Board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist with over a decade of clinical and surgical experience. Delivering advanced eye care in Seattle-Bellevue and Renton, WA.
Dr. Schmitz is a highly accomplished ophthalmologist bringing extensive surgical and academic expertise to private practice.
Clinical Expertise: Specializes in advanced vision correction, including Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), LASIK, PRK, SMILE, ICLs, cataract surgery, and glaucoma treatments.
Academic Excellence: Graduated valedictorian from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and elected to Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) honor medical society.
Advanced Training: Completed a prestigious glaucoma fellowship at UCLA's Stein Eye Institute.
Naval Background: Built a distinguished 24-year Naval career as a surgeon, educator, and Department Chairman at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Selected as Senior Naval Ophthalmologist of the year by the Society of Military Ophthalmologists and Meyer Wiener resident teacher of the year.
Personal Life: Enjoys spending time with his wife, Kati, and supporting their five children in their athletic pursuits.
Career Procedures
Residents & Fellows Surgically Supervised
Procedures Per Month
Specializing in comprehensive solutions to protect and restore your sight using cutting-edge technology.
CORNEAL & LENS-BASED
Providing authoritative medical-legal consulting and expert testimony.
Quick, authoritative screening of case viability.
Deciphering complex ophthalmic imaging (OCT, Pentacam, Visual Fields).
Clear, credible communication in depositions and at trial.
Real reviews from our patients.
Dr. Joseph Schmitz is deeply committed to advancing global eye care, dedicating his clinical and surgical expertise to underserved communities worldwide.
During his military service, Dr. Schmitz deployed aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). He participated in vital medical mission stops in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka as part of Pacific Partnership 2018. Continuing his service, he also deployed for Panamax Alpha 2023, a specialized military mission dedicated exclusively to ophthalmic surgery in Panama.
In addition to his military deployments, Dr. Schmitz has completed nine humanitarian surgical missions with Benevolent Missions International (BMI) to Corozal, Belize, and Sigatoka, Fiji. Driven by a desire to create lasting change, he now serves as a BMI Board Member and the Medical Director of Individual Missions. In these leadership roles, he helps oversee operations for initiatives that deliver approximately 100 life-changing surgeries and 500 clinical patient visits per mission.
