Dr. Franz Michel
Pterygium Removal Surgeon
& LASIK Surgeon
Franz Michel, MD, a UCLA-trained cornea specialist, specializes in Pterygium surgery and bladeless, no-cut LASEK laser eye surgery which offers better comfort and faster visual recovery.
With offices in Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park), Oxnard, and Sherman Oaks, California, Dr. Michel is referred to by other cornea specialists as the "King of Pterygium" and has the largest Pterygium referral practice in the US. He is the Eye Doctor's #1 Referral Choice for Pterygium Removal Surgery.
His Pterygium recurrence rates are less than 1%, a remarkably low rate compared to the 10-50% recurrence rates of other Pterygium removal surgeons. In addition, 100% of Dr. Michel's LASEK laser eye surgery patients have been able to pass the DMV vision test without glasses and 94% have enjoyed 20/20 vision.
Patient Stories: Dr. Harlan Mittag, Pterygium Removal Surgery
Many people with a Pterygium wait a while to have it removed. Their concerns are manifold: fear of surgery, concerns about recurrence, downtime, etc. If you have any concerns at all about Pterygium removal surgery, listen to Dr. Harlan Mittag of Minnesota describe his experience with Dr. Michel. The Pterygium had grown over the course of years to the extent that it caused blindness to his left eye. Not only was the surgery "easy" but now, post-procedure, his left eye is 20/60 with no correction and correctible to 20/30. Thank you, Dr. Mittag!
Why Choose Dr. Franz Michel As Your Pterygium Removal & LASIK Eye Surgeon?
You are family.
Dr. Michel is a cornea specialist specializing in Pterygium removal and bladeless, no-cut LASIK. He and his staff care the same for you as they would their own families. We treat EACH with compassion, consideration, and respect. Although our offices are located in Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park), Oxnard, and Sherman Oaks, our patients come from all over the US and world including our local cities and towns in Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County: Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park), Oxnard, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Camarillo, Moorpark, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Montecito, Summerland, Carpinteria, Goleta, and Los Angeles.
Our track record.
Dr. Michel has the highest standards for the care of your eyes. He is honest, compassionately direct, never takes shortcuts, and offers patients the most advanced techniques in Pterygium removal surgery and LASIK eye surgery. His track record in Pterygium removal surgery is second to none which is why he's referred to as the "King of Pterygium." His Pterygium recurrence rate is less than 1% compared to the average of 10-50%. And his LASIK eye surgery track record is impeccable as his patients will attest. One hundred percent of Dr. Michel's LASIK laser eye surgery patients have been able to pass the DMV vision test without glasses and 94% have enjoyed 20/20 vision.
Watch as Dr. Michel explains his Pterygium technique, why his recurrence rates are so low,
and what you can expect during your initial Pterygium exam.
We use only advanced laser eye surgery technology so that you have the best LASIK results.
We use wavefront laser technology which offers superb laser vision correction while maintaining the natural shape of the eye.
First-class service.
Dr. Michel knows that the thought of having LASIK laser eye surgery can be frightening and so the continuity of care is important to him, and to you. He doesn't run a corporate LASIK eye surgery factory. From the initial consultation to LASIK surgery to the post-operative meeting, Dr. Michel manages every aspect of your care himself. Should you have questions or concerns before or afterward, you can easily reach Dr. Michel because he will give you his personal cell phone number.
Dr. Michel thoroughly reviews your eye tests at least three times before LASIK surgery.
Borrowing from an old adage: measure three times, operate once.
Emphasis on safety and ethics.
While at UCLA, Dr. Michel’s sub-specialty was Pterygium removal and LASIK complications performed by other doctors. As a result, he evaluates your eyes with safety and precision as he tailors treatment to your individual needs. Dr. Michel is known for his politeness and honesty in consultations. If LASIK is not for you, he will suggest an alternative, such as PRK LASIK, regular LASIK, Bladeless, or No-Cut LASEK (epi-LASIK). In addition, if Pterygium removal surgery is not for you, he will also let you know.
Affordability.
Dr. Michel offers very reasonable rates because he doesn't want cost to preclude you from seeing well again. We also offer 0% Down CareCredit Financing for LASIK.
He values your time.
Your time is valuable. Nobody wants to spend their whole day at their ophthalmologist's office. Dr. Michel does everything to accommodate you and your schedule. However, if you have to wait more than 10 minutes due to an emergency patient, we will make it up to you!
We give back!
Dr. Michel supports Habitat for Humanity, Equestrian Autism, as well as numerous schools and kids sports teams. He also supports drilling wells that supply fresh water to villagers in Burma. In 2010, four teenage boys died locally in a tragic car accident. Dr. Michel held a surgical fundraiser which donated money to help the mothers of the deceased cover funeral expenses. We are given a lot and, for that, we are happy, if not obliged, to give back.
Reviews
Previous“I’ve never had to wear glasses before, but it was getting difficult to read menus and patient charts without reading glasses and I didn’t want to start now, Dr. Michel did such a thorough job of examination and explanation I knew I could trust him with my eyes. I was right, it’s been about a year now and my results are superb. The recovery was short too! I really was back in the office treating patients 2 hours after the procedure.”
Dr. Guy Rogers, Thousand Oaks
“I did my internship with Dr. Michel and thought about laser eye surgery for a long time. Now a year later after epi-lasik, my vision is great! Better yet, I won’t need reading glasses in the years to come. I’ve known Dr. Michel for 10 years now and recommend him without hesitation.”
Tom Aguirre MD, Santa Barbara
“My laser eye surgery with Dr. Michel was truly life-changing. It is so liberating to be able to see without glasses! I flew from Toronto to have him do my surgery. It was worth the trip!”
Ishali M, Toronto, Canada
“Dr. Michel, your skills with E-lasek are the best! My vision is so good, it’s scary! I can even see the individual pixels on the TV.”
Debra M. – Thousand Oaks
“Before Epilasik, my astigmatism was off the charts. Now my vision is 20/20 in the right eye, 20/15 in the left. It’s nice to be able to read movie subtitles from across the room.”
Christina Chehadah of Thousand Oaks
“I was wearing contacts all the time, for many years. Then as I got older, I needed to wear glasses to read. I was always hearing about laser eye surgery. But my fear of doing that stopped me from seriously pursuing it. Until I met Dr. Michel in a seminar, he was very knowledgeable on the subject. I went ahead with the eye surgery. I love it, he did a great job. No more contacts, no more red irritated eyes. To see clearly when I wake up in the morning, or to go swimming and not worry about my eyes is a wonderful feeling. I would recommend this to everyone.”
Debbie Fugazzi
“I love my Intacs! Despite my Keratoconus, now I can pass the DMV test without my glasses. Thanks Dr. Michel.”
Edward B, Woodland Hills
“I would highly recommend that anyone who is even remotely interested in having vision correction talk to Dr. Michel. I had the epi-lasik procedure, and it was really quick and easy. Now, my astigmatism and near-sightedness are gone, and I have better than 20/20 vision! Thanks Dr. Michel!”
Joshua B.
“Dr. Michel, it has truly been a blessing to see the world in a different way, and for that I owe you a world of thanks!”
Kevin B. Moorpark
“Laser Eye surgery was the best thing I ever did for myself. Wow! What a difference.”
Mike Musicant, Thousand Oaks
“I have Keratoconus and was losing my vision to the point where glasses and contacts couldn’t help me. I couldn’t see and was worried about dropping out of school. The Intacs surgery really improved my vision. Now I can pass the DMV vision test. I recommend Intacs highly. What a relief to have my vision back!”
Vicky Hernandez, Thousand Oaks
“I had Epi-lasik surgery in October 2008 and I am so happy with my decision! Prior to the surgery, I needed contact lenses to see far and reading glasses to read. Dr. Michel corrected my right eye for the far vision and undercorrected my left eye for close-up vision. The result- I can now see far and read without any corrective lenses whatsoever! At 50 I now see better than when I was 30. Thank you Dr. Michel!!”
Mark S., Thousand Oaks