La Jolla LASIK Institute

I had corrective PRK surgery last Spring at La Jolla LASIK and couldn’t be happier with the results. Since I’d had LASIK back in 2001, this was my second go around. My first experience was with another doctor in town and I can honestly say my vision wasn’t ever 100% corrected. Over time I learned to live with it but, then my vision started changing and I ended up back in glasses a few years ago.
I decided to try to get them corrected again and realized my second try needed to be perfect, so I went about researching LASIK doctors.
Dr. Nahl and her team at La Jolla LASIK impressed me from the start. Her attention to detail is just what I was looking for in an eye surgeon. She takes meticulous measurements just to make sure she can get the best possible results — — something I truly appreciated after my first experience.
My procedure went off without a hitch. Because I was a previous LASIK patient, Dr. Nahl used PRK surgery to correct my vision. PRK results take a little while longer than LASIK to stabilize but within a few weeks I knew I was on the right track. Three months post surgery I was pretty close to ²⁰⁄₂₀ in each eye and I stabilized at ²⁰⁄₁₅ six months post-​surgery. These results are more than I had hoped for and wholeheartedly recommend La Jolla LASIK for corrective eye surgery.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably trying to decide whether to let someone shoot a very powerful laser directly into – of all things – your eyes, and who you might possibly trust to do this. Excellent credentials, the best available technology and tools, and a truly impressive track record are key considerations when making this decision. As I found, and as many other reviewers have noted, Dr. Nahl has all of the above.
These «non-​negotiables» in place, what set Dr. Nahl and La Jolla LASIK Institute apart to me, and what made this the clear choice for my procedure (PRK in both eyes on 12/​30/​2015) was an incredible standard of care. Dr. Nahl met with me during my first consult, and performed this initial examination (and all subsequent examinations) herself. She was incredibly patient and genuinely helpful. Lori has also been an incredible help each time I’ve been to the office. She’s efficient and always available to answer questions and help you yout.
Ultimately, I chose La Jolla LASIK Institute because they’re clearly excellent at what they do, and because I felt that both Lori and Dr. Nahl are kind, caring people who understand and appreciate that making decisions about eye surgery entails some stress and challenges, and that they are committed to patiently employing their talents and resources to help people make the best decisions and have the best experience and outcomes possible.

Dr. Nahl and Lori are truly the best. I was so incredibly nervous about lasers in my eyes. I am probably the biggest spaz around, and Dr. Nahl really made me feel at ease. Originally at my first consultation they found that I was borderline PRK/​LASIK, but that they recommended PRK for various reasons. When it came time for my pre-​op appointment, I told them my anxiety about the recovery time, as I am a huge baby, and I also have a 15 month old to chase around at home. Dr. Nahl took the time to take a closer look at the second test results and said that she would feel comfortable doing LASIK. Woo hoo! Come surgery day I was incredibly nervous, but she and Lori were there making jokes and really talking me through it and making me feel as at ease as possible. The procedure itself was seriously not bad at all. Them taking the tape off at the end was the most painful part! A few hours of slight burning, l that night, but I woke up feeling (and seeing!) great! At my post op I had a slight wrinkle in one of my flaps and Dr. Nahl fixed it in her office with ease. Such a great experience and such a great team! Loving my new eyes!

Had lasik done for both me and my wife with Dr. Nahl. We are Very pleased with the results. Wore glasses for around 15 years, finally able to be able to get rid of them. Dr. Nahl and her staff are very friendly, and care about the patient.

Dr. Nahl performed my LASIK procedure two weeks ago and I can say that as a physician, Dr. Nahl is the *only* surgeon I would ever trust with my eyes. She is a board-​certified ophthalmologist with impressive credentials and training, and a bedside manner that should set the standard for all physicians. I ask tons of questions and Dr. Nahl was very patient and thorough with her responses, and is clearly up to date with the latest medical peer-​reviewed studies in this world. None of the other surgeons in SD come anywhere near close to her skill set (some are not even board certified, and the one who constantly advertises on TV is actually a convicted criminal!!), and in fact my wife will be getting PRK with her shortly. Thank you, Dr. Nahl, for being an excellent surgeon with a compassionate and wonderfully pleasant demeanor.

I’m so pleased with my LASIK procedure result! This was a big decision for my family because my vision is key to my livelihood. After 30 years in contacts I was simply not able to deal with the fatigue and discomfort even with the expensive daily wear contacts. Post LASIK I’m seeing just as well as I did with contacts, the difference is that I see this well all day long … no more fatigue and diminished vision as the day wears on.
Dr. Nahl showed tremendous attention to detail throughout the entire process and was always so patient and caring not only for me but with my wife. The entire staff was extremely professional and friendly at every step and I too wish I had done this years ago.
No more frustration from my contacts while I surf and bike is a pretty big bonus too!

Start to finish this is hands down the most professional medical setting I’ve been in. (I’m an ER nurse so it should count for something:) The staff is Awesome! (My husband and I especially loved Lori who was incredibly sweet and friendly) Dr. Nahl is down to earth and was very willing to answer any and all questions that we had. When I started I was legally blind and then some. After the procedure I was ²⁰⁄₂₀ and ²⁰⁄₁₅. I did an incredible amount of research on this procedure and put it off for a while until I found the right surgeon, Dr. Nahl. She is the best and charges accordingly. If you’re looking for cheap Lasik that might have horrible side effects this might not be the place for you. It’s been one month since my procedure and I love my new eyes!
Mandy

Today is the day after my LASIK surgery and I have to say that I am ecstatic. After my follow-​up appointment this morning, I was very easily able to see ²⁰⁄₁₅ and I was even able to see a couple of letters on the ²⁰⁄₁₀ line. Before the laser correction my vision was worse than –5.75 with slight astigmatism in both eyes.
The procedure itself was faster than I expected! Yesterday during the procedure the actual reshaping of the cornea with the Allegretto Wavelight 500 only took a matter of seconds. The creating of the flap took a little longer, but it was all laser and after watching the video that my friend took everything looked great. Dr. Nahl is undoubtedly a skilled surgeon and this was evident during the actual procedure as well as the pre-​operative visits. Dr. Nahl and her staff go to great lengths to explain the entire process and they triple-​check everything.
Before choosing La Jolla LASIK, I had about 5 consultations total with various different places. Dr. Nahl’s office is a tad pricier than the others, but I suppose you get what you pay for. With Dr. Nahl, you get a superior laser as well as an excellent surgeon. For me, choosing the best technology and surgeon was very important. I wanted to choose a board certified surgeon and after speaking to a few of my cousins – who happen to be doctors – I felt that choosing an experienced and board certified doctor was crucial to ensuring I received the best care for such an important body part such as my eyes. Dr. Nahl is a tad quirky and dorky, but I suppose that’s expected with a Harvard educated doctor. After all, I suppose I’m a bit dorky as well. So there’s nothing wrong with that! :)
Anyhow, all in all, great experience and I am happy with the results. Unlike others, I haven’t really experienced much dryness and any halos seem minimal if they are even there at all. They are so minimal that I can barely tell.
The only thing that caught me off guard after my first consultation is that you have to pay for parking with cash. I don’t usually carry cash with me so I had to scrounge around for $ 3 in change from my car.
Otherwise, everything has been great!

I had Lasik done last night and woke up able to see crystal clear and pain free. The procedure was fast and Dr. Nahl and her staff walked me through the whole procedure. She also worked with me to have my procedure done so I wouldn’t have to take off work. I would highly recommend Dr. Nahl for Lasik surgery.

Dr. Nahl and her stuff are the best ! I had my LASIK surgery 1 year ago, and I am very impressed with my results. It’s a wonderful feeling not having to worry about wearing glass or contact. It was such an easy process! I wish I would have done it sooner. The procedure was really fast and I could see ²⁰⁄₂₀ the next day!

Just FYI: I have a background in clinical medicine.
First things first, my vision: It’s the day after my LASIK procedure and I can’t stop looking around at things because they are all so clear! I went from about –10 to perfect vision. I had an unusual case as my sight was so poor I would have to get PRK, but the lovely Dr. Nahl managed to find a way for me to have the LASIK instead! During the procedure itself Dr. Nahl and her team made me feel super comfortable by reassuring me constantly that things were going great.
Second thing: I cannot rave enough about Dr. Nahl and her staff. From the second I arrived there it was like I was part of their little LASIK family! Every member of their team seemed to genuinely love and have excitement for what they do, and above all they made me feel safe and relaxed while still doing their professional duties (and doing them very well)!
Third thing: if you want, all appointments and updates or questions come by email and/​or text. This was so convenient, as appointments were automatically in my phone calendar.
Above and beyond: Lori, the patient coordinator, found out their was something wrong on my prescriptions so she went to the pharmacy before I even knew about it and dropped off the corrected ones!
I am actually a little sad I’m not friends with Dr. Nahl in real life, as she is just one of those people you want to be around!
Ps. Jeremy and Heather, I would never have known you were students/​on rota if not for your name tags. Very confident, professional and well learned.

Procedure: LASIK by Dr. Nahl (³⁄₂₀₁₅)
I have been wearing glasses and contacts for 18 years, since the 3^rd grade. With a prescription of –7.5 in both eyes and astigmatism, I was unsure if I would qualify. Eyes are the most precious things, and I was unwilling to undergo any sort of procedure if I was even a borderline candidate.
I didn’t need to worry. Dr. Angela Nahl and her staff are THE BEST TEAM! I called and left a voicemail requesting an appointment for a free consultation, as advertised on their website. Within two days they had called me back, offering me a next-​day consult. I went in the morning, and was greeted by Shiggy, Lori, and Hesper. They walked me through the paperwork, and then performed a number of tests to determine my prescription, the thickness of my corneas, the quality of my eyeball surface, and other crazy things.
When she had all the results, Dr. Nahl entered to speak with me and my mom (who came to all my appointments :) She was amazingly professional and patient. She walked me through the candidacy test and announced that I qualified for the surgery! I had a number of questions about side effects I had researched, including dry eyes, loss of night vision, and halos. She addressed each question, and informed me that they were using the newest, state-​of-​the-​art, FDA-​approved-​for-​astigmatism LASER.
Dr. Nahl and her team are very thorough. They told me to leave my contacts out for two full weeks, just to be sure that my eyes would have regained their natural shape. I came in for surgery prep, where they re-​tested my eyes using every single machine again. I was told that my prescription was very stable, and after being dilated, I was cleared for surgery.
On the day of, Dr. Nahl and her staff were all at the center. At this point, I had spent so much time with them that they felt like family! I was nervous, but felt comfortable and confident in their hands. The operation lasted less than ten minutes and was completely painless. Dr. Nahl was brilliant, and her team talked me through every step of the way.
I woke up the next day, pulled off my goggles, and burst into tears (I had already checked that this was okay, anticipating my reaction correctly). I had a next-​day check up appointment, where I was told that the LASIK was a success.
Since then, I have experienced no discomfort and no side-​effects. I have NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY with any procedure. I based my decision to put my vision in the hands of the La Jolla LASIK Institute based on rave reviews, and must add my own after such a wonderful experience.
THANK YOU for changing my life!

Truly an incredible experience. Dr. Nahl, Shiggy, and the entire team consistently went above and beyond to exceed all of my expectations.
I went in for a consultation and was impressed by the individual attention and willingness to answer any number of questions. The consultation took a couple of hours, but they were very thorough and explained every single detail about my eyes and what I could expect from the procedure. They explained things both from a very technical perspective as well as from a layman’s perspective. I definitely appreciated the level of detail that went into the entire consultation process.
Three days after the consultation I went in for the LASIK procedure. I arrived at 7 am and was on my way home by 7:45 am. It was a quick and painless process. Through it all, I felt so well prepared by the entire team that I knew exactly what to expect and what to do. There was literally no pain either during or after the surgery. My eyes felt a little dry, but that was the extent of any discomfort. I was able to come home and go to sleep almost immediately and woke up a couple of hours later feeling completely normal.
The next day I drove myself in for the post-​op. My vision was already ²⁰⁄₂₀ and my eyes felt like they did prior to surgery (except now I could see). Really, quite an amazing experience.
I am so grateful for Dr. Nahl and the entire La Jolla LASIK team (every single person in the office was great). They are all so professional, courteous, and helpful. If you’re on the fence about where to get your procedure done, at the very least you should go in for a consultation. If I had to do it all over again, there is no doubt that I would be back.

Who would you trust your eyes with? It is said that the ability to see clearly is more precious than jewels, but the journey to restoring vision can be daunting. With so many opinions thrown at us from every angle, how do we decide? After much deliberation on my own journey to restored vision, let me share with you what led me to Dr. Nahl.
* Surgeon
* Laser Technology
* Making the Flap
* Patient Care
* Cost
SURGEON: Finding a surgeon who is well educated, experienced, and dedicated to achieving optimal results is paramount. It’s important to evaluate education/​experience, licensing, board certification, publications, board sanctions, legal actions, and bankruptcies. Use the following websites to evaluate Dr. Nahl, as well as any other surgeons you are considering:

Dr. Nahl was educated at Harvard University (Nationally ranked #2), University of Chicago Pritzker (#10), and Stein and Doheny Eye Institute, UCLA Medical Center (#5). She not only practices brilliant scholarship with meticulous precision, but also beautifully blends her technical expertise with genuine care for her patients. Every patient is important to her, apparent through her authentic compassion and empathic listening. She is board certified, published on ocular trauma, and historically has an enhancement rate (touch up LASIK if the first procedure is not right) of less than 1%.
LASER TECHNOLOGY: The machine reshaping your eye is important, and technology has improved substantially since the late 1990s. Would you trust the original flip phone to reshape your eyes, or do you want the latest iPhone or Galaxy? Lasers are no different. Dr. Nahl is in a small group of surgeons who use the new Wavelight EX500 Excimer Laser, which is the safest, more accurate, and fastest laser, producing superior outcomes and faster recovery times. See links below:
(Click side by side comparison for chart of different lasers.)
MAKING THE FLAP: Before the laser can reshape the cornea, a small flap must be cut and folded. Either a thin blade known as a microkeratome can be used (generally cheaper with a higher profit margin for the doctor), or a bladeless (all laser) Femtosecond Laser can be used (newer more expensive technology). Both have been used for over a decade, however the bladeless Femtosecond Laser creates a more exact flap, has lower incidence of infection/​complication, and most importantly, has been linked to better visual outcomes. See articles below:
Dr. Nahl uses the Ziemer Crystal Line Femtosecond laser (all laser, no blade) to create the flap. This is the most advanced product and yields the best results. See study below:

PATIENT CARE: While education, experience, and research are important, it all comes down to who do you trust and what doctor really cares about you. The smartest doctor in the world may be «to busy», distracted, or just not interested in your care. Dr. Nahl shows her care by personally spending a great deal of time with each patient, overseeing every step in the examination process, and then purposefully limiting the number of surgeries she does so she is never rushed. She double and triple checks all measurements (calculating the refraction to reshape the cornea), and then consults with her whole team, so that you get the best possible results. Some places care more about volume; she cares more about individual outcome.
COST: Dr. Nahl is on the expensive side of the industry (though financing is available making it affordable), which is due to the cost of using the latest technology, performing a small volume of surgeries, and taking methodical, meticulous care to ensure the best results for each patient. Many of us have bought that «bargain car» to only have problems a few weeks later– Do you really want bargain LASIK? The saying-​you pay for what you get– holds true here. If you want a discount surgery, there are options out there, if you want the best possible results, come to Dr. Nahl.
I wish you all the best in your LASIK decision. It can be a confusing and stressful journey, but seeing the world in perfect clarity really is priceless. I now have better than ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision, better than I had in contacts or glasses, and it is like seeing the world for the first time in HD. May you be blessed in your own LASIK journey.
Reflections from a Presbyterian Minister and Navy Reserve Chaplan

SUMMARY:
Procedure: PRK by Dr. Nahl (²⁄₂₀₁₅). Had LASIK in 2006. I did not qualify for LASIK due to thin corneas.
There are clear reasons why Dr. Angela Nahl has a perfect rating on Unilocal.Dr. Nahl provides excellent care and her entire team is well above what one may encounter in any business practice. She is an extreme perfectionist, professional, personable, patient, and simply excellent at her craft. There are other facilities in the area that may advertise more, provide lower pricing or other incentives, but I wasn’t willing to trust my vision to save a few bucks or be just another patient in the assembly line.
Overall, this has been one of the best healthcare experiences I’ve ever had in a very long time and I highly recommend Dr. Nahl for your laser eye correction.
BACKGROUND:
I’m in my early 30s and had LASIK performed in NYC in 2006. The result was great and my vision was corrected to ²⁰⁄₁₅. I was very happy with the results but in the last few months, I became aware that I no longer had the perfect vision of 9 years ago. I researched doctors in San Diego, sought recommendations from friends and came across La Jolla LASIK Institute.
Working in the healthcare industry, I like to think that I have a broader perspective on the healthcare experience and how difficult it is to make things run smoothly. I look extreme details in workflow, patient satisfaction, use of new technology/​devices, clinical resources, etc… Dr. Nahl uses newer devices in her screening and laser procedures than what you may see elsewhere.
SCHEDULING: Excellent! Like most, I have a very busy schedule and, in addition, travel all over the country often. Dr. Nahl’s staff was extremely accommodating, even when I had to make last minute changes, and provided me with various dates and options to fit my constantly changing schedule. They were very responsive via email and phone, even during off hours, and sent me calendar reminders. Thanks Shiggy!
CONSULTATION: Excellent! Having done this before in 2006, I knew roughly what to expect. The consultation was informative and comprehensive. Dr. Nahl even reviewed my past records and gave me her recommendations. While you may meet the doctor during a consultation, I know they will not spend the time with you to review everything the way Dr. Nahl does. This is also the time where you will find out costs and payment options for the procedure recommended for you.
PRE-​OP: Another series of exams and eyes are dilated. I was examined by Dr. Nahl once again and other providers. Signed paperwork and processed payment. Was given prescriptions and VERY detailed instructions and expectations for the procedure and after.
SURGERY: PRK was performed on both eyes, but before that, there was another series of exams. Dr. Nahl verified previous results and determine optimal settings for the procedure. They even confirmed it in two different exam rooms so that I wasn’t memorizing the chart. Again, this is another sign of how much of a perfectionist Dr. Nahl is to ensure the best outcome for her patients. The surgery was fast, painless, and I even got a goodie bag and a cool pair of goggles so that I didn’t touch my eyes while sleeping.
RECOVERY: PRK and LASIK are very different when it comes to recovery. PRK takes longer and entails additional discomfort and irritation. The first few days are a bit more painful but that eventually subsides. You are given medication to help with pain. My vision remains a little blurred and hazy, as expected six days out, because the epithelium takes time to grow back and smooth out, but I am confident that the final results will be great. I am very impressed with the detailed/​customized instructions I was given to ensure the best possible outcome. I’ll provide an update to this review in a few months.
If you are considering laser eye correction, I highly endorse Dr. Angela Nahl and her team at La Jolla LASIK for your procedure. Big THANKS to Dr. Nahl, Shiggy, Jeremy and the entire team involved in my care.
Lastly, the bowl of Werther’s Original candy at the office was the second best thing about my appointments. :)

Two years later and still no complaints. Very happy with my results. Thank you, Dr Nahl.

I had 8 different consultations with Doctors across San Diego. Dr. Nahl was the only one that walked me through the whole process. Her attention to detail and her constant strive for perfection made my decision to trust someone with my eyes stress free.
Research tips:
Dr. Nahl’s staff is professional, thoughtful,
and caring.
Dr. Nahl will visit you during your 1^st consultation.
Dr. Nahl has the newest machine. It is 3 years old compared to 7 or more with the other doctors.
Whatever doctor you choose make sure you ask everything and never give into the assumptive close.
Good Luck!

I have just had LASIK eye surgery performed by Dr. Nahl and I can say that the entire process was nothing but a positive experience. The fact that I now have better than ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision is amazing by itself, but I can honestly say that Dr. Nahl and her team (especially Shiggy, Lori, and Jennifer) made the process that much easier. I am a patient that traveled from El Centro, CA to La Jolla, CA so that I could have the best eye surgeon perform my surgery. Dr. Nahl and staff went out of their way to accomodate my schedule especially since my availability was somewhat more limited as I had to travel almost 2 hours to their office. Dr. Nahl and her staff are very welcoming and I felt more than comfortable with their care. Nothing is rushed in Dr. Nahl’s office. Any questions I had were addressed and I didn’t feel rushed or like just another number with them. Dr. Nahl took time to explain the procedure personally as well as the time to examine me and address my needs herself. The eye exams to determine your prescription for the LASIK surgery are repeated by at least 2 people and eveything is done to ensure that your outcome will be nothing but the best. Dr. Nahl has a much better track record than other LASIK surgeons in that 100% of her patients achieve at least ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision following surgery. Almost 90% of her patients achieve better than ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision which I am happy to say I fall into this category.
If you are searching for the best LASIK eye surgeon to perform your surgery, please give Dr. Nahl a call. I did my research before I decided to go ahead with surgery with her and I can say that it was the best decision. Gaining perfect vision after more than 20 years wearing glasses and contacts is a lifechanging experience. Don’t wait any longer and and give Dr. Nahl a call if you are considering having this procedure done!
Thank you so much, Dr. Nahl and staff! I am thrilled with my results!!!

As a very active individual my entire life, I’ve had a ton of experience with medical professionals. From orthopedic surgeons, to physical therapists, to neurologists and everything in between. I can honestly say I have never had as great an experience with anyone as I did with Dr. Angela Nahl and her entire staff.
Anybody who is looking into getting LASIK eye surgery is surely looking for the highest quality result as possible. I was prescribed glasses in second grade and got contact lenses in 6^th. I had literally never been able to see without help my entire life. Now, at 28, one day after LASIK with Dr. Nahl, I can see.
Dr. Nahl and her staff are extremely thorough. It is very evident from the consultation all the way through the post-​op check up that the patient is is very important; even loved ones who come along to see the procedure are made to feel welcome and educated through the entire process.
Dr. Nahl uses the latest and greatest technology for the procedure as well. The facility where the surgery is done is super sleek and contemporary. You can tell that no corners are cut as you are made to feel relaxed, educated and ultimately excited about the entire process.
I chose Dr. Nahl based on reviews like the one I’m writing, as well as the many accolades she has received which are easily found through Google. I highly, HIGHLY, recommend her to everybody as she is clearly the best at what she does and has surrounded herself with a truly incredible staff!

I had consultations with five different centers before deciding that Dr. Angela Nahl at La Jolla LASIK Institute was the best eye surgeon in San Diego for me and my terrible eyeballs (contact lens prescription of –7.5 with slight astigmatism)!
I went to:
1. San Diego LASIK Center Global Laser Vision (Dr. Yaghouti)
2. San Diego LASIK Institute (Dr. Pham)
3. Motwani LASIK Institute (Dr. Motwani)
4. Gordon-​Weiss-​Schanzlin Vision Institute (Dr. Gordon)
5. La Jolla LASIK Institute (Dr. Nahl)
Dr. Nahl has been voted San Diego’s Best Laser Eye Surgeon for the past four years (2011 – 2014) by Union Tribune readers which was what first attracted me to her. Out of all the surgeons I met with, she made me feel the most comfortable. Her credentials, experience, and proven track record made me confident that she was the one I’d been looking for to entrust my precious vision with. She also uses state of the art technology (Ziemer Crystal Line and Allegretto Wavelight EX500) and takes the time to do the pre-​op and post-​op measurements/​exams herself. She’s everything you could want in a LASIK eye surgeon! She was not the cheapest, but does offer a discount if you have VSP vision insurance or are referred by a previous patient. Finally, her staff is warm and friendly too… they go above and beyond to make the process as seamless as possible. Long story short — before I could not see the big «E» that starts off a routine eye exam and now I have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision — just one day after my surgery! It is truly life changing! Big thanks to Dr. Nahl and all of her staff!
*Please feel free to private message if you have any other questions