Maryland Eye Associates

Eye Care

Keeping up with new techniques and technology is important in any medical specialty, including the practice of ophthalmology. While operations like cataract removal and corrective LASIK surgery have been around for many years, new technologies continue to bring about improvements in surgical outcomes and length of time in the operating room for these and other procedures.

Cataract and refractive surgeon Michael Dodd, M.D., and his colleagues at Maryland Eye Associates are committed to keeping up with the latest treatments and techniques, while providing a full range of eye care. With more than 75 years of combined practice experience, the group offers vision exams and contact lens fittings as well as glaucoma screenings, oculoplastic consultations, pediatric exams and the latest surgical procedures. “We are medical doctors—eye M.D.s,” Dr. Dodd says. “We treat all kinds of medical conditions of the eye and we perform surgery.”

“We are medical doctors — eye M.D.s. We treat all kinds of medical conditions of the eye and we perform surgery.”

Cataract surgery—a procedure in which the clouded lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial implant—is the most common surgery performed on the eye. The five physicians of Maryland Eye Associates perform a total of 500-800 cataract surgeries a year.

The comprehensive eye examinations performed by Maryland Eye Associates can reveal and diagnose not only problems of the eye but medical conditions elsewhere in the body, such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or hypertension. “We inspect the retina to make sure the eye is healthy,” Dr. Dodd explains. “In the course of that exam, we may see hemorrhages and exudates which are signs of diabetes.”

Maryland Eye Associates enjoys a distinctive relationship with Dr. Ramzi K. Hemady, former acting chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Hemady comes to Annapolis on a monthly basis to consult with Maryland Eye Associates on their most complicated cases. “Our affiliation with the University of Maryland is unique,” Dr. Dodd says.

Maryland Eye Associates sees patients at three locations—Annapolis, Upper Marlboro and Prince Frederick. The practice also shares affiliation and ownership of ambulatory surgery centers in two locations—Calvert County and Anne Arundel County.

Dr. Dodd, an assistant clinical professor at University of Maryland, started the practice 34 years ago in Prince Frederick. He has since been joined by Kathleen Miller, M.D., with interest in cataract surgery; Jason Wanner, D.O., with interest in complex glaucoma problems and surgery and a University of Maryland faculty member; David Benderson, M.D.,with interest in the newest lens implants and LASIK surgery; Kristin Biggee, M.D., a specialist in comprehensive ophthalmology; and optometrist Scott Burge, O.D., who specializes in contact lenses with interest in complex corneal problems and low vision.

Dr. Dodd attributes the success of the group to hard work, ethical practices and honest appraisals. “We treat all of our patients fairly,” he says. “We don’t recommend inappropriate surgery and we don’t participate in any fee sharing with referring doctors. We take a conservative approach and our patients trust us because of that.”

Maryland Eye Associates
2629 Riva Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
410-224-4550

www.marylandvision.com

Pictured from left: (seated) Dr. Kristin Biggee (standing) Dr. Jason Wanner, Dr. Michael J. Dodd, Dr. David Benderson
Photography: Richard Allen