About Our Doctors
Stuart Paul, MD
Dr. Paul started practicing in Salinas in 1980 after completing his medical school training at Thomas Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia and his ophthalmology training at Pittsburgh Eye and Ear. Over the past two decades Dr. Paul has introduced many new techniques to the central coast, but perhaps his greatest contribution has been that of the modern technique of cataract surgery. Dr. Paul was the first on the Monterey Peninsula to perform phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation, a cataract extraction technique which greatly improved patient care and which is now accepted as the standard method of cataract surgery. Today, cataract surgery no longer requires hospitalization, takes only 10 minutes to perform, and requires no sutures. Vision improves in a matter of days and thick glasses are no longer required for excellent vision.
Dr. Paul’s pioneering work in this area has truly benefited thousands of patients over the past two decades. “It has always been my philosophy to push the envelope by being a leader in the advancement of new technology and techniques, thus providing our patients with the highest level of care possible”, Dr. Paul states. “Now with our new facility, the care that we are able to provide to our patients meets or exceeds that of any of the best institutions in the country.” In addition to cataract surgery, Dr. Paul also specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma, eyelid plastic surgery, and eye laser treatment for a variety of conditions.
Dr. Paul is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, and the Monterey County Medical Society. He has hospital privileges at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, and the Stanford University Medical Center. He enjoys golfing, running, and watching his son Nolan compete in tennis.
Asit “Tony” Pruthi, MD
Asit “Tony” Pruthi, MD joined Vantage Eye Center in 1994, bringing with him new and innovative microsurgical techniques from the nation’s most prestigious training institutions. Dr. Pruthi received his undergraduate degree at Harvard University, and then graduated from Duke University Medical School with the highest honors. As a result of his exceptional work at Duke, he was selected for membership in the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He then chose to receive his training in ophthalmology at the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. At Wills, Dr. Pruthi mastered the latest in cutting-edge techniques in the fields of cataract, glaucoma, pediatric, and oculoplastic microsurgery.
Since joining Vantage Eye Center twelve years ago, Dr. Pruthi has been instrumental in raising the standard for ophthalmic microsurgery on the Monterey Peninsula. Generous with his knowledge and skills, he has taught several local surgeons his techniques as well as surgeons-in-training through his affiliation with Stanford University School of Medicine. “Our mission at Vantage Eye Center is to provide the very best in patient care by optimizing the training and education of physicians, providing the most advanced technology and equipment, and doing it all in a kind, caring, and sympathetic environment”, Dr. Pruthi says. “Total patient care is our top priority”.
Dr. Pruthi is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, and the Monterey County Medical Society. He has hospital privileges at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, and the Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Pruthi enjoys golfing, spending time with his wife and three children, and is a loyal Duke Basketball fan.
Matthew Jones, MD
Matthew Jones, MD joined Vantage Eye Center in 1998 in order to provide expert cornea and refractive surgery services. Dr. Jones completed medical school at the University of California at San Francisco, one of the nation’s top health care training institutions. After graduating from medical school, he stayed at UCSF for his residency training in ophthalmology. After completing his ophthalmology residency, he was invited to perform a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Following this intensive extra year of training in diseases and surgery of the cornea, Dr. Jones joined Vantage Eye Center. In September of 1998, Dr. Jones performed the first corneal transplantation in the history of Monterey County. Prior to his arrival, Monterey County patients needing this delicate operation had to travel to UCSF or Stanford for their eye care.
Dr. Jones’ training also makes him the only fellowship-trained refractive surgeon in Monterey County. He has performed thousands of laser procedures including LASIK and PRK. “We have designed our laser vision correction program to fit with the philosophy of Vantage Eye Center as a whole—the very best in personalized care with the technology and expertise of a major university hospital”, Dr. Jones states. “We won’t cut corners for any reason — I think our patients notice and appreciate that, and that is the reason why our laser vision correction program has been so successful.”
Dr. Jones is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, the American Medical Association, the California Medical Association, and the Monterey County Medical Society. He has hospital privileges at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, and the Stanford University Medical Center. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, swimming, and jogging.
Richard Kim, MD
Richard Kim, MD joined Vantage Eye Center in 2003. A graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Kim received his medical degree from the University of California at San Francisco. From there, he was selected for his residency at the prestigious Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. As part of his training, Dr. Kim also gained further experience performing cataract and glaucoma surgeries at the Mayo Clinic branch in Scottsdale, Arizona. Then he spent an additional year at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami with some of the world’s preeminent glaucoma specialists, performing advanced surgical techniques for the treatment of glaucoma.
Dr. Kim’s training makes him the only glaucoma fellowship-trained eye doctor in Monterey County. At Vantage Eye Center, he has the latest technology for the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma.
“I am proud to be a part of Vantage Eye Center, which has set such a high standard for eye care, and I am glad to add my experience as a glaucoma specialist for the patients in this community”.
Dr. Kim is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Wills Eye Hospital Society, the Bascom Palmer Alumni Association, and the Monterey County Medical Society. He has privileges at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, and at the Vantage Surgery Center. He enjoys traveling and trying foods of many different cultures and countries.
Ming Lu, MD
Dr. Ming Lu joined Vantage Eye Center in 2005. Dr. Lu graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Science and Technology in China. He moved to the United States in 1987 where he studied Cell Biology at Baylor College of Medicine, receiving his Ph. D. in 1993. Dr. Lu developed an interest in clinical medicine and subsequently attended Harvard Medical School where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1999. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in 2003, and went on to complete a retina fellowship at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas in 2005.
Dr. Lu has been published in numerous journals and has written eight book chapters on the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases. He has hospital privileges at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, and Stanford University.
“I feel privileged to join the Vantage Eye Center team as a retinal specialist”, Dr. Lu comments. “I hope my full time presence will provide patients in this community with convenience and satisfaction.”
Dr. Lu enjoys swimming and table tennis, as well as spending time with his wife Chong-yi and son Charlie.
Jon Page, MD
Jon Page, MD joined Vantage Eye Center in 2007. After graduating from Stanford University with Honors, he attended Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia where he was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society. He completed his residency training in Ophthalmology at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary where he served as Chief Resident. He was then invited to attend the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute in Los Angeles to perform an additional fellowship in Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Page specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and surgery of ophthalmic conditions that affect the surface of the eye, cornea, iris and lens. He performs the latest techniques of small incision cataract surgery, laser vision correction surgery and corneal transplantation. He brings his training in an exciting new form of minimally invasive corneal transplantation called endothelial keratoplasty or “DSEK” to the Central Coast. This innovative procedure results in much faster visual recovery than traditional corneal transplantation for patients with many serious corneal disorders. Dr. Page is the first fellowship trained Ophthalmologist performing this procedure in Monterey County.
“I am proud to join the staff of Vantage Eye Center. I hope my experience and expertise will help continue their tradition of providing the highest level of eye care for the patients in this community.”
Dr. Page is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology as well as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. He has hospital privileges at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital as well as the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. He enjoys spending time with his wife Katherine and two young children, Jack and Cameron. He is also an avid golfer.
Christopher M. DeBacker, MD
Dr. DeBacker is a fellowship trained specialist in general cosmetic surgery and eye plastic surgery. He was raised in Sacramento, where he attended Jesuit High School, and earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry with great distinction, from UC Berkeley. He then attended Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, where he earned his MD degree with distinction in research. After an internship at Kaiser in San Francisco, he completed an ophthalmology residency at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago. He completed a fellowship in oculoplastic surgery and ocular oncology at Duke University, after which he joined the facility as an Assistant Professor. In order to obtain further training in cosmetic surgery, he completed a one year fellowship in general cosmetic surgery at the Arizona Center of Plastic Surgery in Tucson.
Dr. DeBacker has published widely in the in the ophthalmology, eye plastic, and general cosmetic surgery literature, and has given numerous talks at scientific meetings. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is board-certified in ophthalmology and board-certified in general cosmetic surgery.
Dr. DeBacker offers multiple medical and surgical services through Vantage Eye Center, including cosmetic eye and facial plastic surgery (face, brow and eyelid lifts, Botox®, and laser surgery) functional eye and facial plastic surgery (droopy eyelids interfering with vision, skin cancers, eyelid reconstruction, tear duct surgery), and skin care consultations.
Jane Medcalf, OD
Dr. Jane Medcalf received her undergraduate degree at Western Carolina University, and then attended the Alabama School of Optometry in Birmingham, where she received her Optometry degree in 1980. Dr. Medcalf joined Vantage Eye Center in 1996 after 14 years in solo practice in Westlake Village, California.
Dr. Medcalf specializes in the fitting of advanced contact lens designs, and has particular expertise in the fitting of rigid contact lenses, which provide the best vision for certain eye conditions such as keratoconus, or after corneal transplantation. She works closely with Dr. Jones in the visual rehabilitation of patients who have undergone corneal surgery. In addition, Dr. Medcalf fits specialty lenses for astigmatism correction, cosmetic eye color change, and bifocal contact lenses.
When it comes to treating her patients, Dr. Medcalf has a single philosophy: “I pride myself on treating patients with the same respect and concern that I appreciate when I am a patient.” In her spare time, Dr. Medcalf is a stained glass artist and bird watcher.
Michael Neunzig, OD
Dr. Michael Neunzig received his undergraduate degree in Zoology at U.C. Davis, then attended Southern California College of Optometry where he received his Optometry degree in 1997. He went on to a one year residency at The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Los Angeles. Dr. Neunzig served as managing optometrist at Pearle Vision Care in Capitola for six years before joining Vantage Eye Center in 2005.
Dr. Neunzig specializes in contact lens fittings and full-scope optometry. He is past Director of Education of the Monterey Bay Optometric Society. He is a member of the California Optometric Association and the American Optometric Association. He enjoys running, fishing, and computers.
“Providing quality customer service is my top priority”, Dr. Neunzig states. “Working at Vantage Eye Center allows me to participate in the total eye care of my patients, with an unsurpassed team of eye care professionals, in a state-of-the-art facility.”