Cancel

Open app

Search

Pacific Northwest Retina

4.7 (3 reviews)
Closed • 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Pacific Northwest Retina Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Pacific Northwest Retina

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

3 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of A P.
0
45
0

9 months ago

I've seen multiple doctors at this location, and each visit has been professional, timely, and helpful.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 11
Thanks 0
Love this 11
Oh no 0

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Retina Specialists 202 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Pacific Northwest Retina - Bellingham clinic lobby

Pacific Northwest Retina

3.5(2 reviews)
6.2 mi

I didn't see it coming. Years ago, kids would say, "Cross my fingers and hope to die, stick a…read moreneedle in my eye" when they wanted to prove they were telling the absolute so-help-me-God truth. But I never thought I'd be crossing my fingers, hoping I won't go blind and telling a surgeon to go ahead and stick a needle in my eye. At least that's what reattaching a detached retina initially sounded like to me. Boy, was I wrong! It all a started with something creeping into the bottom of my right eye, like maybe a small animal running past me down low. I mistook it as an early "floater," signaling the need some day in the future for cataract surgery. But it grew like a rising moon, blocking a third of my right-eye vision, then about half, then three-quarters. If I had gone earlier to my ophthalmologist, I might have had a relatively quick laser fix but, instead, I squirted some Visine eye drops in hopes it would somehow magically clear my vision. A speedy trip to my ophthalmologist would have been a better choice because it is considered an "emergent " problem that merits immediate attention. I waited a little too long but I got in touch with my ophthalmologist at Cascadia Eye in Stanwood who suggested regional eye specialists at Pacific Northwest Retina with clinics in Bellevue, Bellingham, Burlington that specialize in these types of surgeries. They performed laser surgery in Bellevue on the very same day as multiple clinic team assessments were made in Bellingham. The travel from one to the other was well worth it. All doctors and staff were very pleasant, very talented, fun to be with, and very efficient to process and complete the surgery without waiting. The technology is amazing and more than I can wrap my brain around but, as I understand it, the surgeon put my torn retina back in it's place and held it where it belongs with a temporary gas bubble holding it there, then fastened it with laser flashes -- done with partial anesthesia and zero discomfort. The commonly used short acting gas Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) expands mildly then slowly shrinks 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. Like most unexpected challenges in life, the recovery process is a good opportunity for "time-out" soul searching, life review "insights", meditation, playing calming music and listening to upbeat audible books. Some people prop up a mirror on the floor to watch television from a rented $200-$400 per week ergonomically designed face-down chair. I used rolled up quilts and pillows to do pretty much the same thing in my recliner chair. You will appreciate a patient partner, like my professional retired wife Julie, who keeps an eye out for you, so to speak, and squirts eye drops several times a day for the next four weeks. Keeping the gas bubble pressed against your retina is the key to a positive outcome. That process may arguably be the most difficult part -- sitting face down looking at your feet, elbows on kneels and hands holding your head up makes you look like a worn out old patient in crisis with a headache but it really is the vital key to restoring sight and gives some comfort too. When walking around, you will need to stoop over a little bit, head down "nose to toes." This regimen is necessary 90 percent of the time for at least three days with only a few catnaps likely. I spent the nights sitting in a recliner, bent over a thick rolled-up quilt face down on pillows stacked on my knees. (Oddly enough, the only discomfort was neck and back pain similar to whiplash due to the constant downward position.) Similarly, sitting in a chair face down on a pillow at the edge of a dining room or folding table works too. After three days face down you graduate to gathering pillows and blankets for a living room campout, sleeping upright in a recliner for about a week. As the healing process continues with a few headaches and tears, it's a bit like walking with one eye submerged in a swimming pool as the bubble very slowly oozes down a little bit more day by day. Before you know it the bubble recedes and your vision returns to varying levels. Each patient's outcome is said to be slightly different. But oh so better than losing sight in an eye.

I had an appointment here recently, and they made some mistakes when scheduling it (didn't read the…read morechart notes clearly enough), but that's not the basis of this review. While I was in the exam room, I could clearly hear the entire conversation in the exam room next door, where a doctor was speaking extremely condescendingly toward a patient to whom he was giving bad news and advising immediate treatment. The woman seemed to speak english as a second language, and was struggling to process what he was telling her (and was probably just stunned to need a procedure on her eye). I could hear the doctor speak really demeaningly toward her, minimizing her distress and borderline insulting her intelligence when she asked clarifying questions. The lack of auditory privacy aside, there's no excuse for a medical provider to speak to a patient this way. I don't know who the doctor was, but be forewarned when visiting this location.

Photos
Pacific Northwest Retina - One of the face down recovery beds available for rent around Puget Sound

One of the face down recovery beds available for rent around Puget Sound

Pacific Northwest Retina - One way to spend a day looking at your iPhone or reading a book and taking a nap.

One way to spend a day looking at your iPhone or reading a book and taking a nap.

Pacific Northwest Retina - Review author John Dean

See all

Review author John Dean

Retina Center Northwest

Retina Center Northwest

4.0(10 reviews)
17.1 mi

Although the doctors at Retina Center NW are outstanding, the apparent "triage" service is not!…read moreToday I contacted the Silverdale Retina Center because two days ago I had a retinal bleed in my left eye; I was hoping to make an appointment with Dr O'Malley who has been treating my diabetic retinopathy condition for many years. When I called to make the appointment, the woman at the front desk said I would first need to speak with a "triage" before she could make an appointment. She said the traige would call me back soon to further discuss my bleed & possibly make an appointment? Well, this day has passed, and I've heard nothing from the triage? Unfortunately, I've had a few quite negative exchanges in the past with the triages, when calling to schedule an appointment if I've had an eye bleed. On one occasion, the triage curtly stated, "didn't I know the bleed will clear in a few weeks"! Which is often incorrect because I've had bleeds that have not cleared for 21/2 months! What's more, you just don't speak to a long time patient like that, particularly given the recurrence of my retinal bleeds. The triages need proper training in dealing with patients thoughtfully & empathetically. I certainly hope this issue will be addressed for the benefit of all patients current & future at the Retina Center Northwest in Silverdale?

Dr O'Malley brought my eyesight back - floaters and retina problems both eyes. years later and…read morestill no floaters and reading books, music with ease!

Photos
Retina Center Northwest
Retina Center Northwest

See all

Timothy P Carey, MD

Timothy P Carey, MD

4.7(32 reviews)
4.1 mi•Ravenna

I was referred to Dr. Carey by my dermatologist to remove a small new mole I had noticed on my…read moreupper eyelid during my skin check. I'm a completely self admitted anxious medical person, especially given that I have a family history of melanoma and have been monitored closely over the years by my dermatologist. Plus, add in it's your eyelid which made me even more nervous. Thankfully I was in the best hands possible. Dr. Carey was so kind, calming, and wonderful throughout this whole process of getting this removed. His staff made everything seamless with scheduling, and answered any questions I had and were so kind when they could probably sense my panic at times about things. I'm almost 2 weeks out from him removing the mole and you can barely tell I had it taken off. I am eternally grateful for his care he has given me and feel so fortunate to have found him. Thank you Dr. Carey!

Dr. Tim Carey is, without a doubt, the best of the best. His expertise as an ophthalmologist is…read moreunquestionable--he's incredibly knowledgeable, precise, and thorough in every aspect of his care. But what truly sets Dr. Carey apart is his heart. He doesn't just treat patients--he genuinely cares for them. Every appointment feels like a conversation, not a transaction. He takes the time to explain things clearly, answer questions with patience, and make sure you feel seen, heard, and supported. You never feel rushed. You always feel valued. Dr. Carey is a rare and special kind of doctor, and I feel incredibly lucky to be in his care. If you're looking for someone you can trust completely with your vision and your well-being--look no further.

Photos
Timothy P Carey, MD

See all

Pacific Northwest Retina - retinaspecialists - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...