Thom joins eye department at LRH

By Trisha Marczak (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, April 19, 2008

Residents of Fergus Falls won’t have to travel outside the city to receive Lasik and refractive eye surgery anymore. Ophthalmologist and Fergus Falls native, Dr. Steven Thom, will be traveling from Fargo three days a week to offer his services at the Fergus Falls Medical Group and Lake Region Healthcare.

“I enjoyed my time growing up in Fergus Falls,” he said. “I look forward to coming back and getting acquainted with old associates and doing what I can to help the community.”

Current Fergus Falls Opthamologist, Dr. Pearson is retiring at the end of April. Dr. Thom’s relocation of services was instigated by this news, and the fact that Fergus Falls has yet to offer Lasik surgery to its patients. Currently, patients seeking Lasik or Refractive eye surgery are required to travel to Alexandria, Fargo or St. Cloud. As of March 12, residents will be able to receive the benefits of the surgery from their own healthcare center. He said there is a big need for the technology in this area.

Dr. Thom grew up in Fergus Falls, before heading to Minneapolis to attend college at Oxford University. He earned his medical degree at the University of Minnesota and completed his residency in Pennsylvania, where he spent a great deal of time researching laser eye correction surgery. He said he chose his profession because of the variety of tasks it allows him to tackle.

“I enjoy both the medical and the surgical side of the medical field. It’s a good way to marry the two.”

He also enjoys that, unlike other medical professions, Ophthalmologists make people better. Doctors who deal with, for example, Cancer, or other detrimental illnesses can’t always promise their patients the best.

Lasik eye surgery was approved by the FDA in 1995 and is designed to help eliminate or drastically reduce a patient’s dependency on eye glasses. The surgery uses a laser to reshape the cornea, leaving patients with improved eyesight and focussing abilities. Typically, it is performed on patients who suffer from nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism. Patients generally see results within five days of the procedure.

Dr. Thom will also bring his expertise in pediatric and diabetic eye conditions, eye muscle surgery, tearing disorders, glaucoma and eyelid tumors. He will get to work diagnosing and treating conditions of the eye on Monday, May 12 at the Fergus Falls Medical Group. His doors will open every Monday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m.

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