Bellevue & Renton, Washington

Cataract and Refractive Lens Surgery in Bellevue

Joseph W. Schmitz, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist and UCLA fellowship-trained glaucoma surgeon at SharpeVision. He helps patients plan cataract and refractive lens surgery around their eye health, daily activities and goals for glasses use.

A lens decision starts with more than a prescription. The cornea, retina, optic nerve, prior refractive surgery and the amount of astigmatism can all change which options make sense. This site explains those decisions in plain language. Patients receive an individualized recommendation after an examination.

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Dr. Joseph W. Schmitz, MD - Cataract and Glaucoma Surgeon in Bellevue, WA
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Joseph W. Schmitz, MD Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Patient Education

Individualized Cataract & Lens Planning

Explore plain-language guides written by Dr. Schmitz to help you prepare for a cataract or refractive lens evaluation.

Cataract Surgery & Lens Selection

CHOOSING AN INTRAOCULAR LENS

Learn how monofocal, toric, extended depth of focus and multifocal lens designs differ, and which tradeoffs to discuss before surgery.

Explore Lens Options Hub

Cataract Surgery With Glaucoma

OPTIC NERVE & PRESSURE PLANNING

An existing glaucoma diagnosis can affect both the surgical plan and the choice of lens. Learn when a combined glaucoma procedure may be discussed.

Explore Cataract & Glaucoma Hub

Cataract Surgery After LASIK or PRK

POST-REFRACTIVE BIOMETRY

Prior corneal surgery changes lens power calculations and makes careful measurements especially important.

Explore Post-LASIK Hub
Training & Research

Background & Clinical Focus

Dr. Schmitz completed ophthalmology residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego and a glaucoma fellowship at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute. He has published on intraocular lens calculations and the intersection of cataract and glaucoma surgery.

Board Certification: Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Fellowship Training: Glaucoma Fellowship at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute (2012–2013).

Medical Education & Residency: Earned his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (valedictorian, Alpha Omega Alpha) and completed residency and later served as Department Chairman at Naval Medical Center San Diego.

Current Practice: Provides cataract, refractive lens, and glaucoma care at SharpeVision MODERN LASIK & LENS in Bellevue and Renton, Washington.

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ABO

Board-Certified Ophthalmologist

UCLA

Jules Stein Eye Institute Glaucoma Fellowship

Bellevue & Renton

SharpeVision Consultations in Washington

Global Health & Philanthropy

Humanitarian Ophthalmology Missions

Dr. Joseph Schmitz is committed to advancing global eye care and dedicating his clinical and surgical expertise to underserved communities.

He serves as a Board Member and Medical Director of Individual Missions with Benevolent Missions International (BMI), directing humanitarian ophthalmic surgical and clinical missions in Corozal, Belize, and Sigatoka, Fiji.

Learn More About Humanitarian Missions
Dr. Schmitz during a Benevolent Missions International mission in Fiji Benevolent Missions International ophthalmic team Patient eye screening at Sigatoka District Hospital Ophthalmic surgical care during the Fiji mission