Dr. Beitman uses the LASIK procedure to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.

Ophthalmologist Robert Beitman, MD, ’76, closed down his traditional optical practice, stopped doing eye examinations and is committing himself solely to laser eye surgery and vision corrective procedures. Dr. Beitman, who was the first U.S.-trained surgeon to perform the LASIK procedure in Michigan, has performed nearly 15,000 vision correction procedures, including more than 5,000 LASIK patients, during his 20-year career.

Also unusual is the fact that Dr. Beitman does not operate in off-site surgery centers. Instead, he has obtained funding to get a VISX laser instrument in his own office. Now, Dr. Beitman is among the first laser surgeons in Michigan to have his own laser system, enabling him to perform LASIK in his own offices at the Beitman Laser Eye Institute in West Bloomfield, Mich.

“All doctors in private practice today need to be CEOs too, and that requires foresight and, occasionally, risk-taking,” said Dr. Beitman.

Dr. Beitman received his medical degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1976 and did his ophthalmology residency training at Sinai Hospital. He is a member of the International Society of Refractive Surgery and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and is the founder and past president of the Michigan Keratorefractive Society.