I find LASIK surgery so powerful! For someone who has worn glasses and contact lenses for most of their life, then all of a sudden to one day be able to wake up and see, I think it’s a spectacular experience!

D. Shawn Parker, MD, FACS

– D. Shawn Parker, MD, FACS

corneal and refractive specialist

D. Shawn Parker, MD, FACS

I find LASIK surgery so powerful! For someone who has worn glasses and contact lenses for most of their life, then all of a sudden to one day be able to wake up and see, I think it’s a spectacular experience!

– D. Shawn Parker, MD, FACS

corneal and refractive specialist

Get to know Dr. Shawn Parker

D. Shawn Parker, MD, FACS, a Kentucky native, settled in Cape Girardeau at Eye Care Specialists in 1998 following his corneal and refractive fellowship in Indiana. As a corneal specialist, Dr. Shawn Parker treats complex conditions of the cornea (the front part of the eye) such as Fuchs’ dystrophy, keratoconus, keratitis, and corneal diseases and traumas. He performs corneal transplant and glaucoma surgery as well as refractive surgery including cataract and LASIK laser vision correction. Dr. Shawn Parker was the first surgeon to perform LASIK in this area and his excellent surgical outcomes and personalized patient care have made him one of the most chosen LASIK surgeons in southeast Missouri.
Dr. Shawn Parker’s clinic days for regular appointments vary. He sees patients primarily at our Cape Girardeau location typically on Thursdays, every other Wednesday and Friday, and Mondays when he’s not in surgery. He performs cataract surgery at Doctors’ Park Surgery Center four to five days per month, LASIK surgery at our Cape Girardeau office every other Friday, and more complex corneal cases at Saint Francis Medical Center every other Wednesday. He sees patients at our Marion location on Tuesday mornings and performs cataract surgery at the Marion Healthcare Surgery Center on Tuesday afternoons.
In his leisure time, Dr. Shawn Parker enjoys vacationing with his family, sharing his ophthalmic skills on mission trips, or simply testing his athletic prowess on the tennis court or golf course.

What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and a subspecialist?

All ophthalmologists are required to complete a college degree followed by eight years of schooling and training to earn their MD (doctor of medicine) or DO (doctor of osteopathic medicine). This eight years encompasses four years of medical school, a year internship, and a minimum of three years in a university and hospital-based ophthalmology residency. This training allows them to diagnose and treat more complex conditions related to the eye and perform eye surgery.

While ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye problems and conditions, subspecialists obtain advanced knowledge and training in a specific area of eye care. One to two years of additional, more in-depth training, called a fellowship, in one of the main subspecialty areas such as glaucoma, retina, cornea, and plastic surgery, is required. This added training prepares specialists to take care of more complex or specific conditions in certain areas of the eye.

Dr. Shawn Parker is a corneal and refractive specialist specializing in conditions of the cornea (the front part of the eye) such as corneal transplants, Fuchs’ disease, and keratoconus. He also performs refractive surgery such as cataract surgery with presbyopia and astigmatism-correcting lifestyle lenses and LASIK laser vision correction. He is the only corneal and refractive specialist at Eye Care Specialists.

DR. SHAWN PARKER: EXPERIENCE

EXPERIENCE

CREDENTIALS

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Board Certified

Board certification indicates that beyond his or her basic medical license, an entity recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties has certified the surgeon to practice within his or her specialty. For ophthalmology, this entity is the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). The ABO certifies the surgeon has completed specific training and continuing education related to the specialty. Click here for an informative video explaining ABO certification.

Fellowship Trained

Ophthalmologists are trained to care for all eye conditions and diseases. If an ophthalmologist is a “subspecialist” or is “fellowship trained”, he or she has undergone an additional 1-2 years of more in-depth training in a specific medical or surgical eye care. Dr. Parker completed a fellowship in Corneal and Refractive Surgery specializing in conditions and diseases affecting the cornea (the front part of the eye) and refractive surgery such as cataract or LASIK laser vision correction.

The American Colleges of Surgeons

The suffix FACS indicates that a surgeon is a "fellow" of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS was established in 1913 with the mission to improve the quality of care for surgical patients. The organization sets high standards for surgical education and practice. A fellow of the ACS has passed rigorous evaluation and his or her education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct meet the high standards required by the College.

AFFILIATIONS

The following affiliations help Dr. Parker stay abreast of technological advancements in ophthalmology and corneal refractive surgery.

American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)

The mission of the AAO is to advance the lifelong learning and professional interests of ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.s) to ensure that the public can obtain the best possible eye care. The AAO provides information and tools we utilize to educate our patients.

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)

The mission of ASCRS is to advance the art and science of ophthalmic surgery and the knowledge and skills of ophthalmic surgeons. ASCRS is a primary resource for up-to-date clinical information for surgery, published research, and regulatory information affecting the practice of medicine.

The Cornea Society

The The Cornea Society is dedicated and committed to advancements in diseases of the cornea and external eye. The Cornea Society is the single, largest subspecialty society representing the subspecialty fields of cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery.

International Society of Refractive Surgery

ISRS is a global organization and a partner of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. ISRS connects members from over 80 countries and provides up-to-date clinical and research developments in refractive, cornea, cataract, and lens-based surgery.

Missouri Society of Eye Physicians & Surgeons

The mission of MoSEPS is to represent Missouri ophthalmology by providing educational opportunities, legislative advocacy, and practice enhancement to members such that quality medical and surgical eye care is promoted for the citizens of Missouri.

EDUCATION

Fellowship: Corneal & Refractive

Corneal Consultants of Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana

Francis Price, M.D. and William Whitson, M.D., Directors

Residency: Ophthalmology

Kentucky Lions Eye Research Institute
University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky

Internship: Internal Medicine

University of Louisville School of Medicine
Louisville, Kentucky

Medical School

University of Louisville School of Medicine
Louisville, Kentucky

Doctor of Medicine

Undergraduate

Murray State University
Murray, Kentucky

Bachelor of Science – Biology

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Introduced the LASIK procedure to Southeast Missouri over 18 years ago

Served as an instructor at the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s annual meeting training other physicians on microkeratome use in LASIK

Garnered a regional reputation as the “Surgeon’s Surgeon” for LASIK

Participates in EyeCare America, a volunteer program through the AAO providing vision care to older Americans in need

Traveled to Hayti for a mission trip and to perform ophthalmology on adults and children

Served as a sub-investigator in FDA clinical trials for advancements in laser vision correction

Named Chief Resident while at the University of Louisville Department of Ophthalmology

A member of the Phi Delta Epsilon Medical Fraternity

“Dr. Parker and his staff are the best. They take care of everything so beautifully and communicate with the patient every step of the way.”

-Joanna S.

“I can’t thank you and your staff enough for the excellent care in treating my cornea problems. I have a “new eye” and my life back. You are a miracle worker and your staff is kind and professional.”

-Melissa B.

“Thank you so much for your expert care and attention before, during, and after our LASIK surgery. You put our minds at ease with your professionalism and kindness. we are amazed at the results!”

-Ioana and David W.

Corneal and Refractive Services

Caring for the needs of your Special Eyes!

Eye Care Specialists

Caring for the needs of your SPECIAL EYES!