Meet The Team At Finnegan Eye Care Center in Bloomsburg

By Shawn H. Stair
Press Enterprise Special Editions Editor

SCOTT TWP. — Dr. Gary Finnegan of Finnegan Eye Care Center has proudly served the area for 28 years at 1901 Columbia Blvd. (Route 11) in Scott Township. The practice is always growing, and he’s constantly looking for ways to better serve patients. Two recent additions are the hiring of Dr. Brian Markowski, and the purchase of more advanced diagnostic equipment.

“I have a passion for using the most advanced diagnostic technology for the earliest diagnosis of all aspects of eye disease,” Finnegan said.

New technology

Some of the new technology includes the Neurolens Eye Alignment Measurement Device. The technology provides an objective, accurate and repeatable way to measure eye alignment and drift from optimal positioning. It’s incredible technology for people with problems such as headaches, neck pain, eye strain, eye fatigue, dry eye sensation, migraines and motion sickness that may be vision related. Dr. Finnegan said he’s had encouraging results with patients, including the use of transitional prismatic lenses that bend and focus light differently than regular optical lenses and are particularly helpful for those with double vision. The Neurolenses have also helped children improve reading speed and tracking skills.

Finnegan has also acquired advanced electroretinography (ERG) technology. Electroretinography measures the electrical response of various cells in the retina via skin electrodes and flashing displays for earlier detection and management of various eye diseases. The new technology is also very useful for monitoring several drugs that are potentially toxic to the eye, particularly the drug Plaquenil, which is often prescribed by rheumatologists for arthritis and lupus. The practice also offers advanced dry eye therapy utilizing amniotic stem cell biologic membranes to help treat burning, tearing and numerous other symptoms. The office also provides lipiflow, miboflow and blephex procedures to help with dry eye symptoms.

In addition, they have the technology to perform optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive ultrasound imaging test using light waves to take cross-section pictures of the retina. This helps doctors with diagnosis and provides treatment guidance for glaucoma and diseases of the retina such as age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) and diabetic eye disease.

Help people see better

“We always use the latest, most advanced lenses for glasses and customized contact lenses, even for patients with the most unique vision difficulties,” Dr. Finnegan said.

The addition of a full time associate Dr. Brian Markowski has helped reduce wait times for patients.

“Dr. Markowski’s knowledge, clinical skills, and personality are a huge asset both to the practice and the entire Bloomsburg area,” said Dr. Finnegan.

The optical center offers 2,000 high-end, fashionable frames from leading designers, including Coach, Dolce and Gabbana, Armani, Brooks Brothers and Vera Bradley. While the dedicated sunglasses center offers styles from trendsetters like Oakley, Maui Jim, Costa Del Mar and Ray-Ban.

The practice also offers an array of other services and products, such as sports glasses, industrial safety glasses and emergency treatment of foreign objects/chemical burns in the eye.

The practice also recently implemented a new electronic health records system which has now greatly improved check-in, check-out and automated recalls.

About the Doctors

Dr. Finnegan received his Bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory medicine from Wilkes University, a Bachelor’s degree in visual sciences and a Doctor of Optometry degree from Salus University. He obtained clinical training at The Eye Institute of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Naval Hospital and Lankenau Hospital Ophthalmology Clinic. He is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Optometry. He is an active member of the American and Pennsylvania optometric associations, National Glaucoma Society, American Diabetes Association and a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Dr. Markowski received his Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from the University of Scranton and his Doctor of Optometry degree from Salus University. He obtained clinical training at The Eye Institute of Philadelphia (graduating with clinical honors), Draisin Vision Group and the Durham VA Medical Center in North Carolina. Dr. Markowski is a member of the American and Pennsylvania optometric associations.

Dr. Finnegan would like to take this opportunity to thank his patients for entrusting him and his office staff for their eye care needs over the many years. Finnegan Eye Care Center is taking new patients of all ages and accepts most insurances. For more information, call 570-387-0991.