Young H. Choi, MD: Board-Certified Ophthalmologist Serving Birmingham, AL
Dr. Young H. Choi
Dr. Young H. Choi is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has been voted as one of America’s top ophthalmologists in Southeast Alabama. He is the owner and medical director of his own private practice, Young H. Choi, M.D. Eye Surgery Center in Vestavia Hills has been in practice for over 15 years. He believes in a personalized patient approach and takes his time to not only listen to his patients’ concerns but also to educate them on all of their treatment options. He loves guiding patients through their treatment process step by step so they feel safe and confident in the care they receive. Dr. Young H. Choi specializes in general ophthalmology, refractive cataract surgery, and glaucoma treatment.
Skills and Specialties
As a highly trained ophthalmologist, Dr. Choi is an expert in the complex anatomy of the eye and in the medical and surgical treatment of ocular diseases. He has performed countless ocular surgeries and specializes in cataract removal, refractive lens exchange, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), and goniotomy for congenital glaucoma. He is especially known for his expertise in refractive surgeries, such as LASIK and SMILE. In addition, he is the first ocular surgeon in Alabama to use the Zeiss VisuMax® femtosecond laser for precision refractive surgery.
Education and Training
Dr. Choi graduated from medical school and served his general surgery internship at Loma Linda University School of Medicine. Upon completing his initial training, he served his ophthalmology residency at Loma Linda Medical Center in Southern California. To advance his skills further, he completed a focused fellowship in refractive surgery to gain specialized training in modern LASIK techniques. Dr. Choi continues to advance his skills by studying the latest surgical advancements and cutting-edge technologies available for ocular care. He prides himself on being one of the most forward-thinking eye surgeons in the region and believes state-of-the-art tools and methods allow for greater improvement in safety, recovery time, and long-term results for his patients.
Awards and Recognitions
Dr. Choi has been widely recognized by his peers and patients for his outstanding bedside manner, personable service, and excellence in ocular care, earning him the following accolades:
- Compassionate Doctor Recognition by Vitals
- Patient’s Choice Award by Vitals
- On-Time Doctor Award by Vitals
- Honor Roll by Healthgrades
- Speedy Response by Zocdoc
- Scheduling Hero by Zocdoc
Transformative Experiences With Dr. Choi
Dr. Choi has helped countless people regain optimal vision so they can enjoy life with the ones they love. We invite you to read through our patients’ stories, testimonials, and feedback to learn more about what you can expect from Young H. Choi Eye Surgery Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist?
An ophthalmologist is an MD (medical doctor) who has a thorough education and understanding of every part of the eye, how it functions, the disorders and other conditions that affect it, and how to diagnose and treat them (beyond superficial treatments like glasses, contacts, and eyedrops). Ophthalmologists, like Dr. Choi, are also trained and licensed to perform a wide range of procedures on the eyes and have opportunities to specialize in specific areas of ophthalmic surgery.
Optometrists also go to school to learn a lot about the eyes, but they do so for less time and with less intensive study than ophthalmologists, and they are not MDs. Their expertise involves testing a patient’s vision and writing prescriptions to correct common vision problems with glasses, contacts, or eye drops. If a patient has a rare or uncommon eye disorder or disease, or wants to undergo surgery to correct vision problems, their optometrist will have to refer them to an ophthalmologist. Most Birmingham-area optometrists know and trust Dr. Choi’s expertise and refer patients to him for LASIK, SMILE, and other ophthalmological surgeries. -
Is Dr. Choi board-certified?
Yes! Dr. Choi is certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
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Where does Dr. Choi see patients?
Dr. Choi sees patients at his offices in Vestavia, Northport, Selma, and Prattville (Alabama).
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What is the difference between LASIK and SMILE?
SMILE and LASIK procedures are both types of laser eye surgery that help patients achieve better vision quality and have high success rates and patient satisfaction, but they differ in a few ways.
Corneal flap repositioning: SMILE does not involve this; LASIK does.
Dry Eye Risk: Lower for SMILE, higher for LASIK.
Ideal Candidates: For SMILE, it’s patients with thin corneas and chronic dry eyes. For LASIK, it’s patients with average corneal thickness (not too thin or thick).
Recovery Time: Both procedures have an average recovery time of 1-2 days. This isn’t how long healing takes; it’s how long it usually takes patients to recover before they can return to driving and work, and to know how much their vision was improved by the procedure(s). SMILE recovery, in this sense, sometimes takes an additional third day. LASIK poses a higher potential for delayed healing and an overall longer healing period than SMILE.
FDA‑Approved Range: SMILE specifically helps correct myopia (nearsightedness; easier to see things that are closer to the eyes than far away) up to –10, and astigmatism up to 3 diopters. LASIK addresses a wide range of vision problems, not just myopia or astigmatism.
So, which should you choose? It all comes down to your vision needs and preferences.
Regardless of your pick, we offer the best of both types of laser eye surgery in Birmingham, AL. -
How do I know if I’m a candidate for laser vision correction?
Your eligibility depends on several factors, starting with the type of laser eye surgery you’re considering.
Most patients with myopia or astigmatism are candidates for SMILE surgery, though Dr. Choi has some more specific recommendations here on our dedicated SMILE information page.
Candidacy for LASIK can vary more because it can treat a wider range of conditions. Learn more about LASIK eligibility on our dedicated LASIK page here.
Although reading about these laser vision correction surgeries on the internet can certainly inform you about the procedures and which one you’re more likely to be eligible for, the only way to know for certain is by consultation. Contact us today to schedule your consultation, and we will examine your eyes to determine exactly which surgery you are eligible for and, if there’s more than one, which one is best for you. -
Does Dr. Choi perform cataract surgery?
Yes, Dr. Choi performs refractive cataract surgery at our surgery center. Learn more on our dedicated cataract surgery information page here.
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What insurance does the practice accept?
It depends on the surgery and the condition it is treating.
Medicare and most insurance plans cover medically necessary cataract surgery and a standard lens. Premium lens upgrades that reduce your need for glasses are usually out-of-pocket. Our staff can help you check your plan.
At this time, Medicare, traditional health insurance, and standard vision insurance plans consider LASIK and SMILE surgeries as nonmedically necessary, elective procedures and do not cover them.
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How do I schedule a consultation with Dr. Choi?
Scheduling your consultation with Dr. Choi is easy! Just fill out and submit the form on our contact page, or call us, and our team will communicate the next steps from there with you to get you scheduled.
