Procedure Volume Patient Data Patient Conditions Reviews General Payments Back to Top

Home > CA Providers > Ophthalmologists

Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD

(5 Ratings)

Specializes in: Ophthalmology (Eye Disease)

University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine

1933 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

(805) 682-2618

Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD is an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA specializing in ophthalmology (eye disease). He graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine. Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD is affiliated with Cottage Health and STEVEN D ZELKO MD INC.

Office Locations

1933 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA 93109

open_in_new

2030 Viborg Road
Solvang, CA 93463

open_in_new

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

“A dedicated list of ophthalmologists, led by Steven Zelko, M.D., board member George Primbs, M.D. and otolaryngologists take care of referrals at a reduced rate.”—"Lions Sight and Hearing Center of Santa Barbara Turns 50 | Good for Santa Barbara - Noozhawk.com", Noozhawk, April 2013

“This program also makes much needed eye surgeries available at no cost to local individuals in need, thanks to generous local ophthalmologists such as Michael Paveloff, Dante Pieramici, Doug...”—"Randal Avolio Joins SEE International as President/CEO | Good for Santa Barbara - Noozhawk.com", Noozhawk, September 2012

“On Saturday, Nov. 19, local ophthalmologists Michael Paveloff, Stuart Winthrop and Steven Zelko, and a medical team from the Santa Barbara Surgery Center donated their time and skills to perform...”—"SEE International Volunteers Perform Free Cataract Surgeries for Uninsured | Good for Santa Barbara | Noozhawk", Noozhawk, November 2011

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Affordability:

anterior segment surgery

cataract surgery

cataract surgery with IOL implantation

comprehensive eye exam

conjunctival foreign body removal

epilation for trichiasis

extracapsular cataract extraction with IOL implantation

extracapsular lens removal

eye exam

eye foreign body removal

eyelid procedures

eye tests

fundus photography

intermediate eye exam

intraocular lens implant

laser eye surgery

lens removal surgery

lens replacement surgery

ophthalmic biometry

scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging

SCODI of the posterior segment

secondary cataract surgery

simple cataract surgery

superficial conjunctival foreign body removal

visual field test

YAG laser capsulotomy

YAG laser surgery

In 2023, Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD had a list price for anterior segment surgery, cataract surgery, cataract surgery with IOL implantation, comprehensive eye exam, conjunctival foreign body removal, epilation for trichiasis (non-surgical removal of misdirected eyelash), extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with IOL implantation, extracapsular lens removal, eye exam, eye foreign body removal, eyelid procedures, eye tests, fundus photography, intermediate eye exam, intraocular lens (IOL) implant, laser eye surgery, lens removal surgery, lens replacement surgery, ophthalmic biometry, scanning computerized ophthalmic diagnostic imaging (SCODI), SCODI of the posterior segment (SCODI-P), secondary cataract surgery, simple cataract surgery, superficial conjunctival foreign body removal, visual field test, YAG laser capsulotomy, and YAG laser surgery that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of providers in related specialties within California. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 10%

By Volume:

epilation for trichiasis

By Affordability:

extraocular surgery

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within California, Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD performed more epilation for trichiasis (non-surgical removal of misdirected eyelash) procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of them and he also had a list price for extraocular surgery that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 90% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Top 25%

By Volume:

anterior segment surgery

eye procedures

simple cataract surgery

YAG laser capsulotomy

By Affordability:

lacrimal surgery

lacrimal procedures

punctal occlusion

punctal plug insertion

In 2012, among providers in related specialties within California, Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD performed more anterior segment surgery, eye procedures, simple cataract surgery, and YAG laser capsulotomy procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of them and he also had a list price for lacrimal surgery, lacrimal (tearing system) procedures, punctal occlusion, and punctal plug insertion that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 75% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2012 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and foreign body removal.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	78
doctor visit	77
eye procedures	5578
foreign body removal	15
laser treatment	78

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2013 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	91
eye procedures	5534
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	16
laser treatment	91

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	1034
Female	1591

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2180
Black	24
Hispanic	320
Asian	60
Other	30
Native American	11

**Age**
From 65 to 74	949
From 75 to 84	962
85 and over	549
Less than 65	165

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2013

Hypertension	51
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	12
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	23
Dementia	9
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2014 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and removal of lesion (e.g. growth).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	127
cyst removal	20
excision	20
eye procedures	5911
foreign body removal	12
laser treatment	127
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	20

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	1043
Female	1669

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	2264
Black	0
Hispanic	312
Asian	67
Other	37
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	996
From 75 to 84	974
85 and over	592
Less than 65	150

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2014

Hypertension	50
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	12
Chronic Kidney Disease	13
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	23
Dementia	8
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2015 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and removal of lesion (e.g. growth).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	125
cyst removal	14
excision	14
eye procedures	5100
laser treatment	125
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	14

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	1686
Female	2850

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	3816
Black	0
Hispanic	478
Asian	118
Other	64
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	1640
From 75 to 84	1704
85 and over	1004
Less than 65	188

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2015

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	14
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	21
Dementia	8
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2016 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and foreign body removal.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	122
eye procedures	5093
foreign body removal	14
laser treatment	122

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	816
Female	1411

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1907
Black	0
Hispanic	194
Asian	56
Other	42
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	783
From 75 to 84	877
85 and over	502
Less than 65	65

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2016

Hypertension	50
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	20
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2017 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and foreign body removal.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

abscess drainage	17
capsulotomy	122
eye procedures	4938
foreign body removal	35
incision and drainage	17
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	15
laser treatment	122
minor procedures	17
skin surgery	17

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	814
Female	1338

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1865
Black	0
Hispanic	179
Asian	44
Other	38
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	748
From 75 to 84	852
85 and over	487
Less than 65	65

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2017

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	38
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	21
Dementia	7
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2018 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and foreign body removal.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

capsulotomy	89
cyst removal	12
doctor visit	173
excision	12
eye procedures	4910
foreign body removal	13
laser treatment	89
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	12

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	796
Female	1310

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1818
Black	0
Hispanic	161
Asian	46
Other	54
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	740
From 75 to 84	840
85 and over	470
Less than 65	56

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2018

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	21
Dementia	7
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2019 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and abscess drainage.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

abscess drainage	17
capsulotomy	83
doctor visit	1005
eye procedures	4403
foreign body removal	12
incision and drainage	17
laser treatment	83
minor procedures	17
skin surgery	17

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	809
Female	1367

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1893
Black	0
Hispanic	165
Asian	37
Other	52
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	777
From 75 to 84	863
85 and over	481
Less than 65	55

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2019

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	21
Dementia	7
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2020 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

abscess drainage	15
capsulotomy	68
doctor visit	601
eye procedures	3767
foreign body removal	11
incision and drainage	15
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	15
laser treatment	68
minor procedures	15
skin surgery	15

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	631
Female	1094

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1468
Black	0
Hispanic	151
Asian	32
Other	57
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	581
From 75 to 84	719
85 and over	378
Less than 65	47

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2020

Hypertension	49
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	4
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	19
Dementia	7
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2021 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

abscess drainage	21
capsulotomy	87
doctor visit	244
eye procedures	4921
foreign body removal	13
incision and drainage	21
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	37
laser treatment	87
minor procedures	21
skin surgery	21

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	750
Female	1273

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1741
Black	0
Hispanic	159
Asian	37
Other	60
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	672
From 75 to 84	881
85 and over	436
Less than 65	34

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2021

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	18
Dementia	7
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA during 2022 were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

abscess drainage	24
capsulotomy	74
doctor visit	40
eye procedures	4850
foreign body removal	14
incision and drainage	24
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	27
laser treatment	74
minor procedures	24
skin surgery	24

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	734
Female	1220

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	1686
Black	0
Hispanic	128
Asian	42
Other	70
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	654
From 75 to 84	864
85 and over	397
Less than 65	39

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD in 2022

Hypertension	61
High Cholesterol	74
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	18
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	21
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	19
Dementia	4
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in Santa Barbara, CA were eye procedures, capsulotomy, laser treatment and lacrimal (tearing system) procedures.

abscess drainage	18
capsulotomy	96
cyst removal	15
doctor visit	356
excision	15
eye procedures	5000
foreign body removal	15
incision and drainage	18
lacrimal (tearing system) procedures	22
laser treatment	96
minor procedures	18
removal of lesion (e.g. growth)	15
skin surgery	18

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD.

**Gender**
Male	828
Female	1374

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	2
Asian / Pacific Islander	49
Non-Hispanic White	1876
Hispanic	204
Native American / Alaskan Native	1
Other	45

**Age**
75 to 84	866
85 and over	481
Less than 65	78
65 to 74	776

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD treated were high cholesterol, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	47
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	14
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	12
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	18
Atrial Fibrillation	11
Cancer	9
Dementia	6

Education & Training

Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD graduated from University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine. He completed residency at NASS. He has a state license in California.

Medical School: University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine

Residency: NASS

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Cottage Health

STEVEN D ZELKO MD INC

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 5 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Santa Barbara, CA.

Overall Rating

(5 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Steven D. Zelko, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Alcon Laboratories Inc	$2,963 CataractEquipment $1,869	Cataract Equipment $410	LenSx $183	Pazeo $100	Ilevro $95	Other $306
Sight Sciences, Inc.	$444 OMNI $261	OMNI Surgical System $150	OMNI(R) SURGICAL SYSTEM (US) $34
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.	$427 Bromsite $215	CEQUA $149	BromSite (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.075% $49	XELPROS $15
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$408 EYLEA (aflibercept) Injection $200	EYLEA aflibercept injection $109	Eylea $99
Allergan Inc.	$394 RESTASIS $163	COMBIGAN $153	LUMIGAN $77
Other	$3,610 XIIDRA $360	EYLEA aflibercept injection $227	VYZULTA $185	TRULIGN TORIC $177	AHMED GLAUCOMA VALVE $171	Other $2,489

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$6,951
Travel and Lodging	$1,169
Education	$67
Gift	$60

Biography

Dr. Steven Zelko practices ophthalmology (eye disease) in Solvang, CA and Santa Barbara, CA. He studied medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine. The average patient rating for Dr. Zelko is 5.0 stars (out of 5). Dr. Zelko is affiliated with Cottage Health.