Former Valley eye doctor sets up new medical practice in Idaho

A former Gardnerville ophthalmologist, whose patient files were transferred to a Carson City physician in August, is preparing to start practice in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Dr. G. Paul Burton, who formerly ran the Sierra Vision Center in the Virginia Ranch Professional Building, closed his practice in mid-June.

"We struggled with the high cost of doing business in the Carson Valley," said Tamara Burton, Dr. Burton's wife. "Ophthalmology has been particularly hard in the last couple of years."

Some of Dr. Burton's patients said they were surprised in recent weeks to learn their files had been transferred to the office of Dr. Matti Vazeen, but Tamara Burton said that Dr. Burton ran radio spots advertising the closure.

Tamara Burton said that the Sierra Vision Center was actively seeking options to remain open in the Valley, including recruiting a physician from Reno to come down and share the practice.

Burton sold his practice to the Carson Valley Medical Center on May 18, at which time the hospital assumed the office, including patient charts and equipment.

Burton plans to start practicing at the Fitzhugh Vision Center in Twin Falls, Idaho.

"It looks like it will be a great practice opportunity here," Tamara Burton said. "The people are actually quite similar to those in the valley."

Vazeen assumed Burton's old office, and said he will be open Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.