Barbara Bowers, MD
About Dr. Bowers
Dr. Barbara Bowers was the first surgeon in Kentucky to offer Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery and continues to be the region’s most experienced bladeless cataract surgeon. Using the LensSx Laser system – the first laser to be FDA approved for bladeless cataract surgery – Dr. Bowers is excited to provide state-of-the-art technology to her cataract patients. She was also the first surgeon in Kentucky to use the laser LenSx laser for Bladeless LASIK.
Prior to using the LenSx laser for LASIK, she was one of the few elite surgeons in the United States with the Wavelight EYE-Q/FS200 Bladeless LASIK Suite. This LASIK suite, PADUCAH LASIK CENTER, was Western Kentucky’s first permanent Bladeless Lasik suite. PADUCAH LASIK CENTER is located in the office of INNOVATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY allowing patients the convenience of having the evaluation, the testing and the surgical procedure in one location.
In 1999, Dr. Bowers introduced Refractive Lens Surgery technology to our region by implanting Paducah’s first TORIC and MULTIFOCAL intra-ocular lens implants. She continues to be an early adopter of refractive surgery technologies and enjoys providing these vision restoring technologies to her patients.
Kentucky's Pioneer in Vision
The first surgeon in Kentucky to perform Bladeless Cataract Surgery and the first to use LenSx Bladeless LASIK.
Medical Milestones
Ophthalmology Residency
Department of Ophthalmology
Medical Internship
Wright Patterson Air Force Base
Doctor of Medicine
Universitry of Louisville School of Medicine
Undergraduate Education
Lexington, Kentucky
Qualifications & Honors
- Repeatedly voted Best Ophthalmologist by the Paducah Sun’s Readers’ Choice (2017–2024)
- Board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology
- Fellow of American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Member of American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
- Specializes in refractive and cataract surgery
- Over 25 years of surgical experience
- Performed Kentucky’s first Bladeless Cataract Surgery
- Performed Kentucky’s first LenSx Bladeless LASIK
- Chief Resident for the University of Louisville Department of Ophthalmology
- Assistant Clinical Professor for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Louisville
- Assistant Clinical Professor for the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Kentucky
- LaserVision’s Top 100 Surgeons
- America’s Top Ophthalmologists
- Actively supports Research to Prevent Blindness
Voted “Best Ophthalmologist”
We are proud to say Barbara Bowers, M.D. has been voted the Paducah Sun Readers’ Choice “Best Ophthalmologist” for 8 years in a row!
Professional Memberships
Beyond the Office
Outside of medicine, Dr. Bowers enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and supporting local community initiatives.
Experience Matters. So Does Your Vision
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Bowers and our team today.

