Paul Imperia, MD
Dr. Paul Imperia is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained corneal surgeon specializing in cataract surgery and laser vision correction. One of the Pacific Northwest’s most experienced LASIK surgeons, he is also one of Southern Oregon’s two fellowship-trained cornea specialists (the other is his colleague Dr. Matt Oliva). Dr. Imperia also treats many other medical eye conditions, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetes, and sees patients for routine eye exams and glasses.
As the Medical Director of our refractive surgery program, Dr. Imperia has performed more than 24,000 vision correction procedures. Dr. Imperia has been involved in a broad range of research involving corneal and refractive surgery, including some of the FDA’s original studies on LASIK, the physiology of healing after laser surgery, immunologic diseases of the eye, and drug studies involving patients’ post-operative comfort and healing. His research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks.Dr. Imperia regularly instructs fellow ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses and technicians. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals and textbooks.
Dr. Imperia has had LASIK himself, previously depending on glasses and contacts for nearsigtedness. He understands the questions and issues his patients have when considering laser vision correction—and he can respond with the absolute confidence of someone who’s experienced LASIK first-hand. Throughout the region, more than 500 other eye doctors, their staffs, and their families have trusted Dr. Imperia to perform vision correction surgeries on their eyes. It’s a choice anyone can make with confidence.
Dr. Imperia supervises every aspect of the procedure from pre-surgical tests to follow-up consultations. He works closely with a seasoned, tightly-knit surgical team and insists on using technically advanced, expertly-maintained, FDA-approved laser devices. Dr. Imperia lives and works in the Rogue Valley, so he’s available to provide follow-up care or advice if you need it.
An affiliated ophthalmologist with the Himalayan Cataract Project, Dr. Imperia has worked in Nepal and Africa providing surgery and teaching modern surgical techniques. He has also hosted physicians from developing countries who travel to the U.S. to further their training. Dr. Imperia is particularly interested in bringing refractive surgeries such as LASIK to the third world, with the goal of reducing the severe visual disability that exists amongst those who have no access to glasses.
In his free time, Paul and his wife Laura spend as much time as possible enjoying the area’s natural beauty. An avid outdoorsman and athlete, Paul enjoys cycling, running, hiking, swimming, rock climbing, fly fishing, and skiing.
Dr. Imperia is currently accepting new patients.
He provides all levels of eye care, including routine vision exams. Please call us today to make your appointment.
Education and Training
Medical School 1983
Graduated with honors, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York
Internship 1984
Internal Medicine—Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio
Residency 1990
Ophthalmology—Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio
Fellowship 1991
Cornea and Refractive Surgery—Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA, California
