surgical patients and she treated me like family.I can't thank the entire team at Hamilton Eye enough for their exceptional care and for giving me the gift of improved vision. I highly recommend Dr. Hamilton to anyone considering SMILE or any vision correction procedures.★★★★★ a month ago
- B J Dr. Hamilton is Outstanding! Very professional knowledgeable thoroughly explains every step of any procedure every time you visit him. My husband is a primary care physician and we … More send patients to Dr. Hamilton all the time. Again he is Amazing. We both had cataract surgery with him and continue to go to him for all follow up care.★★★★★ a month ago
- Richard Katkov My patient experience with Dr. Hamilton was exemplary from start to finish. Any procedure or surgery involving the eyes is inherently anxiety producing. It is for me. Upon meeting Dr. … More Hamilton and his incredibly attentive and thorough staff, I was put at ease immediately. Dr. Hamilton walked me through the options that follow the cataract removal. Every suggestion was exactly correct for my case. It is also worth noting that the nursing staff at the surgery center is also attentive and solicitous. The follow up by Dr. Hamilton has been great.Thank you, Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 5 months ago
- Natalie Haschek Dr. Hamilton is the best! Very experienced surgeon who makes a rather stressful process super smooth and comfortable. Not only is he very knowledgeable about the LASIK/SMILE surgery … More options but he is also a very kind person who made me feel at ease throughout my consult, preop and operation. He and his staff were also very clear about setting expectations for how my eyes would feel and what my vision would be like immediately after and the days following the surgery. Because of the difference in downtime I opted for the SMILE operation and couldn’t be happier with my results. If I had to do it all again I would absolutely go with Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 2 months ago
- E M I’ve waited so long to do laser vision correction, just kept making excuses. Then the whole surgery took 8 min for both eyes. My only regret is not doing it sooner. Dr. Hamilton was … More so awesome from start to finish. During the consultation he will walk you through all the different vision correction options to ensure the best option for you. For me SMILE was a perfect fit. Day of the operation you’re literally in and out within an hour. Thanks for the 20/20 vision Dr. Hamilton!★★★★★ a year ago
- Jamie Adler I am ecstatic over the results from my surgery and recommended Dr Hamilton a million percent to anyone needing corrective surgery! The entire team was kind professional and guided me … More through each and every step. The whole process was easy and my new lens implants allow me to see perfectly both near and far for the first time in many years.★★★★★ 4 months ago
- MG Lauron What do you get when you cross the brilliance of Tony Stark, the human skills of a peace negotiator, and the precision of a Swiss watchmaker? Dr. Rex Hamilton.No, the above is not a … More joke. I researched eye surgeons across the US. I settled upon Dr. Hamilton's office based on his education, his prior results, his excellent staff, and his low-key style. He let's his prior customers do the talking and not his relationship with the Kardashians or whoever.I am a year out from my surgery and I have zero complaints. Only excellence. Several people have complimented me on my excellent eyesight. No, I didn't give Dr. Hamilton any credit because, well, ego (mine).Is my vision absolutely perfect? No but the very modest limitations are strictly in line (and less) with what Dr. Hamilton and his staff informed me well in advance of me making the decision to proceed.If I had to make this decision again, what would I do it? I absolutely would proceed and definitely with Dr. Hamilton's office.★★★★★ 5 months ago
- Jaron McDonnel I had LASIK 10+ years ago and went to Dr. Hamilton to see what I could do to recurrent my vision. Dr. Hamilton performed a refractive lens exchange surgery on both eyes separately. … More The post op period was relatively easy. And my vision in my right eye is better than it ever was, even after LASIK. Highly recommend his office and staff.★★★★★ 4 months ago
- Antiochus I know Dr. Hamilton and have been his patient since 2008 when he performed laser eye surgery on me. My vision reached 20/20 in both eyes even though my case was a difficult one and … More other ophthalmologists had told me that I might never reach 20/20 vision. Dr. Hamilton handled my case with great care and precision and I achieved 20/20 vision in both eyes without glasses/contacts. I am very happy that I made a good decision by choosing Dr. Hamilton as my LASIK surgeon. I have not been wearing glasses/contacts since 2008. Thanks for everything you have done for me Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 9 months ago
- Olivia I didn't get my SMILE here, but my free consultation experience with Dr. Hamilton and his office staff was so amazing that I have second thoughts as to if my SMILE experience would … More have been better here! Dr. Hamilton appreciates your time even for free consultation unlike many places and meticulous when it comes to his results (your vision!). Felt like I would be in good hands and personalized care.Couple reasons I didn't get it here is very personal and minor that I recommend this office to anyone interested! The office was very far for me and the parking was of charge and I knew I would need many follow up visits due to my eye complications. I ended up getting it at a big office with many doctors and followup visits were so exhausting and time consuming.★★★★★ 7 months ago
- Gayane Kirakosyan I express deep gratitude to Dr. Hamilton and his entire team for the successful surgical intervention that significantly improved my vision. Your high level of professionalism and coordinated … More work are greatly appreciated. Best of luck to you in your challenging yet very important work.★★★★★ 7 months ago
- Vivan Tran I had PRK with Dr. Hamilton 5 years ago when he was at UCLA and am still happy with the result. I was -7 in both eyes before surgery and today still see 20/20 in both eyes. My only … More problem is continued dry eyes, which I manage with lubricant gel at night. I was informed of this risk before surgery. Despite the dry eyes, I have no regrets since my quality of life is much better not having to wear glasses/contacts. If I needed eye surgery again, I would return to Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 11 months ago
- Olivia Yoon I didn't get my SMILE here, but my free consultation experience with Dr. Hamilton and his office staff was so amazing that I have second thoughts as to if my SMILE experience would … More have been better here! Dr. Hamilton appreciates your time even for free consultation unlike many places and meticulous when it comes to his results (your vision!). Felt like I would be in good hands and personalized care.Couple reasons I didn't get it here is very personal and minor that I recommend this office to anyone interested! The office was very far for me and the parking was of charge and I knew I would need many follow up visits due to my eye complications. I ended up getting it at a big office with many doctors and followup visits were so exhausting and time consuming.★★★★★ 7 months ago
- ben Came in to look into laser surgery for my severe near sightedness. I was "legally blind" meaning I really could not do or see anything without strong corrective glasses or … More contact lenses and I've been that way since 4th grade. After 30 odd years, I'd had enough.★★★★★ a year ago
I went to Dr. Hamilton, had the consult, and was pointed towards SMILE surgery as the best option for me. Getting everything set up and scheduled was easy, with helpful text message reminders of upcoming appointments. Dr. Hamilton and the staff are great, and the offices are pleasant and comfortable.
The day of surgery was very easy, with a surprisingly quick, totally painless procedure. Now, three months later, I'm 20/15 in both eyes, and could not be happier with the outcome. Recovery was a breeze, I was able to 100% return to normal life within 48 hours of the procedure with near perfect vision. Minor stuff like very mild, sporadic dry eyes were gone within a week or two. I literally climbed a high altitude mountain 6 weeks after the procedure and it was glorious to not have to screw around with contact lenses or glasses while camping and hiking. I strongly recommend Dr. Hamilton and his staff if you're looking at corrective eye surgery. My only regret is not doing it sooner. - Milton EVO ICL surgery with Dr. Hamilton was life-changing. From start to finish, everything was smooth and well-organized. The results met all my expectations. This was a great experience … More because:★★★★★ 9 months ago
1. EVO ICL surgery transformed my horrible myopia, allowing me to see better than with glasses or contacts. The results were even better than I had expected.
2. The surgery was quick and painless, and I recovered quickly with almost no discomfort. I was a bit nervous about getting ICL surgery, but Dr. Hamilton was an excellent calm and reassuring surgeon. I am lucky I found Dr. Hamilton for this procedure.
3. Mayra and the rest of the entire staff was very professional and caring. All appointments were very efficient and the office was very responsive.
Thank you to Dr. Hamilton and his exceptional team! - General Xanthippus I know Dr. Hamilton and have been his patient since 2008 when he performed laser eye surgery on me. My vision reached 20/20 in both eyes even though my case was a difficult one and … More other ophthalmologists had told me that I might never reach 20/20 vision. Dr. Hamilton handled my case with great care and precision and I achieved 20/20 vision in both eyes without glasses/contacts. I am very happy that I made a good decision by choosing Dr. Hamilton as my LASIK surgeon. I have not been wearing glasses/contacts since 2008. Thanks for everything you have done for me Dr. Hamilton.★★★★★ 9 months ago