Vision correction surgery in Gig Harbor

Local opthamologist offers outpatient eye surgery

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

Gig Harbor residents no longer have to travel out of town to receive specialized vision correction.

Dr. Matthew Bushley offers cataract surgery, LASIK and PRK surgery at the Gig Harbor Medical Clinic.

Bushley is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who has been working with the Franciscan Health System since August 2007. Before he joined Franciscan, he completed his advanced training at Duke University Eye Center and acted as Chief of Cataract Surgery and Assistant Chief of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Madigan Army Medical Center near Fort Lewis.

“I am the only one to offer surgery here locally in the harbor,” he said. “I offer a full range of services, including the latest technologies, such as the newer intraocular lens implants, for my cataract surgery patients.”

Bushley, who lives in Gig Harbor, is a reviewer for the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and has had book chapters and multiple articles published in peer-reviewed journals. He has received awards for his teaching and research from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Duke University Eye Center and the residents at Madigan Army Medical Center.

Bushley said he’s amazed at how far the eye-care field has advanced in the past few years.

“There are more cataract surgery and lens implant options,” he said. “There is an option of choosing a lens implant with a full range of focus: near, intermediate and far-away vision.”

Bushley’s practice focuses on cataract surgery and diseases of the cornea.

“The part of my job I love is that, with a fairly quick procedure, I can change somebody’s life. Imagine waking up in the morning and being able to see the clock across the room, or being able to drive for the first time without glasses.”

Bushely’s assistant, Hannah Stabnow, said her mother had LASIK surgery and still can’t believe the difference.

“She says, ‘I can see the leaves on the trees,’ ” Stabnow said. “She says she used to be able to see a tree but couldn’t see the individual leaves. She still reaches for her glasses before she realizes she doesn’t need them.”

Same Day Surgery Center

Dr. Matthew Bushley specializes in cataract surgery and diseases of the cornea. The Gig Harbor Medical Clinic and Gig Harbor Same Day Surgery Center is located at 6401 Kimball Drive NW. For more information, call 253-858-4307.