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Wolfe Eye Clinic was founded in Marshalltown in 1919 by Otis R. Wolfe, M.D., and Frederick L. Wahrer, M.D. This partnership became the foundation for a group practice that would later include Dr. Wolfe, his three sons and other surgeons who were instrumental in the advancement of eye care. In the early years, the Wolfe family group practice was among the first of its kind to provide comprehensive eye care in a clinical setting. During these past 87 years, Wolfe Eye Clinic physicians have been dedicated to bringing new methods of treating eye conditions that had once been untreatable. Motivated by the needs of our patients, we insist on remaining at the forefront of technology. This commitment dates back to the 1930s, when Wolfe Eye Clinic doctors were leaders in developing modern intracapsular surgery that made cataract surgery safer and recovery time more rapid. Over the years, innovations in cataract surgery developed at Wolfe Eye Clinic often became the standard of care nationwide. In fact, physicians at Wolfe Eye Clinic designed one of the first one-piece plastic lens implants, helping to restore vision more consistently after cataract surgery. To date, we have operated on more than 150,000 cataract patients, restoring sight and providing a new lease on life for many. These procedures also helped change the course of cataract care throughout the world. Today, Wolfe Eye Clinic doctors are known for writing textbooks on advanced cataract surgery techniques and for the advancement of innovations, including topical eyedrop anesthesia for cataract surgery. Our physicians even hold patents on surgical instruments and devices. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness and can be difficult to diagnose and control. We have treated glaucoma for more than 87 years, and our doctors have written articles on advanced glaucoma care - including treating it surgically during cataract procedures. In 1985, Wolfe Eye Clinic doctors began using laser light to treat glaucoma. Today, we have lasers in each of our seven main offices. Used with computerized diagnostics, lasers have made the treatment of glaucoma even more successful. Wolfe physicians are also active in the treatment of retinal disease, including macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and retinal detachment to name a few. In 1968, Wolfe Eye Clinic doctors began using the Xenon arc laser to treat previously untreatable retinal diseases. Today, advanced procedures such as pneumatic retinopexy (placing an air bubble in the eye to hold the retina in place), and retinal injections for the treatment of macular degeneration, are reducing the need for traditional surgery and making the restoration of vision for patients with retinal disease more successful than ever before. In 1984, our surgeons were among the first in Iowa to perform keratorefractive surgery, the earliest form of vision correction surgery, for patients with myopia. And in 1994, we were the first in Iowa to be involved in FDA clinical trials for the excimer laser. With FDA approval of the excimer laser for the treatment of nearsightedness and farsightedness with astigmatism, modern LASIK laser vision correction surgery was born. To date, Wolfe surgeons have performed nearly 25,000 LASIK laser vision correction procedures, helping thousands of Iowans to see more clearly without glasses or contact lenses.