Stuart R. Winthrop, MD, FACS

01/07/2024

Our LASIK patient Scott is happy to be past the limitations of glasses and contacts.

“I’ve got unbelievable vision now, and finally it's been enough time since my procedure that I can surf tomorrow! I've always worn contacts for this, but they've rarely felt comfortable. Plus, I've had to keep my eyes closed tight when I'm in the water and also pray the contacts don't accidentally come out – something that's happened multiple times. Tomorrow I get to open my eyes underwater and see what that’s like!

It may sound like a small thing, but I can’t get over being able to see in the shower and first thing in the morning when I wake up! I’ve also got full peripheral vision now that I don't have glasses frames and lack of lenses in these areas.

My decision to do LASIK now came down to a number of factors. I’d been considering LASIK loosely for quite a while up until some co-workers told me about their LASIK. Hearing about their experiences really made me understand how life-changing this procedure is and why I needed to start strongly considering having it done. Considering I’m going to be moving to Oregon soon it seemed like the right time. I can take the cold, but raindrops on glasses drive me absolutely nuts! Also, after wearing glasses and contacts for so many years, I was staring down the barrel of needing to buy a new set of glasses and contacts, so I thought I’d invest in LASIK instead – an investment that would last much longer than investing in glasses and contacts which I'd have to do over and over throughout my lifetime.

Once I decided to do it, it was time to find a doctor. Dr. Winthrop was recommended to me by one of my co-workers and in speaking with some other folks, they confirmed that Dr. Winthrop was the best in town. I really appreciate the professionalism of everyone in Dr. Winthrop’s office. It was very comforting knowing I was in good hands. The machine definitely counts for something too, so it was great to know he uses the newest and best LASIK technology out there.”

12/31/2023

Our cataract patient Eddie didn’t notice his vision changes as much as his wife did.

“I had some health issues and was treated with oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber which caused my eyes’ lenses to change.
The changes crept up on me. I didn’t notice until my wife commented on my driving, which is something she has always done to some extent but she was more vocal than usual. I installed a panic button on the dashboard for her in lieu of screaming. She decided she would prefer to sleep through it but I saw her lips moving, I believe she was praying.

Seriously, though, you don’t know how bad the cataracts have gotten until you get the first eye done. It’s so amazing how the brain just adjusts for the handicap and pretty soon you’re nearly legally blind and you don’t know it!

My vision switched from far to near, but I found I could read. Really odd. The clinic with the hyperbaric chamber made no mention of the potential side effect to my vision but Dr. Winthrop knew about it. He said, ‘yeah, you’ve got 20/100 eyesight because of...’ well, he went on to explain it but the part I remember is when he said ‘we can fix it.’

He makes his suggestions about what kind of lens would work and says, ‘pick what is right for you, these are your choices.’ He councilled me but he urged me to read about it and make my own decision.

My uncle was an ophthalmalogist in Santa Barbara, one of the founding doctors of Samsum – he’s retired and in his 90s now – and he recommended Dr. Winthrop for cataracts.

I really like Dr. Winthrop. I’m grateful. He’s good people. His staff, his assistants are very punctual and respect your time. The little things add up to a really good experience.

It’s really great. Now I’m back to where I was, using readers but my far distance has improved dramatically and colors are more vibrant. My driving is now fine. I am going slow with the bathroom mirror, though, gotta sneak up on it. My mind has been making things up and the truth is out there!”

11/30/2023

Our patient Brian became a candidate for LASIK as soon as his prescription stabilized.

"I had a pretty high prescription, so doing anything without my glasses was pretty difficult. I've been wearing glasses since 2nd grade.

I did judo throughout my youth and picked up Jiu Jitsu as adult. Jiu Jitsu is now a big part of my life. A year or so ago I started wearing contacts so that I could see people's faces in the gym. Contacts would get blurry and I would be blinking constantly to clear my vision. I only wore them part time for sports so they were always in and out, needing care and cleaning.

My brother got LASIK a few years ago from Dr. Winthrop with great results. So of course I was considering it for myself since then, but I had to wait until I was sure my prescription was stable.

There was no pain in the surgery. Immediately after my LASIK procedure I could see better than I ever had before. Even with contacts!”

Are you a candidate for LASIK? Call us for a free LASIK exam to find out. (805) 730-9111

Consistently voted best eye doctor in Santa Barbara. Eye care, laser vision correction, cataract care - Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop

11/10/2023

Our LASIK patient Melissa says communication and kindness are two important qualities at Dr. Winthrop's office.

"I was originally referred to a different doctor but when I went to make an appointment I felt unsure about what would be happening.

I know several people who had LASIK done by Dr. Winthrop so I called his office. What a difference! I got so much information upfront and I knew what would be happening at each appointment. Christian was really helpful on my first exam. Oh my gosh, I love Claudia! On the day of the surgery she was wonderful. She cared about me as a person and put me at ease with her personal interest in me. Dr. Winthrop was very calming and informative before, during, and after the procedure. Everyone was very straightforward, efficient, and helpful but in a very human way. Someone rested their hand on my arm during the procedure which was a nice personal touch.

I wore hard contact lenses with a strong prescription so I got Contoura, which is optional but seemed like a good idea. For the past couple of years my contacts have felt like I had something in my eye and they started to pop out. I'm a teacher and it's really important not having to worry about contacts popping out. I've had one pop out and a student stepped on it! I tried soft lenses but my vision wasn't as crisp, causing frustration and headaches.

I enjoy hiking and it's really great now! I swear I can see trees that I didn't see before. It's really expanded my enjoyment. If you wear hard lenses, you know how annoying it is if you get dirt in your eye or they go off center and you're out hiking with dirty hands.

Everyone always says they love waking up being able to see, but the weirdest part for me is going to bed being able to see! I'm used to getting ready for bed and having everything go blurry but now my world continues to stay clear!"

10/17/2023

Our cataract patient Jesse says don't wait!

"My optometrist would tell me to get my cataracts done and I would think, no, I'm ok. But actually, I had just gotten used to it. As humans, we adjust and adapt. It's just insidious – it happens hour by hour, day by day.

Finally, I couldn't see freeway signs until I was right on top of it. My wife had already had cataract surgery with Dr. Winthrop, so it was my turn. She said, 'I'll bet you'll stop bumping into things!' She was right!

After I had the first one done, I would cover one eye at a time and compare the difference. I feel like I went from black and white photography to color. I didn't realize what I was missing. Are colors really this bright? All the lights in the house are so bright! I always thought they needed to be brighter.

Dr. Winthrop is just such a lovely person and everyone at the Surgery Center is extremely kind. It's just been great. I opted to get distance vision and have an astigmatism corrected. Dr. Winthrop said he hadn't seen cataracts as hardened as mine in a long time. I could have had it done several years ago. It's a miracle really. I'm so happy to be living in the world today of lasers, ultrasound, and corrective lenses.

Now I've had both eyes done and I'm happier than I can tell you. It has a big emotional and psychological impact. I feel so much better.

So that's my message, don't wait like I did. If you get it done sooner you can enjoy it longer. And I would recommend Dr. Winthrop to anybody!"

Consistently voted best eye doctor in Santa Barbara. Eye care, laser vision correction, cataract care - Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop

10/07/2023

Our LASIK patient Sophie is out on the water a lot – and not missing a thing!

“Not having to worry about multiple pairs of glasses anymore…it’s great and sometimes I forget that I don’t need to worry about them anymore!

My LASIK procedure was delayed quite a while because of COVID. Meanwhile, Dr. Winthrop now has the latest LASIK system, Wavelight EX500 with CONTOURA Vision. This uses a next level guidance system that uses a formula unique to your eyes. I feel comfortable with Dr. Winthrop, and I know he has a great reputation in town – I spoke to several physicians who know and recommend him. I wanted to ensure the best possible LASIK outcome, so it made sense to see the best doctor with the best system.

I really like the way Dr. Winthrop always asks what questions I have. It is so nice to have an open opportunity to ask question, no matter how stupid they feel, directly to the doctor!”

09/16/2023

Our cataract patient Patrick now has his best vision ever and he's taking in all the beauty Santa Barbara offers!

"The start of the cataracts was detected by another eye doctor 4 or 5 years ago. Progressively over recent years it's gotten worse. So I decided to get an appointment with Dr. Winthrop. I'm nearly 80 and he said to me, 'you might as well enjoy good vision for as long as you can.'

It's quite amazing. Not only did I get my cataracts removed, I got my vision slightly corrected. I had a slight astigmatism that I didn't wear glasses for and it was fixed completely by Dr. Winthrop.

Dr. Winthrop recommended we do the 2 eyes separately, so after getting my left eye sorted out, it was amazing how the vision in my left eye overtook the poor eye. Driving was easy. So I thought, even if my right eye doesn't turn out well, I still can see really well now. But when my right eye was done, after about a week, I could see even better with my right eye! So my vision is better than 20/20.

I must confess, also, I was somewhat worried to do the surgery. You think if it doesn't work, if I lose my vision...But the whole team there is so well organized. They give you all the information you need to make a proper decision."

Consistently voted best eye doctor in Santa Barbara. Eye care, laser vision correction, cataract care - Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop

09/03/2023

Our LASIK patient Victoria says she feels so free with her new crisp vision.

"I am always on the go – whether it's going to the gym very early in the morning, spending time walking/running/biking outdoors, playing tennis/pickleball, or traveling the world – so having to rely on my contacts and/or glasses felt limiting. It sounds silly but parts of my life felt controlled by my vision. I always wanted to be free of this and finally decided to get LASIK.

My main concern was choosing a doctor I felt comfortable with. I heard wonderful things about Dr. Winthrop and decided to book a consultation with him. His associate Christian helped with the initial consultation, spent a significant amount of time analyzing my eyes, and made me feel excited about LASIK. Dr. Winthrop was very thorough, answered all questions and was never "pushy" as some doctors can be. It felt like it was 100% my choice and I was never being pushed into doing it. I felt completely at ease with Dr. Winthrop's knowledge and expertise.

The procedure was incredibly easy with no pain or discomfort. I was amazed at truly how quick it was. I think I spent a total of 45 minutes in the office, and it was only about 5-10 in the operating room, with the actual "lasering" about 3 seconds. I know LASIK is scary for many people, but you really don't even have time to be nervous because it's over before you know it. Dr. Winthrop, Christian and his associates were so kind throughout the procedure and had excellent bedside manner. I also sincerely appreciate that Dr. Winthrop gives his direct phone number to you in case you have questions and that he follows up with each patient on the same day of the procedure. Within 24 hours, I had 20/20 vision!

I finally feel free and able to go about my life without having to remember my contacts and glasses. It really does feel life-changing in many ways. First, I have experienced fewer headaches which is a huge win for me. Secondly, being able to wake up and just go about my day is really nice. Lastly and most importantly, as a woman living in a big city, I am extremely vigilant but unfortunately, even with my contacts, my vision wasn't perfect. I felt nervous about being out and not being able to see clearly, but with my new eyes post-LASIK, I feel confident to walk around freely knowing I can see far distances and very clearly. My sight is so crisp, I've truly never been able to see this good!

I can't stop telling people about it and how life-changing it has been for me. I feel so free!"

Consistently voted best eye doctor in Santa Barbara. Eye care, laser vision correction, cataract care - Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop

08/01/2023

Our patient Karen says cataract surgery today is not like it was in her grandmother's era.

"I'm so happy that I had it done and I'd recommend it to anyone on the fence. It's just such a simple procedure today. It's not the ordeal my grandmother went through!

The procedure was so simple and quick. There was no pain associated with the surgery at all. Everyone in Dr. Winthrop's office was so nice and also at the surgical center. They were so reassuring.

It's made driving, playing golf, gardening...everything better. Before everything white was a cream color; now it's bright white and that happened right away. I had LASIK around 20 years ago but recently had begun wearing glasses again. After this cataract surgery, I don't need those anymore.

It's great. I have a huge rose garden and it's just beautiful right now. Pinks, reds, yellows – it's just beautiful.

Yesterday I was out on the golf course and every time I could find my ball – one huge plus for me!"

Consistently voted best eye doctor in Santa Barbara. Eye care, laser vision correction, cataract care - Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop

07/05/2023

Our cataract patient Sara loves that she can see really well when she wakes up.

"I have astigmatism and was a contact lens wearer for about 40 years, but in the past 4 or 5 years I had to give them up and wear glasses, which I couldn’t get used to. I was only on my second pair of glasses when it was time for me to have cataract surgery. I've actually been looking forward to it! It's worth paying for the fancy lens, otherwise I would still have to wear glasses!

I was really happy with Dr. Winthrop's practice and in all his dealings with me he was such a super-caring doctor. He goes through everything really well.

My vision is now excellent! It's taken away all of the struggle of multiple glasses and I can just pick up any old sunglasses and it doesn't matter much if I lose them.”

Consistently voted best eye doctor in Santa Barbara. Eye care, laser vision correction, cataract care - Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop

06/26/2023

Our cataract patient Margaret says she had been having difficulty driving at night.

"The impact of cataracts on your driving, especially at night, is very limiting. I also had retinal issues, so removing the cataracts was so important. I stayed off the freeway altogether!

Plenty of my friends have had cataract surgery and one of them interviewed three of the most prominent eye doctors in town and she said Dr. Winthrop was the one to use. Dr. Winthrop was more the perfectionist, which I think is a big positive when you're having something done to our eyes! And she was right – with Dr. Winthrop and Christian, it was top-notch all the way through. Everyone in the office knew their job and did it well."

Consistently voted best eye doctor in Santa Barbara. Eye care, laser vision correction, cataract care - Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop

06/07/2023

Our LASIK patient Pranav says that cycling has been a completely new experience!

“Getting Lasik done was a total game changer! It’s like I’m wearing contact lenses, but best of all – it’s actually my eyes! I’m proud that I can finally say goodbye to the daily hassle of dealing with contacts. Thank you Dr. Winthrop!”

Consistently voted best eye doctor in Santa Barbara. Eye care, laser vision correction, cataract care - Dr. Stuart R. Winthrop