WILMINGTON, NC — Surgical Eye Care, the areas original “surgery only” eye practice led by Dr Alan Brown and Dr Dax Hawkins has recently expanded their services to offer office based cataract surgery in an effort to meet the growing needs of patients stranded by a medical system turned upside down by Covid 19.

Dr Hawkins performed the first Office Based Cataract Surgery on June 13th in an in-office procedure room outfitted especially for advanced cataract surgery. “We knew we had to do something to help patients receive the sight restoring surgery they need, especially when our usual outpatient surgery centers have cut available surgery slots in half as a result of the Covid 19 crisis” said Dr Hawkins. Office based cataract surgery has several advantages over outpatient centers including avoiding the crowds of larger surgical facilities, the ability to have a light breakfast on the day of surgery, and the ability to avoid an IV needle stick since all of the sedation is given orally.

Surgical Eye Care addressed the new Covid 19 safety needs through several office upgrades. In addition to the usual precautions, the practice installed 3 additional air filtration systems that purify the air with a UV type C light, an ozone generator, and an ion generator. Each room in the practice also has what the staff calls “the Covid Blaster Death Ray” an intense UV-C light that helps purify the room. After every step of the patient encounter, all areas are sprayed with a high concentration alcohol spray, and all staff and patients wear nose and mouth coverings.

“We appreciate all the hard work that has gone into allowing Surgical Eye Care to be able to offer the latest concept in advanced cataract surgery performed in a safe atmosphere.” said Dr Brown. “Hopefully the office surgery will help patients get the care they need when they need it.”