Specialties
Patrick D. Munson, M.D., is a highly regarded ophthalmologist with a distinguished career in both the military and medicine. He specializes in LASIK, PRK, RLE, ICL, and other refractive surgeries. He has dedicated over 15 years to the field, performing 15,000 vision correction procedures and supervising 20,000 more during his tenure as Medical Director for several laser vision correction centers.
Extensive Training & Experience
After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Dr. Munson served five years as a Combat Engineer in Germany, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Dr. Munson then transitioned to medicine, graduating from Washington University in St. Louis and completing his Ophthalmology Residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, where he was selected Intern of the Year and Chief Resident.
During his 18 years as an Army eye surgeon, Colonel Munson earned the prestigious Legion of Merit, the Order of Military Medical Merit, and the Surgeon General’s A-designator (Top 5% of doctors) for his significant contributions across four medical centers and numerous deployments. He led Army Warfighter Refractive Surgery Centers for nine years, enhancing the vision of pilots, Special Forces, and soldiers who relied on their vision to return home safely from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Dr. Munson recently retired from the Army following 29 years of uniformed service—most recently as the Army’s only Director of Ophthalmology training, teaching over 60 doctors to become eye surgeons with a 100% board certification rate and tens of thousands of patients healed. He has held faculty appointments at four universities to teach vision correction surgery, including at the University of Washington. Dr. Munson is a certified trainer on multiple laser platforms and one of only three surgical trainers for the EVO ICL nationally.
A Pioneer in Advanced Refractive Surgery
Dr. Patrick Munson is renowned for his expertise in refractive surgery, significantly improving soldiers’ performance by eliminating the need for glasses, which can fog up or become cumbersome in critical situations. He has trained dozens of surgeons in the use of advanced laser technologies and is the second-highest ICL implanter in the Northwest US and Canada. In the early 1990s, Dr. Munson sought out PRK in Canada before its FDA approval in the US to correct a corneal injury that would have prevented his military service. He deeply understands the life-changing potential of these procedures. At Aurora LASIK, Dr. Munson will continue his commitment to delivering the best possible outcomes using state-of-the-art equipment.
Dedicated to Service
Patrick Munson, M.D. has led a life of service, clearing minefields in Europe, cleaning rivers and streams around his native Detroit, and feeding the homeless with his church. As an eye doctor, Dr. Munson participated in numerous trips to provide care in underdeveloped countries, including Honduras, Panama, Kuwait, Afghanistan, and the Dominican Republic. His dedication to service extends beyond his military career. Dr. Munson was instrumental in establishing a local charity serving patients with poor vision in the South Sound. He worked with Washington State University to develop an eye health van to travel Eastern Washington, serving Indigenous and uninsured immigrant populations. He is proud to volunteer at the Seattle Free Clinic, on international humanitarian cataract missions, and as an Eye Technician Instructor at the Washington Association of Eye Professionals meeting.
Life-Changing Vision Care
Dr. Patrick Munson’s passion for improving lives through vision correction stems from his own experiences and those of his family. His mother underwent RLE surgery at Aurora LASIK, a testament to his trust in their capabilities and care. Outside of medicine, he enjoys watching local sports (particularly the Seahawks and Kraken), as well as hiking and walking his labradoodle Luna. He’s a fan of Star Wars, foreign travel, science fiction, and spending time with his family.
Professional Memberships
- Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
- Refractive Surgery Alliance Society
- American Refractive Surgery Council
Dr. Patrick Munson is committed to providing exceptional vision care, leveraging his extensive experience and dedication to improving patients’ quality of life through advanced refractive surgery.
