Meet Our Doctors – The Visionaries Behind LASIK of Nevada

The doctors of LASIK of NEVADA have established us as the home to the most experienced and specialized LASIK practice in Nevada. Our ophthalmologists are members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and certified through the American Board of Ophthalmology and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons. Our optometrists are members of the American Optometric Association. Read more about your eye doctor by clicking on their picture below.


LASIK Specialist Doctors

Richard C. Rothman, M.D.

LASIK and Refractive Specialist
Cornea and External Disease

Board Certified for over 20 years

Professional Associations:
American Academy of Ophthalmology · Fellow American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery · American Board of Ophthalmology · National Board of Physicians and Surgeons · Diplomate Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Biography
Dr. Rothman began his career in medicine in 1978 and later developed an expertise in refractive surgery and surgical instrument design while a research fellow at the Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School in 1986. At that time, he co-developed specialized surgical instrumentation to reduce astigmatism after corneal transplantation surgery whose basic principals have been used extensively over the past 30 years by surgeons performing these procedures worldwide. After this fellowship, Dr. Rothman completed a three-year residency in Ophthalmology at Center for Sight, Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC where he further developed his expertise in surgical instrument design and development. He then obtained sub-specialty training in Refractive Surgery, Cornea, and External Disease during a fellowship at Cornea Consultants, affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston where he worked closely with Kenneth R. Kenyon, M.D., former Director of the Cornea Service at the Infirmary and one of the premier corneal and refractive surgeons in Boston.

As a result of his refractive experience in the 1980’s, Dr. Rothman became one of the earliest excimer laser certified surgeons in Northern California in 1995. Soon after, he accepted a position as Regional Medical Director of the Beacon Eye Institute in Atlanta where he further developed his expertise in this sub-specialty. During the past 21 years, Dr. Rothman has been involved with several prominent practices specializing in laser vision correction including his role as Senior Surgeon and California Medical Director for one of the largest international laser vision correction clinics in North America.

Dr. Rothman is experienced, or certified, on virtually all major FDA-approved excimer laser systems in use today, including three laser systems with the most advanced state-of-the-art eye tracking technologies available. Dr. Rothman has performed nearly 50,000 laser refractive procedures, 95% of which are LASIK. This level of experience places Dr. Rothman in the company of a very small group of the most highly experienced refractive surgeons in the United States.

Dr. Rothman is the recipient of numerous honors including the prestigious National Research Service award. His contribution to the design and development of the Rothman-Gilbard Donor Cornea Marker and Punch has also been recognized by the Storz Instrument Company at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Prior to his career in ophthalmology, Dr. Rothman’s professional background also included experience in a variety of practice settings including both emergency medicine and family practice. His undergraduate degree in the Biological Sciences was obtained at Northwestern University in Chicago. Dr. Rothman was born and raised in New York and his outside interests include travel, guitar, and historical literature.

Rajy M. Rouweyha, M.D.

Corneal & Refractive Surgeon
Director of Nevada Donor Eye Network

Professional Associations:
American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, American Board of Ophthalmology, Medical Director Nevada Donor Eye Network

Biography:
Dr. Rouweyha is a Fellowship trained Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgeon who specializes in vision correction procedures. He received his undergraduate degree from Youngstown State University, in Ohio where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He earned his medical degree at the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and his postgraduate training was performed at St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. followed by a one-year clinical/research fellowship in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at the University of Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Dr. Rouweyha was awarded the Chief Resident Award during his residency at the George Washington University Medical Center and at the Hermann Eye Center he was named Outstanding Fellow of the Year.

Dr. Rouweyha has practiced in Las Vegas over the past 8 years and is experienced and certified on virtually all major FDA-approved excimer laser systems in use today. Dr. Rouweyha has performed over 10,000 laser refractive (LASIK) procedures. In addition, Dr. Rouweyha has performed over 500 corneal transplant surgeries. In 2006, he was invited to serve as the medical director for the Nevada Donor Eye Network.

Dr. Rouweyha is also very experienced in evaluating and treating a rare corneal condition known as Keratoconus. He has helped to train and certify other U.S. surgeons in a new and exciting treatment for Keratoconus known as INTACS (Intrastromal Corneal Ring Segments). Dr. Rouweyha has been performing this procedure since its approval by the FDA in July 2004. For the past two years he has been an INTACS certified instructor for other surgeons.

Dr. Rouweyha has also authored a notable book chapter in the American Academy of Ophthalmology Monograph Series entitled “Posterior Membrane Dystrophies.” Cornea: Dystrophies and Degenerations AAOM 2003.

Dr. Rouweyha’s other professional interests include public speaking and patient education. Dr. Rouweyha was brought up in Ohio and his outside interests include travel, piano, and bodybuilding.

Cynthia S. Payne, O.D.

Optometrist

Dr. Cynthia Payne was raised in the southern United States. She attended Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, and received a bachelor of science with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry in 1990. She also completed one year of graduate study at the University of Tennessee, Memphis in Neuroscience, and worked for an additional two years as a research assistant in cancer pharmacology.

She attended the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, where she earned her doctorate of optometry in 1997. She has been in private optometry practice since that time and has especially enjoyed her work involving laser vision correction procedures.

Dr. Payne is a member of the American Optometric Association and is Board Certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry for the treatment and management of ocular disease.

Wanwalee Charoenchote, O.D.

Optometrist

Dr. Wanwalee Charoenchote grew up in Las Vegas graduating from a local high school and the University of Nevada Las Vegas with bachelor degrees in psychology and biology. She completed her doctorate in optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago. Since graduating, she has been involved with general practice and laser vision correction. She is committed to her profession and believes in giving excellent care to all of her patients.