Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute

1 IN 6 PEOPLE in America older than 40 have cataracts. But most don’t cause vision problems that limit lifestyle until after the age of 60.
COMMON SYMPTOMS:
☑️ Blurry or cloudy vision
☑️ Glare or sensitivity to bright light
☑️ Difficulty seeing at night
☑️ Needing more light to read
☑️ Colors are faded or yellow
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it might be time to schedule an eye exam with your family optometrist.

IS LASIK RIGHT FOR YOU?
Although a stable prescription, healthy eyes, and certain vision measurements may qualify you for LASIK, your personality and expectations are equally important.
Good Candidates:
☑️ Feel handicapped by dependence on corrective lenses.
☑️ Have not been very successful with contacts.
☑️ Want more freedom to participate in sports and other activities.
☑️ Feel they look better without glasses.
☑️ Worry about being unable to function if corrective lenses were misplaced.
☑️ Believe good natural vision without the hassle of corrective lenses is more important than perfect vision with corrective lenses.
☑️ Are generally easygoing and adaptable.
☑️ Are not obsessive perfectionists.
To see if you are a good candidate schedule a FREE LASIK screening – call or text one of our skilled educators at 800.884.7254

CATARACT PATIENT IN TACOMA, WA
PCLI did a fabulous job on my cataracts. I had extreme astigmatism in both eyes, and I can see beautifully. They resolved my cataracts and installed new lenses wonderfully. I would recommend them to anyone. They have this process down to a science, and I enjoyed all the staff. They were all incredible.

Cataract Surgery
With our surgeons’ skill, treatment usually takes less than 10 minutes. Advanced-technology premium options are available that may enable us to optimize your visual outcome. This can include bifocal, trifocal, and continuous-focus lens implants, astigmatism correction, high-tech imaging, and the use of precision lasers.
LASIK Vision Correction
Treatment is a sophisticated, state-of-the-art procedure designed to reduce dependence on corrective eyewear. Our surgeons use precise, computer-guided laser systems to evaporate a small amount of tissue and adjust the eye’s focusing power. This is usually less than the thickness of a human hair. Most people can return to work the next day.
Visit www.pcli.com to learn more!

Spooky Eye Safety
Halloween contact lenses can be a fun addition to a costume, but wearing lenses without a prescription from a doctor can lead to serious eye health issues and potentially damage your vision. If you are considering decorative contact lenses this Halloween, please see your family eye doctor for an evaluation.

Flex Spending Account

Looking for a way to spend your remaining FSA dollars? Schedule a FREE LASIK screening – call or text one of our skilled educators at 800.884.7254

Join us in welcoming Dr. Matthew Wojcik
Optometric Physician at Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute—Yakima, Washington.
Friendly, easygoing and caring, Matthew Wojcik is engaging and enjoys meeting and interacting with people. Born in Akron, Ohio, he grew up in the nearby town of Cuyahoga Falls. Matthew’s interest in eye care began at age 16 when he shadowed an optometric physician as part of a class requirement. He enjoys exercise, including running, hiking and lifting weights. Matthew lives in Yakima, Washington.

Join us in welcoming Dr. Sally Mellgren
Cataract Surgeon at Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute—Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Gentle, compassionate, and committed to her profession, Sally Mellgren has a way of listening to people that makes them feel genuinely heard and cared for. Originally from Texas, Sally grew up in southern California before moving to New Mexico. She enjoys travel, international eye missions, golf, gardening, and tending a pistachio orchard of 2,000 trees. Sally and her husband, Paul, reside in Roswell with much-loved pets, a cat and a dog.

LASIK PATIENT IN GREAT FALLS, MT
“I had LASIK this spring, and I regret not getting it sooner! The staff and doctor make sure you are comfortable and at ease before and during everything. It was an amazing experience.”
We love getting feedback from patients about their experience at PCLI!

Join us in welcoming Dr. Joanne Bachman!
Optometric Physician at Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute—Tacoma, Washington
Outgoing, cheerful and kindhearted, Dr. Bachman approaches patient care with a genuine desire to listen and build a rapport of trust. Born in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Joanne grew up in a tightly knit military family that moved around a lot. Her dad was an army optometrist and her mom was an army nurse. Joanne enjoys spending time with her daughter, Sofia, and fiancée, Chris, camping, hiking and paddle boarding. She lives in Tacoma, Washington.

80% of what a child learns before the age of 12 is through the eyes.
Undiagnosed vision and eye health problems can interfere with academic and social success. Don’t let poor vision hold your child back! Call your family eye doctor to schedule their eye exam today.

2023 Washington Optometrist of the Year
Mark Everett, OD – PCLI, Spokane
Congratulations Dr. Everett on your very deserving award. Thank you for your continued service to the community, optometry and PCLI!
📸 Optometric Physicians of Washington

Starting in September, Marshall Ford, MD, will be our Boise office's primary cataract and LASIK surgeon!
Marshall graduated from university with a degree in mechanical engineering. After medical school and ophthalmology residency, Dr. Ford went on to pursue specialty training in cornea and refractive surgery. He was also privileged to receive LASIK training at the U.S. Naval Medical Center in San Diego, one of several high-profile specialty facilities where naval aviators and U.S. Marines receive laser vision correction.
Our Chehalis, Washington facility has been Dr. Ford’s home base for the last eleven years. He has regularly provided surgery in Idaho, but with his move to the Gem State, he looks forward to becoming better acquainted with people in the community and the region’s natural beauty.

What is LASIK?
Watch the video to learn more.
If you have questions or want to book a free screening, call or text our skilled LASIK educators at 800.884.7254

LASIK: Introduction Watch the video to learn more.

Meet Dr. Debi Patch, OD, FAAO
Optometric Physician at Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute—Bellevue, Washington
Friendly, compassionate and relatable, Debi Patch has a quick wit, engaging personality, and a caring heart. Born in Maryland, Debi grew up in southern California. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, crosswording, baking sourdough bread and studying the science behind all things culinary. She also loves to travel and explore new places. Debi and her husband, Sean, a teacher, live in Bellevue, Washington. They have a daughter and son—Zoe and Charlie.

Dr. Shelley admits to feeling anxious about his procedure. “But everyone at PCLI was so efficient, friendly, knowledgeable, reassuring and competent. They were absolutely terrific." In the waiting room, he found himself reassuring others. "I told other patients, 'You are so lucky you are here. I'm an ophthalmologist, and I do these procedures. This is where I chose to come for mine.'"
Click the link below to read our patient newsletter, Pacific Visions.
https://www.pcli.com/pacificvisions/

Due to inclement weather our Silverdale, Chehalis, Vancouver, Portland and Tualatin offices will be closed today.

Tis’ the season. To allow our PCLI family time with their loved ones, our offices will be closed Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd.
To reach the office nearest you, call 800.224.7254. In Alaska, call 800.557.7254.

“I was nervous going in on the day I had my first cataract surgery not knowing what to expect. They did a great job calming me down and everything went excellently. I was much calmer and relaxed for my second cataract surgery for the laser surgery I had on both eyes. Everything went very well and I have had excellent results. I am thrilled with the huge improvement in my vision. This whole experience was easy and painless. I like my dentist, but this was much easier and there was absolutely no pain. Everyone that I was in contact with was very professional, kind, reassuring and answered my questions. I highly recommend this office if you need cataract or laser surgery.”
We love getting feedback from patients about their experience at PCLI!
patientcare

Meet Dr. Jennifer Ramey
Optometric Physician at Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute — Lewiston, Idaho.
Outgoing, caring and down-to-earth, Jenny Ramey is thorough, has a calm, polite demeanor that is comfortable to be around, and enjoys a good laugh. She was born in Hurst, Texas and grew up in this suburb of Fort Worth. Her interests are CrossFit, hiking, canoeing, water sports, snow skiing, mentoring students in color guard, and spending time with family. Jenny lives in Lewiston, Idaho.

Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute is a great place to work!
Make a positive impact on many lives, work with super nice people, thrive in a great company culture, and enjoy awesome benefits!
• Generous profit-sharing
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Rich medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Clothing allowance
• Amazing 50% match to 401k contributions
• 20% part-time pay differential
• Eligible for free LASIK
Currently hiring in

Your eyes will be thanking you this Thanksgiving!
Almost every item on a traditional Thanksgiving table is healthy for your eyesight. Here are some popular dishes and why your eyes will be thanking you.
Sweet potatoes are full of beta-carotene which promotes overall healthy eyesight.
Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin A that provides nourishment and protection to the eye’s lens, cornea, and macula.
Spinach, Green Bean Casserole, Asparagus and Brussel Sprouts are loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that protect the retinas.
Cranberries are a great source of antioxidants which helps protect the eyes from free radical damage.

To all the veterans out there… we salute you! Thank you for your service and sacrifice!

“The care and professionalism were excellent! The outcome of the procedure performed was outstanding! I can not recommend PCLI enough, very, very pleased! Highly recommend!”
We love getting feedback from patients about their experience at PCLI!
To reach our office nearest you, call toll free 800.224.7254. In Alaska, call 800.557.7254.

2022 Great Western Council of Optometry Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. David Stanfield, OD – Chehalis, WA
Congratulations Dr. Stanfield, on your most deserving award. Thank you for your continual efforts to advance and improve the profession of optometry in the community and here at PCLI!

Do you prefer to text?
Simply text the number of the nearest PCLI to schedule an appointment, get directions, receive a billing statement or have other common questions answered.
907.272.2423 Anchorage, AK
208.385.7576 Boise, ID
208.746.2025 Lewiston, ID
406.454.2202 Great Falls, MT
505.797.4466 Albuquerque, NM
503.535.2883 Portland, OR
503.691.2283 Tualatin, OR
425.462.7664 Bellevue, WA
360.738.6860 Bellingham, WA
360.748.8632 Chehalis, WA
509.736.0826 Kennewick, WA
360.252.1642 Olympia, WA
360.698.5062 Silverdale, WA
509.456.5380 Spokane, WA
253.473.0275 Tacoma, WA
360.694.2544 Vancouver, WA
509.966.1356 Yakima, WA

Healthy vision is important to your child’s development!
As part of your annual back-to-school routine, schedule an in-person eye exam with your family optometrist.

“I had LASIK 6 months ago and I am so happy with the result. I have 20/20 vision and don't have to rely on glasses or contacts anymore! I would recommend this place to anyone considering an eye procedure.”
We love getting feedback from patients about their experience at PCLI!
To connect with our skilled and friendly LASIK educators, call or text 800.884.7254.

2022 Oregon Optometrist of the Year
Ami Halvorson, OD – PCLI, Portland
Congratulations Dr. Halvorson on your very deserving award. Thank you for your continued service to the community, optometry and PCLI!

Tax-free way to pay for LASIK
Temporary changes to flexible health spending accounts (FSAs) are providing a tax-free way to pay for laser vision correction. For participating employers, 2021 account balances can be carried over into 2022. Combining 2021 accounts with 2022 FSA contributions, it is possible to have more than $5,600 in pretax dollars available for eligible medical expenses like LASIK.
Steps to Use Your FSA Contributions for LASIK
1. See if your company has opted for the flexible FSA deadlines
for 2021-2022.
2. Check your current FSA balance.
3. Schedule a FREE LASIK evaluation – call or text one of our
skilled educators at 800.884.7254

Did you know the US Military utilizes laser vision correction instead of contact lenses or glasses for many service men and women? In fact, military surgeons perform about 20% of all laser vision correction cases done nationwide.
If you are considering LASIK, call or text one of our skilled refractive educators to get started today. 1.800.884.7254

AOA elects new Board of Trustees
Dr. Paul Barney was elected to the AOA Board of Trustees for a two-year term. Paul was unanimously endorsed by the Great Western Council of Optometry (GWCO).
👏 Congrats Dr. Barney!

“My eyesight has been terrible since I was a kid, so I finally decided to get LASIK. The whole process was extremely easy, stress-free, and quick. Life has changed completely because of it.”
We love getting feedback from patients about their experience with PCLI!
To connect with our skilled and friendly LASIK educators, call or text 800.884.7254.

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.
~Maya Angelou
A group of PCLI staff just returned from an eye mission trip in Guatemala. In 5 surgical days, 237 patients were treated. Some had surgery on both eyes.
We’re blessed with an amazing team of volunteers!
HELPS International

Meet Dr. Victoria Roan
Optometric Physician at Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute — Bellevue, Washington.
Friendly, optimistic and outgoing, Dr. Roan’s kind, even-keeled approach quickly puts people at ease. Born in San Jose, California, Dr. Roan grew up in the heart of Silicon Valley. She enjoys hiking, camping, nature, arts and crafts, photography and traveling. Dr. Roan and her veterinarian husband, Bobby, live in Kirkland, Washington, a suburb of Seattle.

Responding to the inner call to give back, a number of PCLI doctors and staff are currently volunteering their time at an eye surgery mission in Guatemala.
These patients had cataract surgery yesterday.

Here’s a friendly reminder to schedule a FREE LASIK evaluation!
Call one of our skilled refractive educators to get started today. 1.800.884.7254

Brynn Markowsky, PUCO class of 2023, is the recipient of this year’s PCLI endowed scholarship.
Congratulations Brynn!