Dr. Kenneth Houchin fills a vital need in Boulder City and Las Vegas as one of only two practicing neuro-ophthalmologists. In addition, he specializes in eye plastic surgery, including Erbium laser and Botulinum wrinkle removal and tightening of baggy lids.
What is a Neuro-ophthalmologist?
Neuro-ophthalmology is the sub-specialty of ophthalmology that centers on the relationship between the eyes and the brain.
The brain interprets all visual input from the eyes. Based on the visual input and other sensory stimuli, the brain then gives commands to control the eyes via the cranial nerves. Any disease that interrupts this pathway is evaluated and treated by a neuro-ophthalmologist.
More specifically, double vision, asymmetry, unexplained blurred vision, abnormal eye movements, loss of peripheral vision, loss of islands of vision, and loss of color vision can occur. Diseases that are commonly evaluated by a neuro-ophthalmologist include headaches, brain tumors, strokes, multiple sclerosis, optic neuropathy, and brain or eye birth defects. The optic nerve can develop swelling and loss of vision in older patients in a disease known as anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Disease processes that effect the orbit, the bony cavity in which the eye resides, are evaluated and treated by a neuro-ophthalmologist, including Graves thyroid orbitopathy, tumors, and infections. Neuro-ophthalmologists are commonly called on to sort out complex on unexplained causes of visual loss when other ophthalmologists are unable to explain patient’s visual complaints. Thus, a neuro-ophthalmologist frequently acts as an expert witness in legal proceedings.
Curriculum Vitae
CURRENT PRACTICE:
THE BUZARD EYE INSTITUTE since April, 1999.
Neuro-Ophthalmology, Glaucoma, and Oculoplastic Surgery;
7135 Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV, 89117
(702) 362-3900; (702) 362-7405 FAX; (702) 528-5771 cellular phone
ELKO EYE CENTER since May, 1999,
Medical and Surgical Ophthalmology
875 Fourteenth Street, Elko, NV, 89801
(775) 738-5193; (800) 258-5188; (775) 778-6831 FAX
PREVIOUS PRACTICE:
Neuro-Ophthalmology and General Ophthalmology, Inland Eye Institute, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, beginning August, 1993, through February, 1998
Locum tenens, MedPartners, multiple locations southern California part-time October, 1986, to February, 1998, and full-time February, 1998, to May, 1999
Neuro-Ophthalmology, Department of Ophthalmology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, beginning November, 1999, through January, 2001
SPECIALITY BOARD CERTIFICATION:
Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, May, 1997
ACADEMIC AFFILIATION:
Associate Clinical Professor, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California
FELLOWSHIP:
Clinical Fellow in Neuro-Ophthalmology with Jonathan D. Wirtschafter, MD, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MD, beginning July, 1989, and completed June, 1990
RESIDENCIES:
Ophthalmology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma
Linda, California, beginning July, 1990, and completed June, 1993
Neurology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California, beginning July, 1986, and completed June, 1989
INTERNSHIP:
Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California, beginning July, 1985, and completed June, 1986
MEDICAL SCHOOL:
Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, graduating June, 1985
MEDICAL LICENSURE:
California (1986): #G057897
Nevada (1999): #8896
MEMBERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
American Academy of Neurology
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Medical Association
North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
LEADERSHIP IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
President, Tri-County Eye Society, 1995
Vice-President, Tri-County Eye Society, 1996
Board of Directors, San Bernardino County Medical Society, June, 1996, through June, 2000
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS:
Communications Committee, San Bernardino County Medical Society,
January, 1995, through June, 1997
Electronic Document Management System Committee, Loma Linda University Medical Center, October, 1994, through February, 1998
Young Physicians Committee, San Bernardino County Medical Society, January, 1994, through June, 1997
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS:
Ormerod LD, Rhodes RH, Gross SA, Crane LR, Houchin KW: Ophthalmologic manifestations of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Ophthalmol 1996; 103:899-906.
Lau KHW, Nadade O, Barr B, Taylor AK, Houchin KW, Baylink DJ: Phenytoin increases markers of osteogenesis for the human species in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 1995; 80:2347-2353.
Lubniewsky AJ, Houchin KW, Holland EJ, Weeks DA, Wessels IF, McNeill JI, Cameron JD: Posterior infectious crystalline keratopathy with Staphylococcus epidermidis. Ophthalmol 1990; 97:1454-1459.
INVITED LECTURES:
Houchin KW. Headache from a Neuro-Ophthalmology View Point. Ohio
Eye Ear Nose and Throat Society 46th Annual Fall Conference. Columbus, Ohio,
October 2-4, 1998.
Houchin KW. Headaches and the Eye. JCAHPO: Annual Continuing
Education Program for Ophthalmic Medical Personnel. New Orleans, Louisiana,
November 7-11, 1998; San Francisco, California, October 25-29, 1997; San
Francisco, California, October 29 - November 3, 1994.
Houchin KW. Headaches: Diagnosis and Treatment. Loma Linda University’s
Nineteenth Annual Primary Care Update. San Bernardino, California, October 24-27,
1994.
Houchin KW. Nystagmus. Mojave Desert Optometric Society Eleventh Annual
Ski Seminar. Mammoth Springs, California, March 18-19, 1994.
Houchin KW. Headache. Annual Ocular Update Symposium for Optometrists
(Inland Eye Institute, Loma Linda University and Southern California College of
Optometry), Loma Linda, California, October 10, 1993.
Houchin KW. What’s shaking? Update on nystagmus. Seventeeth Annual
Scientific Conference of the National Association of Vision Professionals, San Diego,
California, August 5-7, 1993.
SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATIONS:
Lau KHW, Nakade O, Taylor AK, Houchin KW, Baylink DJ. Low dose phenytoin is osteogenic for the human species in vitro and in vivo. American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 16th Annual Meeting, Kansas City, Missouri, September, 9-13, 1994.
Houchin KW, Dunbar JA, Lingua RW. A randomized prospective trial on the
incidence of emesis after strabismus surgery with and without supplemental perimuscular
anesthetics. Doheny Eye Institute’s 16th Annual Residents Day Conference, Los Angeles,
California, June 5-6, 1992.
Houchin KW, Bounds J, Liwnicz BH, Peckham NH. Hypothyroidism and progressive visual loss. The 24th Annual Meeting of the Frank B. Walsh Society,
Los Angeles, California, February 28-29, 1992.
Davanipour Z, Houchin KW, Will DA. A cluster of multiple sclerosis. Annual Meeting of the World Federation of Neurology - Research Group on
Neuroepidemiology, Miami Beach, Florida, April 29, 1990.
Houchin KW, Wirtschafter JD. Orbital and cavernous sinus mass. The 22nd Annual Meeting of the Frank Walsh Society, Indianapolis, Indiana, February 16-17, 1990.
Houchin KW, Wirtschafter JD, Anderson JH. Inverse latent macro square-wave jerks. North American
Neuro-Ophthalmology Society 16th Annual Meeting, Steamboat
Springs, Colorado, February 4-8, 1990.
Houchin KW, Weingarden AS, Loewenson RB, Wirtschafter JD: Hyper-coagulation in ischemic optic neuropathy: Comparison of single and multiple events.
Upper Midwest Neuro-Ophthalmological Group Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, July 29-30, 1988.
Houchin KW, Wirtschafter JD: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in the presence of posterior orbital compression and systemic hypertension. Upper
Midwest Neuro-Ophthalmological Group Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, July 29-30, 1988.
SCIENTIFIC POSTERS:
Gruzensky WD, Ormerod LD, McNeill JI, Weeks DA, McDermott ML, Houchin KW, Schneider K, Thomas ME: Investigation of UW solutions for human corneal storage in comparison with Dexsol and Optisol. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Sarasota, Florida, May 2-7, 1993.
Houchin KW, Benes SC, Edson JR, Kay MC, Winterkorn JMS, Wirtschafter JD. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with serum antiphospholipid antibodies. American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, November 8-12, 1992.
Houchin KW, Chang M, Slater JD, Slater JM. Proton beam therapy and the eye. American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, November 8-12, 1992.
Houchin KW, Dunbar JA, Lingua RW. Reduction of post-operative emesis in medial rectus muscle surgery. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Sarasota, Florida, May 3-8, 1992.
Houchin KW, Benes SC, Edson JR, Kay MC, Winterkorn JMS, Wirtschafter JD. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with serum antiphospholipid antibodies. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Annual Meeting, San Diego, California, February 23-27, 1992.
Dunbar JA, Houchin KW, Lingua RW. Incidence of postoperative emesis in strabismus surgery: Addition of retrobulbar anesthesia to general anesthesia. American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Anaheim, California, October 13-17, 1991.
Houchin KW, Purple RL, Wirtschafter JD. X-linked congenital stationary night blindness and depolarizing bipolar system dysfunction. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Sarasota, Florida, April 28-May 1, 1991.
Houchin KW, Purple RL, Wirtschafter JD. X-linked congenital stationary night blindness associated with depolarizing bipolar system dysfunction. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Annual Meeting, Park City, Utah, February 24-28, 1991.
Houchin KW, Wirtschafter JD, Sneed MW. Atonic pupil following cataract extraction. American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, October 27 - November 1, 1990.
Houchin KW, Will AD, Taylor AK, Lueken S, Ilacas D, Udonta E, Baylink DJ: Dose-dependent increase in bone turnover caused by phenytoin in epileptic patients. American Academy of Neurology 42nd Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida, April 30- May 6, 1990.
Houchin KW, Wessels IF, McNeill JI, Weeks DA, Anderson LK, Duffin MR: Infectious crystalline keratopathy caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis. American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 29-November 2, 1989.
McNeill JI, Wessels IF, Houchin KW: Indications for corneal grafts: An eleven year analysis. The 57th Annual Postgraduate Convention, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, February 24 - March 1, 1989 (First Place Award, Residents Clinical Research Category).
Houchin KW, Huffaker GG: Toxic retinopathy induced by gasoline ingestion. The 57th Annual Postgraduate Convention, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, February 24 - March 1, 1989.
Houchin KW, Wessels IF, McNeill JI: Crystalline keratopathy: A new sign of infection. The 57th Annual Postgraduate Convention, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, February 24 - March 1, 1989.
Houchin KW, Wessels IF, Davidian JL, Schneider KL: Eyelid sebaceous carcinoma masquerading as metastasis. The 57th Annual Postgraduate Convention, Loma Linda Unversity School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, February 24-March 1, 1989.
RESIDENCY LEADERSHIP ROLES:
Member, Book/Journal Link Subcommittee, Committee on International Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology
Member, Academic Research Committee, Loma Linda University Department of Ophthalmology
MEDICAL EDUCATION LEADERSHIP ROLES:
Vice-President, School of Medicine Student Association
Chairperson, School of Medicine Student Association Senate
Member, School of Medicine Dean’s Committee
Senator, Loma Linda University Student Senate
Member, Loma Linda University Student Affairs Committee
Member, Ad Hoc Committee on a Proposed Student Union
Pastor, Junior Class
Chairperson, Medical Student Lounge Committee (completed long-sought
lounge)
MEDICAL EDUCATION INTERNATIONAL OPHTHALMOLOGY:
Two-month clerkship in third-world ophthalmology at Maluti Adventist Hospital in Lesotho, Africa, participating in clinics and surgery
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION:
Attended Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, with a double major in
chemistry and biology
Graduated with highest honors (GPA 3.91 on 4.00 scale)
Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
UNDERGRADUATE LEADERSHIP ROLES:
President, Student Association
Vice-President, Student Association
Chairperson, Student Senate
Vice-President, Adventist Intercollegiate Association (two years)
Parliamentarian, Adventist Intercollegiate Association National Convention
Coordinator, weekly all-college convocation (two years)
Chairperson, Publications Board
Member, Student Affairs Committee
Member, Judiciary Committee
Producer, annual promotional multimedia production for college (three years)
Writer, 125-page document of working policies and job descriptions for Student
Association officers and committees
Student Recruiter, visiting prospective students in Kansas and Nebraska for six
months (along with three other recruiters, the newly-instituted recruiting program
accounted for an increased total enrollment of 200 students the following year)
HIGH SCHOOL:
Salina Central High School in Salina, Kansas, graduating in 1976 ranked first in class of 335
AVOCATION:
Nature photography. Clients have included NBC Network TODAY telecast with daily utilization for two years; Hallmark Cards, Inc., with calendar cover and greeting card; Southwestern Bell Telephone Company with three state-wide telephone directory covers; exclusive supplier for 21 months of background material used during the weathercast for a network-affiliated television station in Wichita, Kansas; multiple magazines, posters, and postcards.
