R. Lee Harman, MD, FACS
R. Lee Harman, MD, FACS
Dr. Harman is the founder and managing partner of The Harman Eye Clinic. Dr. Harman founded The Harman Eye Clinic in 1984. Over the past twenty-some years Dr. Harman performed advanced refractive and cataract surgical procedures. A combination of courage and prudence helped him become a leader in ophthalmology.
Recently, Dr. Harman has focused his attention on Rotary and especially, the PolioPlus project to eliminate Polio in the world. He recently returned from India where over a hundred thousand Indian and 250 international volunteers met for 10 days to distribute Polio vaccine drops to over 3 million (1.6 million children under five).
A Lifetime of Dedication…. Background
Dr. Harman is among the first in the Northwest to perform Radial Keratotomy in 1985.
Dr. Harman is among the first to perform Automated Lamellar Keratoplasty in the state of Washington in 1993. He is also among the first 75 surgeons in the U.S. to purchase and use a microkeratome. (The microkeratome was first used to make the flap for ALK and then used to make the flap for LASIK.)
Dr. Harman is among the first surgeons to perform clear cornea topical anesthesia cataract surgery, which eliminated the need for blocking the eye with anesthesia and thus eliminating the need for wearing a patch after surgery. Dr. Harman is one of the first to use single-stitch, then no-stitch cataract surgery.
Dr. Harman joined Seattle Eye Surgeons in ownership of the VISX Excimer laser when it was first approved by the FDA. We meet our patients in Seattle and performed PRK and LASIK at Northwest Laser Center with in Seattle Surgery Center.
Dr. Harman now has possession of the VISX Start S4 Active TrakTM Excimer laser in our Arlington Laser Center across from Cascade Valley Hospital. Over the years, Dr. Harman has been asked to share his surgical insights with his colleagues by such organizations at Chiron, Casebeer International Eye Center, Allergan, PresbyCorp, and Sunrise Technology at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons annual meetings.
Dr. Harman had consultant hospital privileges at Cascade Valley Hospital, Arlington, and Swedish Hospital, Seattle. Dr. Harman is among the first 60 doctors in the United States to use Allergan’s Array Multifocal Lens Implants for cataract surgery. This multifocal lens has been improved and is now known as ReZoom multifocal lens. For some patients, this lens may be appropriate and will provide better reading at near, intermediate and far vision after surgery.
Dr. Harman is a graduate of the University of Florida. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Miami Medical School. His Internship and Residency was completed at the Naval Regional Medical Center, San Diego, California.
Among many other interests, Dr. Harman is a pilot who several years ago participated in the World Vintage Air Rally, flying a Cessna 140 from London, England to Brisbane, Australia. He currently flies a RV-8 with the BlackJack Squadron, an Arlington-based precision formation team and has owned and mastered the flying of a Meridian.
Schedule Your Appoinment
Your Eye Appointment
What to bring with you!
Make the most of your appointment time. Your Doctor will want to review your medical history as well as address your eye care concerns. You will get more out of your appointment if you stop now and prepare.
1. Bring any eyeglasses or contact lenses you currently wear.
2. Bring a list of all current medications.
3. Bring a list of serious illnesses or surgeries in your past.
4. Bring a list of your current illnesses or report on your wellness program.
5. Bring your insurance card and referral from your primary Doctor if your insurance requires a referral. Or, if you are paying cash, bring your credit card or checkbook. Payment will be expected at the time of your appointment and on the day of surgery. You may wish to take advantage of CareCredit or ChaseHealthAdvance, and can apply on-line before your appointment.
See Better After a Cataract Surgery
Cataract patients now have an option to see at both near and far distances after cataract surgery! Individuals suffering from cataracts previously had only a mono-focal lens implant option after surgery. NEW multi-focal IOL technology can now decrease dependence on glasses after surgery. 
What Our Patient Says
“My experience at the Harman Eye Clinic resulted in excellent vision. I was not able to see the alarm clock at night and now after LASIK I can see everything. My vision is 2020 and my lifestyle has drastically improved. I have a much more active life and I never have to worry about taking my contacts in and out” 
Washington Eye Doctors | Second Opinions
If you would like to get a second opinion regarding your eye surgery options it is always better to know before surgery then to make a wrong decision. Because our practice is regarded as one of the regions TOP ophthalmology practices we take second opinions very seriously. 
