Richard Burns, M.D.

About Us

As a highly regarded San Diego LASIK surgeon, Dr. Burns has more than 35 years of experience, during which time he has performed thousands of successful laser eye surgeries. He is one of the few eye surgeons in the country with considerable experience not only in LASIK but also in Cataract Surgery and Refractive Lensectomy (RLE).
Dr. Burns's outstanding qualifications expand your treatment options and can greatly improve your vision correction results as he is able to recommend and perform the procedure that is most suitable for you. In contrast, many other refractive surgeons specialize only in LASIK.
Other reasons why numerous patients from San Diego, Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, and Sun City have chosen Dr. Burns as their refractive surgeon include:

Meet The Staff

New Freedom Eye Center Team

At New Freedom Eye Center, the team of friendly medical professionals is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality care in the safest, most comfortable manner possible. They understand that many of their San Diego laser eye surgery patients feel apprehensive about undergoing LASIK, LASEK, or PRK procedures. This is why they take the time to thoroughly explain all procedures and to address any concerns their patients might have. This thoughtful approach helps ease patients’ anxiety and make their vision correction experience more enjoyable.

Dr. Richards Burns

San Diego Ophthalmologist

Richard R. Burns, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in Refractive Laser Eye Surgery, Cataract Surgery, and Refractive Lensectomy (RLE). He has performed refractive surgery for more than 35 years and has corrected the vision of thousands of San Diego, Temecula, Hemet, Sun City, and Murrieta patients.
Dr. Burns received his medical doctorate from the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Following medical school, Dr. Burns completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of California, San Diego, where he served his final year as Chief Resident.

Marylou Chavarin

Operations Coordinator

Marylou is our operations coordinator and also a certified ophthalmic technician. She oversees our San Diego laser eye surgery facility and is involved with all aspects of patient care. Marylou is always happy to answer patients’ questions whether they are inquiring about our San Diego facilities, laser equipment, or various treatments, such as Refractive Lensectomy with Crystalens or ReStor lenses.
Marylou has worked with Dr. Burns for more than 17 years.

IntraLase

We feature the advanced Ziemer Crystalline femtosecond IntraLase laser, which allows Dr. Burns to perform all-laser LASIK.
Read how “bladeless” LASIK can improve the results and safety of your laser eye surgery.

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Z-LASIK

Highly sophisticated Laser Eye Surgery procedure in San Diego that uses the advanced Ziemer FEMTO LDV laser for bladeless creation of the corneal flap. Dr. Burns uses this technology because of its advantages associated with increased patient safety, speedy recovery and optimal vision outcomes.

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CustomVue™

We count with the leading–edge Allegretto 400 and VISX STAR S4 excimer laser platforms with CustomVue™ technology, as well as the advanced IntraLase femtosecond laser. Dr. Burns uses these devices to provide his patients with highly customized iLASIK treatments.

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Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 500 Laser

New Freedom Eye Center employs the most sophisticated vision correction technology, including the WaveLight Allegretto Wave Eye-Q 500 excimer laser system for maximum vision correction accuracy and excellence.

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LenSx

Dr. Burns’ practice is equipped with the latest LenSx technology for laser cataract surgery. LenSx offers patients increased safety and accuracy, reduced risk of complications after cataract surgery, and customized treatments for optimal surgical outcomes.

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" Just wanted to thank all of you for your precious gift of my sight. There is nothing I can give to you that would come close to the miracle I feel you have given to me. I haven’t been able to see since I was 5 years old! I am terribly grateful to you all and hope you realize just what a miracle you have given me. I feel blessed and can’t thank you enough for all you gave to me! With a happy heart, I thank you! "

- JoEllen

“Dr. Burns is both very skilled and also understanding and compassionate. He exhibits the ability to connect with his patients and to put them at ease. His credentials and qualifications are impeccable. His skill is at the highest levels. I completely trust him with my eyes.”

- Tom

"I spent seven years before selecting Dr. Burns for my LASIK procedure. By following Dr. Burns’ “Father Knows Best” advice post-op, the results have far exceeded my expectations. This is truly a special gift. Sometimes you have to look reality in the eye and deny it! Dr. Burns has set these Irish eyes to smiling. Dr. Burns rocks!"

- Karen

"I have been wearing glasses since I was 13 years old and wore contact lenses for over 20 years. I have always been active in sports and now being able to see and function without glasses or contacts is beyond description. Also, when traveling, not having to deal with contact lenses is a great relief. Also, due to my age, I opted to have one eye see in the distance and one eye to see at near. Monovision, as it is called, works so well for me that I now do not need to use reading glasses. I am grateful for Dr. Burns and his skill, knowledge, care and attention to detail all along the way. I highly recommend you seriously consider Dr. Burns and New Freedom Eye Center for your LASIK procedure."

- Leeman

"I am totally happy with my LASIK procedure. Dr. Burns and his staff are friendly and professional and completely put my fears to rest. The procedure was easy and painless. I always felt I was in good hands before, during, and after the surgery. My biggest problem with my contacts was dealing with dry, red, and itchy eyes on an almost daily basis. Because of my active lifestyle glasses were not the solution. It’s so wonderful to finally have healthy eyes and be able to see when I wake up in the morning. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Burns and his staff to anyone."

- Becki

"I had been very nearsighted since about age 11. I also had astigmatism in both eyes. I remember praying, as a teenager, for a miracle that God would heal my eyes! Twenty years later, my miracle happened. Dr. Burns skillfully performed LASIK surgery on my eyes and I now see very clearly without my glasses or contacts. I’m extremely happy with the results and can recommend Dr. Burns caring expertise without hesitation."

- Kim

"This was my old life! I was farsighted. Always looking for my glasses. Until one day; I had to have glasses to find my other reading glasses! Tennis is my great activity, and not seeing the tennis-ball, was not very encouraging. In fact, my vision was then 20/70. Then one morning I received a phone call from my friend Gladys and she asked me to turn on the KUSI TV-channel and see a TV program about a new method of laser eye surgery. Was this the beginning of my new Life? You bet! An important thing that I experienced was that there was no pressure from the doctor or the staff. So it was all up to me! During the surgery I felt so calm and I knew, I was in good hands. Today my life is easy. I can play tennis and Bridge. I can read the menu in the restaurant and I can go to the theater and see the entire play without glasses. Today I have a 20/20 vision."

- Britt-Carin