Dr. Collins was recently featured in one of our favorite magazines- Living Local.
Having a Vision at Collins Vision
In 2004, Dr. Michael J. Collins started with a vision to create a unique medical experience where patients were always greeted with enthusiasm, taken care of in a timely fashion, and received personalized care throughout their visit. Collins Vision has grown exponentially since 2004, but one thing has never changed: Their unwavering commitment to provide the very best eye care in Southwest Florida.
According to the Small Business Association, 30% of new businesses fail during the first two years of being open, and 50% fail during the first five years. Not only did Dr. Michael Collins, Founder and Medical Director of Collins Vision, survive those odds, but he thrived in spite of them.
“It’s not easy to start a new business regardless of what that business is, where you come from, what you know or who you know,” says the board-certified ophthalmologist. He continues, “I started my own practice 14 years ago with big dreams, very little cash flow, and a defiant desire to succeed, but even I did not anticipate the kind of growth we’ve had in recent years.”
He began by leasing a small office space in Southwest Florida and within five years was able to design and move into his “dream office.” Dr. Collins says, “I still remember walking into the relatively huge office and it seemed too big. I thought we had made a mistake.”
Even with his consistent growth, Dr. Collins thought many of the rooms would sit empty for years, so he asked the staff to keep the doors closed. He didn’t want to “spook the patients” or himself. Fast forward another five years and not only are those rooms full, but the practice once again needs more space.
Growing up, Dr. Collins excelled in math and science. Fascinated and amazed by the human body, he originally planned to follow in his uncle’s footsteps and become a physical therapist.
Instead, he ended up in medical school at Vanderbilt University and completed his eye surgery residency at Emory University. During his advanced fellowship training in cornea and refractive surgery at Hunkeler Eye Institute with Dr. Dan Durrie in Kansas City, Dr. Collins was active in ophthalmic research and played significant investigator roles during numerous FDA clinical trials.
When Dr. Collins hangs up his lab coat for the day, you’ll likely find him taking part in outdoor activities. He enjoys golf, scuba diving, and fishing. His true passion, besides medicine, is fly-fishing. The surgeon enjoys fishing so much that he travels around the world to exotic places like the Seychelles to quench his thirst for the sport.
His love of outdoor sports makes him particularly interested in helping Southwest Floridians care for their vision, so they too can better enjoy the many activities that people move here to pursue.
Dr. Collins specializes in refractive cataract surgery, where the goal is to remove a patient’s cataract AND their bifocals at the same time.
Describing the procedure, Dr. Collins says, “Refractive cataract surgery is an advanced procedure that goes above and beyond traditional cataract surgery to deliver exceptional results designed to fit my patients vision and their lifestyle, which of course is something very important to our active Southwest Florida residents.”
The practice’s promise to provide more personalized care also involves using the most up-to-date technology and latest treatments available in eye care without compromising safety; things like femtosecond laser technology and premium intraocular lenses.
Each and every surgical plan at Collins Vision is specifically designed and customized for the patient, considering aspects such as their lifestyle and the health of their eyes.
If you’re considering cataract surgery and would like to be less dependent on glasses, Dr. Collins encourages you to do your own research. He says, “Make sure that you seek out a cataract surgeon who is also an expert in refractive surgery. Ensure that the practice is up-to-date on technology including newer diagnostic equipment, that the surgeon offers a variety of special types of intraocular lenses, and a femtosecond laser is used to perform parts of the surgery.”
It’s also extremely important that you feel comfortable with your surgeon. Dr. Collins explains, “You should leave your consultation feeling confident and excited about your upcoming surgery and potential new vision.”
At Collins Vision, patients are treated like family. When we asked the friendly staff to come up with three words that best describe Dr. Collins, they said focused, compassionate and confident.
Taking stock of his practice over the last decade, Dr. Collins says, “I feel very fortunate that I get to come to work every day and use my brain and my hands to help people see better! I am truly passionate about what I do. I know that can be a rarity in life.”
Not only does Collins Vision help patients see better, new services are being offered that allow them to look and feel better too. New to the team is Dr. Stephen Jones, an oculoplastic surgeon, who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive ocular surgery.
You will be able to learn more about Dr. Jones and the unique services and talent that he brings to Collins Vision in next month’s issue. If you are having problems with your vision, including cataracts, give Collins Vision a call.
