He is both skilled and experienced, but most importantly he truly cares about his patients. He performs more cataract and lens-based surgeries, annually, than any other provider in San Diego County, and looks forward to offering his patients the best procedure for their needs.
His interests include Cataracts, Clear Lens Exchange, LASIK, Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy, Keratoconus, Corneal Ectasias, and Severe Dry Eyes. He remains at the absolute forefront of the specialty, frequently performing Laser surgeries and advanced technology intraocular lens implants long before his colleagues in San Diego get the opportunity to do so. With a desire to advance the field of ophthalmology, he takes pride in being a principle investigator in numerous research trials every year, the results of which get presented to the international community.
He earned his Medical Degree from The Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (Chicago, IL). Dr. Katzman then completed his Internship in Internal Medicine at the Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (Park Ridge, IL) where he was honored with the coveted “Intern of the Year” award. He then moved to the Washington D.C. area to complete his ophthalmology residency training at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the internationally recognized U.M. Shock Trauma Center. He then pursued subspecialty fellowship training in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery at the prestigious USC Roski Eye Institute in Los Angeles, CA, an eye hospital ranked in the top ten nationwide for over 20 years.
Throughout his career, Dr. Katzman has been fortunate to have been trained by national leaders and top surgeons here in the U.S. He has presented his research at regional and national conferences and has been published in several ophthalmology journals. He was also involved in the FDA trials for corneal collagen cross-linking before it was FDA approved in the U.S. in 2016, and is still actively involved in research as a principle investigator on several research studies every year. Upon moving to the area, Dr. Katzman quickly became the premier cataract & LASIK surgeon of San Diego. He performs thousands of refractive surgical procedures every year and has been honored with the award of San Diego Top Doctors many years in counting, as presented by the San Diego County Medical Society and San Diego Magazine. He has also received the 2021 Sharp Healthcare CORE Pillars of Excellence award, a designation that only 7 out of 18,000+ employees and physicians are honored with each year.
Dr. Katzman brings with him the ability to manage and treat the most complex of ocular conditions and is well-versed in the newest technological advancements. His interests include Cataracts, Clear Lens Exchange, LASIK, Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy, Keratoconus, Corneal Ectasias, and Severe Dry Eyes. He remains at the absolute forefront of the specialty, frequently performing Laser surgeries and advanced technology intraocular lens implants long before his colleagues in San Diego get the opportunity to do so.
He is proficient in Refractive Cataract Surgery, Clear Lens Exchange Surgery, LASIK, PRK, PTK, phakic IOLs like EVO ICL, as well as corneal surgeries including PK, DALK, INTACS, DSEK, DMEK and corneal cross-linking.
What truly sets Dr. Katzman apart, however, is his bedside manner and that he puts patient safety first and foremost. A mentor instilled in him, “you can train a monkey to do surgery, but knowing when NOT to operate makes you a true physician and surgeon.” Dr. Katzman takes the necessary time to explain ocular conditions to patients and their family, and won’t operate on anyone that doesn’t fully understand the risks and benefits to the procedure they are signing up for. He ensures each patient is comfortable every step of the way.
In his free time, Dr. Katzman enjoys wood-working, yoga, tending to his small orchard, and spending time with his wife, son, and dog.
Dr. Katzman is deeply committed to community outreach, frequently engaging in activities such as educating senior citizens about eye health. His dedication to serving the community extends beyond the clinic, where he strives to improve vision care and awareness for all, particularly among vulnerable populations.
