June means we are halfway through 2025. It’s the month of the summer solstice and of countless family vacations for millions of Americans. June is also Cataract Awareness Month, and at Collins Vision, that gets us more excited than any other of June’s offerings. Why? Because we love educating our patients about the amazing and life changing marvel of modern cataract surgery!
At Collins Vision, we believe cataract surgery is an opportunity. That’s right. It’s an opportunity to achieve visual freedom; maybe even the kind of vision that is better than you have ever experienced before.
See, our board certified ophthalmologists specialize in a procedure we call Refractive Cataract Surgery, where the goal is to remove your cataract and reduce your dependency on glasses at the same time by correcting refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia with a premium intraocular lens. It’s a revolutionary procedure that goes beyond standard cataract surgery to deliver amazing results designed to fit your unique vision and lifestyle.
Cataract Basics
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens that occurs as we age. This cloudiness blocks and distorts light passing through the eye, impeding clear vision. Symptoms include cloudy or blurry vision, colors may appear dull, poor night vision (especially when driving!), glares or halos around lights and difficulty reading in low-light settings.
Cataracts are extremely common! By age 80, most people have either have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. Well over two million men and women undergo cataract surgery every year, making it one of the most common and most successful medical procedures in the U.S. today.
Experience and Expertise Matter When Choosing A Cataract Surgeon
We know deciding on who to have your cataract surgery with is a huge decision. Your precious sight is incredibly valuable and to a large degree, your independence depends on it. Our three board-certified eye surgeons have specialized training and years of experience in performing cataract surgery.
Michael J. Collins, MD, founder of Collins Vision, is a sought-after cataract surgeon with decades of experience. He’s a fellowship-trained cataract and refractive specialist and a founding member of the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences. Dr. Collins has been the recipient of the prestigious Castle Connolly Top Doctor award every year since 2014, and in 2021, he was named “Best Cataract Surgeon” in Fort Myers by News-Press.
Jason C. Friedrichs, MD, MS, a board-certified ophthalmologist, earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford and completed his residency at the renowned University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology, deemed one of the best ophthalmology training centers in the country by Ophthalmology Times and U.S. News & World Report. He is a partner at Collins Vision and specializes in Refractive Cataract Surgery and primarily serves patients at our Naples location where he has recently been nominated for “Best Cataract Surgeon” in the Naples Daily News Community Choice awards.
Bradley P. O’Neill, DO, is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist with advanced subspecialty training in cataract and refractive surgery. A lifelong resident of Southwest Florida, he is committed to providing world-class care to his patients, helping them achieve excellent outcomes using the latest technology. Dr. O’Neill completed his doctorate with honors at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by an internship and residency at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where he served as Chief Resident. He serves patients at our Punta Gorda location.
See the Difference with the Vision You Deserve
Collins Vision provides comprehensive eye care including cataract surgery, LASIK vision correction surgery, oculoplastic surgery, glaucoma evaluation and surgery, retina evaluation and has an impressive optical boutique, which carries brands for every style and budget.
With locations in Fort Myers, Naples, and Punta Gorda, Collins Vision has been Southwest Florida’s trusted eye care provider since 2004. Awarded and recognized many times over for philanthropy, expertise and community impact, we are deeply grateful to our wonderful Collins Vision patient family.
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of cataracts, we invite you to schedule an appointment with one of our caring providers today.
