Dr. Robert T. Lin, M.D.
Board-Certified LASIK and Refractive Surgeon
Dr. Lin is Southern California’s leading authority in laser vision correction and one of the nation’s most experienced refractive surgeons. As the pioneer of Micro-LASIK® and founder of the #1 ZEISS SMILE & EVO ICL center in the USA, he has successfully performed over 70,000 procedures in his 25+ year career. With elite training from UC Berkeley and UCLA’s prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute, Dr. Lin is an expert at customizing LASIK, SMILE, and ICL procedures to each patient’s unique eyes and lifestyle, ensuring optimal visual outcomes with the most advanced technology available.
MEET DR. LIN
Dr. Robert T. Lin founded IQ Laser Vision in 1999 with a mission to deliver exceptional vision correction experiences. For more than 25 years, he has been at the forefront of refractive surgery innovation, ensuring that all IQ Laser Vision Centers utilize cutting-edge technology while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
With over 70,000 successful refractive procedures performed, Dr. Lin stands among California’s most experienced eye surgeons. He believes deeply in personalized care and treats every patient like family, taking time to understand individual needs and concerns.
Pioneer of Micro-LASIK®
Dr. Lin is a recognized pioneer in ultra-thin flap LASIK, holding the trademark for Micro-LASIK® (Trademark #2681144, U.S. Patent Office). His groundbreaking work has been featured on nationally televised programs including Health Watch and Inside Edition, where he has discussed the advantages of Micro-LASIK® and other advanced laser eye procedures.
As a leader in refractive eye surgery, Dr. Lin offers patients access to the latest vision-enhancing technologies, including:
- Custom Comfort Micro-LASIK
- SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction – no flap LASIK)
- EVO Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
AREAS OF CARE
LASIK
Advanced laser vision correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism
CREDENTIALS & RECOGNITION
- Medical Degree (M.D.): UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California (1990-1994)
- Ophthalmology Residency: Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine (1995-1998)
- Medical Internship: UCLA-San Fernando Valley Program (1994-1995)
- Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley – A.B. in Economics, Magna Cum Laude (1986-1990)
- Diplomat, American Board of Ophthalmology (2001-present)
- Assistant Clinical Professor, Emeritus: UCLA School of Medicine (2002-present)
- Clinical Preceptor: Western University of Health Sciences, Doctor of Osteopathic and Optometry Programs (2016-present)
- Named “America’s Top Ophthalmologists” by the Consumer’s Research Council of America
- Founding Member, Refractive Surgery Alliance
- #1 ZEISS SMILE & EVO ICL Laser Vision Center in the USA
RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS
Dr. Lin is committed to advancing refractive surgery through peer-reviewed research, international presentations, and surgeon education. He actively trains fellow surgeons in ZEISS SMILE and EVO ICL techniques at leading academic institutions and national conferences.
Selected Scientific Publications & Presentations
- Helm CJ, Holland GN, Lin RT, et al. A Comparison of Topical Antibiotics in an Animal Model of Mycobacterium fortuitum keratitis. Am. J. Ophthalmology. 116:700-707, 1994.
- Lin RT, Holland GN, Helm CJ, et al. Comparative Efficacy of Topical Ciprofloxacin against Mycobacteria fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonae in an Animal Model of nontuberculous mycobacterial keratitis. Am. J. Ophthalmology. 117:657-662, 1994.
- Lin RT, Maloney RK. Epithelial Ingrowth After Lamellar Refractive Surgery. Invest Ophthalm Vis Sci. 1997; 38(suppl): 773.
- Lin RT, Maloney RK. Flap Complications in Lamellar Refractive Surgery. Eighth Annual Research and Alumni Day, Los Angeles, CA, 1997.
- Lin RT, Maloney RK. Epithelial Ingrowth After Lamellar Refractive Surgery. ARVO Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1997.
- Lin RT, Maloney RK. Flap Complications in Lamellar Refractive Surgery. ISRS at AAO Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 1997.
- Lin RT, Maloney RK. Incidence of Displaced Flaps or Folds After LASIK. Invest Ophthalm Vis Sci. 1998; 39(suppl): 245.
- Lin RT, Maloney RK. Incidence of Displaced Flaps or Folds After LASIK. ARVO Annual Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1998.
- Lin RT, Maloney RK. Flap Complications Associated With Lamellar Refractive Surgery. Am. J. Ophthalmology. 127:129-136, 1999.
- Lin RT, Bradley J, Barajas DJ, et al. Safety of LASIK Performed Under Flaps Thinner Than 100 Microns. ISRS at AAO Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2001.
- Lin RT, Barajas DJ, Bradley J, et al. Safety and Accuracy of Creating Corneal Flaps Thinner Than 100 Microns. ISRS at AAO Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 2001.
- Lin RT, Kim ES, Bradley J, Barajas DJ. LASEK: A Safe and Effective Option for Patients that Cannot Safely Undergo LASIK. First International LASEK Congress, Houston, TX, 2002.
- Bradley J, Kang R, Barajas DJ. Safety of Relifting 100-micron Flaps During LASIK Enhancements. ASCRS Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, 2002.
- Lin RT, Bradley J, Kang R, Barajas DJ. Safety and Accuracy of Corneal Flaps of 100 Microns or Less for LASIK. ASCRS Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, 2002.
- Lin RT, Lu S, Wang LL, Kim ES, Bradley J. Safety of LASIK Performed Under Ultra-thin Corneal Flaps. J. Refractive Surgery. 19 Suppl, 2003.
- Lin RT, Bradley J, Kim ES. Comparison of Flaps Created by Blades of 3 Manufacturers for the Nidek MK-2000 Microkeratome. ASCRS Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, 2003.
- Liu ET, Sella R, Goernert P, Kim K, Chen H, Lin RT. Refractive Results with SMILE Using Lower Energy Settings in the United States. PLoS ONE, 2021.
- Doane, Augustine, Chu, Foster, Hamilton, Lin, Rivers, Schallhorn, Walton, Wiley. Best Practices & Experience with SMILE. Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, June 2020.
- Panelist: “Practice Development and Marketing of EVO ICL.” U.S. Surgeon Council Summit Program, San Antonio, TX, November 2022.
- Lin RT. Recommending the EVO ICL to Patients. CRSToday, 2023.
- Lin RT. Arcscan Insight 100: Very High Frequency Ultrasound Provides Accurate and Repeatable Imaging and Biometry. Submitted 2023.
- Panelist: SMILE Experts Program, ASCRS Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 2023.
View Dr. Lin’s full academic profile: Google Scholar | PubMed | ResearchGate | Refractive Surgery Alliance
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
- EENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai, China
- First Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (1996-present)
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (1997-present)
- International Society of Refractive Surgery (1997-present)
- Refractive Surgery Alliance (2015-present)
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATIONS
Dr. Lin is certified and experienced in the most advanced laser vision correction platforms and technologies:
Excimer Lasers:
- Allegretto Wavelight
- Nidek EC-5000
- VISX Star
- Summit Apex
Femtosecond Lasers:
- VisuMax Femtosecond Laser (SMILE)
- Ziemer LDV Femtosecond Laser (All-Laser LASIK)
Advanced Procedures:
- Topography-Guided Customized Aspheric Treatment Zone (CATz) – Nidek
- Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
- Conductive Keratoplasty (CK)
- Intacs corneal stromal rings
- Kamra inlay
- Multiple microkeratome systems (Hansatome, Moria, Nidek)
DR. LIN LOOKS OUT FOR YOU
“I get to be part of a team providing patients the gift of sight, painlessly and with minimal recovery time. It’s such a privilege!” – Dr. Lin
As a former LASIK patient himself, Dr. Lin understands firsthand the life-changing impact of vision correction surgery. This personal experience drives his commitment to recommending only what is truly best for each patient. If someone isn’t a good candidate for a particular procedure, Dr. Lin will be honest and explore alternative options.
His approach combines:
- Personalized Assessment: Every eye is unique, and Dr. Lin takes time to understand your vision goals
- Honest Recommendations: Integrity in determining candidacy and selecting the right procedure
- Advanced Technology: Access to the latest FDA-approved laser systems and techniques
- Comprehensive Care: From initial consultation through post-operative follow-up
BOOK YOUR CONSULTATION
Determining if you are a candidate for laser vision correction starts with your personalized consultation. The consultation is completely free with no obligations. This enables us to perform a few optometry exams to understand your current vision issues. Once that is determined your vision correction options can be presented and discussed with you.
