The Wright Eye Center in Colorado Springs has been a full-service eye care provider for more than 25 years. The center’s main focus is on surgical procedures, such as LASIK, PRK, ICL, RLE and cataract surgeries. Jan Lindley, practice manager, said the surgical center gets referrals from optometrists in Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas, with many of their patients coming from Falcon.
Eye health for older adults is about getting early treatment, Lindley said. Glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration — annual eye exams are vital to treating these conditions.
Jan Lindley
There are two ophthalmologists who perform surgical procedures — Garrett Rota, D.O., M.S. and Matthew Chang, M.D.; and two optometrists who perform routine eye exams — Brant Gehler, O.D. and Steven Clancy, O.D.
John Wright, D.O., the founder, is retired.
The center uses leading-edge technology to provide multiple options for vision correction. Each patient’s needs are evaluated and treatment plans are determined on an individual basis.
Lindley said they are seeing more people with cataracts. “It’s probably due to baby boomers ages,” she said. “With cataracts, you have to wait until there is a certain level of maturity, related to the cataracts,” she said. “Eye exams let the doctor see where (the cataract) is in the process of getting ready for surgery.” Eye health for older adults is about getting early treatment, Lindley said. Glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration — annual eye exams are vital to treating these conditions.
Lindley said LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is the most common form of surgical vision correction. It reshapes the cornea to allow light to properly focus into the retina. “PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) is in the same family as LASIK but a different procedure that is used if the cornea is not thick enough for LASIK,” Lindley said.
ICL’s are Implantable Collamer Lenses especially designed for patients who are not good candidates for LASIK or PRK due to issues such as large pupils, thin corneas, dry eye conditions or moderate to severe nearsightedness. ICL’s are similar to contact lenses that are inserted into the eye. “ICL’s are typically for younger people age 49 and younger. Implanting the lens can be an option rather than having to take them in and out every day,” Lindley said. She said the procedure is typically not covered by insurance.
RLE (Refractive Lens Exchange) is a procedure that removes the eye lens and replaces it with a new intraocular lens designed for people who suffer from significant farsightedness (reading vision) and are over the age of 40.
Cataract surgeries are performed at the center using a blade-free technology called CATALYS® Precision Laser System.
Lindley said the center takes most insurance plans. She said there are a small number of carriers that will not include a provider in their network if they do not have an optical shop, such as Wright Eye Center.
The center is open Monday through Friday. Lindley said typically there is not a waitlist so patients can be seen quickly. She said they will start opening earlier in the morning after the first of the year to accommodate patients who need to be seen before they go to work.
“What sets us apart is our surgery center is attached to our clinic. With us, you’re having everything done at this location,” Lindley said. “And we think our surgeons are the greatest. We have fantastic outcomes and happy patients.”
