Leaders in Medical Eye Care and Eye Surgery Since 1946

78+ Years of Excellence in Eye Care for the Inland Northwest

Delivering the highest standard of medical and surgical ophthalmology services within a professional and compassionate patient centered environment. Our highly trained staff and outstanding physicians strive to be the leaders in medical eye care and eye surgery by providing the highest quality patient care.

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Information:

Empire Eye Physicians is working to manage this rapidly evolving situation as you and your family’s health & vision is our highest priority. For more information please visit our COVID-19 resource page HERE.

At Empire Eye Physicians, we have board-certified eye surgeons who provide the most advanced surgical techniques by using innovative, state-of-the art technology. Our staff and physicians complete continuing education and advanced training regularly in order to maintain best practices. Learn more about the procedures that we specialize in:

Cataract

As we get older cataracts will eventually develop, causing cloudy vision and, if left untreated, blindness. Empire Eye can help! With our team of experienced surgeons, physicians, and staff, we provide the latest in cataract surgery as well as premium lens implant options that can also help to reduce your need for glasses. Empire Eye Physicians specialize in:

  • Laser Cataract Surgery
  • Lens Implants
  • Light Adjustable Lenses
  • YAG Laser
  • SMILE

    SMILE is an advanced alternative to LASIK for the correction of nearsightedness, providing amazingly clearer vision in about 30 minutes. SMILE is less invasive, safer, and quicker procedure with a shorter recovery time compared to LASIK procedures.

  • SMILE
  • Medical Retina

    Regularly scheduled eye exams are the best way to catch a retina condition before severe vision loss occurs. The Retina specialists at Empire Eye can diagnose and work out a treatment plan to help maintain your vision for life. If you experience damage to your retina, Empire Eye will work with your eye care physician and use state-of-the-art diagnostics to assess your condition. Empire Eye Physicians specialize in:

  • Medical Retina
  • Cornea

    The cornea is the window to the world. At Empire Eye, we specialize in the latest corneal surgical techniques, including corneal collagen cross-linking and corneal transplants, phototherapeutic keratectomy, and superficial keratectomy. We also offer treatment for dry eye disease. Empire Eye Physicians specialize in:

  • Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL)
  • Corneal Transplants
  • Phototherapeutic Keratectomy
  • Superficial Keratectomy
  • Medical Eye Care

    Infection and irritation are common eye conditions that usually can be treated without surgery. Empire Eye Physicians works with other providers, such as optometric physicians, primary care physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to manage your eye health in a holistic way. This practice, called co-management, can be the most successful way to give you the best patient care. Empire Eye Physicians specialize in:

  • Medical Eye Care
  • Glaucoma

    Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve and is the second leading cause of blindness. Early detection and proper treatment are key to retaining vision and quality of life. Empire Eye has the region’s leading glaucoma specialists, the latest diagnostic tools, and cutting-edge treatments including laser and minimally invasive surgery. Empire Eye Physicians specialize in:

  • Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery
  • Topical Treatments
  • Dry Eye Treatment

    Dry eye is a condition that affects a large number of us. Initially, dry eye may be a relatively minor problem, but it can cause serious difficulty for some people. The management of dry eye can vary significantly from patient to patient, and we have more treatment choices than ever before. At Empire Eye, we will help you determine what treatment program will be the most appropriate for you. Empire Eye Physicians specialize in:

  • Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
  • LipiFlow
  • Refractive Surgery

    Refractive surgery is used to correct common eye disorders such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Our surgeons at Empire Eye are highly skilled and experienced, nationally recognized and dedicated to our “patient first” philosophy of personalized care. Empire Eye Physicians specialize in:

  • Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL)
  • LASIK
  • Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)
  • Refractive Lens Exchange
  • SMILE
  • Vuity

    As we age, it becomes harder to see things up close. But now there’s VUITY™. The first and only FDA-approved prescription eye drop to treat age-related Blurry Near Vision (presbyopia) in adults. Empire Eye Physicians specialize in:

  • VUITY
  • Conditions Treated at Empire Eye Physicians

    Changing the way you see the world

    At Empire Eye Physicians, we have board-certified eye surgeons who provide the most advanced surgical techniques by using innovative, state-of-the art technology. Our staff and physicians complete continuing education and advanced training regularly in order to maintain best practices.

    “Our commitment to our patients is to provide them with the best ophthalmology, clinically and surgically, that is available today.”

    – Christopher Sturbaum, M.D.

    The Empire Eye Physicians Team

    Our Board Certified Surgeons and Specialty Trained Physicians

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    Mark Kontos, M.D.

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    Christopher Sturbaum, M.D.

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    Jason Croskrey, M.D.

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    Casey Claypool, O.D.

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    Ashlin Sturbaum Zarate, O.D.

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    Jessica Couch, O.D.

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    It’s like a whole new world

    "Thank you, Empire Eye Physicians. I thought I could see colors, but as I got older I didn’t knowI was painting brighter and brighter. After cataractsurgery, it’s like a whole new world! Like being blind and now you can see."

    – Christina, Artist/Cataract Surgery Patient
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    A life changing event

    "I started wearing glasses when I was 6 years old. Thank you so much for your care as I went through such a life changing event—iLASIK! I appreciate the individualized care and all that you do to improve peoples’ lives!"

    – Rebecca, iLasik Patient
    Watch Rebecca's Story

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