EyeHealth Northwest expands Eastside Surgery Center with first UNITY cataract system in Oregon

EyeHealth Northwest completed a major expansion of its Eastside Surgery Center in Happy Valley, adding three operating rooms and becoming the first facility in Oregon to offer the UNITY Cataract System. The upgrade is aimed at increasing surgical capacity, reducing wait times and bringing newer cataract technology closer to Portland-area patients.

Why it matters: - The expansion increases surgical capacity for cataract patients across the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington. - The addition of the UNITY® Cataract System gives EyeHealth Northwest a new platform for cataract procedures in Oregon. - The renovated center is designed to support shorter wait times and more care closer to home.

What happened: - EyeHealth Northwest completed a major expansion at its Eastside Surgery Center in Happy Valley. - The project added three new operating rooms. - The center became the first in Oregon to offer the UNITY® Cataract System for cataract surgery. - The Eastside Surgery Center is located at 12050 SE Stevens Road in Happy Valley. - The facility has served the community since 2004.

The details: - The UNITY® Cataract System integrates key steps of the cataract surgery workflow into a single platform. - The system is intended to give surgeons greater control and consistency during procedures. - EyeHealth Northwest said the expansion reflects an investment in eye care for patients in the greater Portland and Southwest Washington area. - The company said the new operating rooms and the UNITY® system are meant to improve surgical precision, efficiency and the patient experience. - EyeHealth Northwest said the expanded facility will support a higher volume of surgeries. - EyeHealth Northwest also said the site will help reduce wait times. - The practice said the upgrade keeps care close to home for patients on the eastside of the Portland metro area. - Matthew Kaufman, MD, said the expansion allows surgeons to serve more patients while improving quality, safety and personal attention.

Between the lines: - The expansion signals continued competition among regional eye-care providers to add capacity and newer surgical technology. - The move also reflects rising demand for ophthalmic care in the region, especially for cataract surgery. - EyeHealth Northwest is positioning its Eastside Surgery Center as a higher-volume, more advanced surgical site within its network.

What's next: - EyeHealth Northwest will use the expanded Eastside Surgery Center to handle more procedures. - Patients seeking cataract surgery or other eye care can get more information at the company's website or by calling (503) 557-4775. - The practice will continue operating as a physician-owned ophthalmology group with 18 locations across the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington.

The bottom line: - EyeHealth Northwest is betting that more operating rooms and the first UNITY® Cataract System in Oregon will help it meet growing demand while tightening the patient experience.