Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute gets new, larger building in Kennewick

The largest ophthalmologic surgery center in the Tri-Cities has a new home, with more than twice as much space to treat patients.

Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute moved into its new building at 6695 W. Rio Grande Ave. in Kennewick about a month ago. The $4 million facility is about 22,000 square feet, with 15 exam rooms and four surgery suites.

Pacific Cataract's former home on Grandridge Boulevard -- it was there for about 20 years -- had six exam rooms and four surgery suites.

"The purpose of us building (the new facility) is really so that we can continue to restore sight to the wonderful people of the Columbia Basin," said manager Rich Parker.

Pacific Cataract focuses mainly on cataract and LASIK surgeries, although its surgeons also perform many corneal transplants, he said.

It has two ophthalmologist/surgeons and four optometrists. One of the surgeons, Dr. James Guzek, recently returned from leading an eye surgery clinic team to Ethiopia.

Dr. Brian Johnson, an optometrist at the center, also made the trip. Read about it on the Herald's website at bit.ly/rotaryethiopia.

Parker said the Pacific Cataract team performs 500 to 600 surgeries a month, and he hopes to see the number rise by 100 by the end of summer.

The work is fulfilling, he said.

"We deal with giving sight back to people," Parker said. "It's very rewarding."

-- Online: pcli.com

-- Sara Schilling: 582-1529; sschilling@tricityherald.com; Twitter: @saraTCHerald

This story was originally published May 31, 2013 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute gets new, larger building in Kennewick ."