General Practitioners

• Pediatric Care
  Cascadia Eye is the only full-service vision center in the region, with locations in Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon, Whidbey Island, Stanwood, and Bellingham. Our team of award-winning ophthalmologist surgeons and optometrists are passionate about taking care of your whole family’s best vision, and our ophthalmic plastics, cornea, and ophthalmic pediatrics specialists allow us to cater to specific patient needs.
• Primary Care
  A final note, smoking is by far the worst preventable risk factor for the progression of ARMD. If you are having trouble stopping your smoking habit, please check out material on quitting and speak to your primary care provider about help with quitting.
• Emergency Care
  All our surgeons live and work in the community, and are an integral part of your neighborhood. And, since they live nearby, patients can be assured that they will be available quickly–urgent care will not need to wait until they can arrange for travel for a consultation. Although our knowledgeable optometrists perform much of our patients’ post-operative care, patients can be assured that a surgeon will be available in cases that require more complicated follow-up.
• Immunizations
  *Face coverings are recommended by the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health for patients in medical offices regardless of vaccination status.

Ophthalmologists

• Glaucoma
  We proudly provide the services of a fellowship-trained cornea specialist and a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist as well as a team of optometrists delivering primary eye care at your convenience!
• Ophthalmology
  Our ophthalmology group is dedicated to bringing excellent eye care to patients at our five locations: Stanwood, Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley, Bellingham and Coupeville. We highly value our staff and often offer advancement opportunities from within the company. We always have our eye open to hire great people and always accept resumes for the positions listed below...
• Macular Degeneration
  Age-related Macular Degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is a disease of the central retina, which is called the macula. ARMD is the most common cause for vision loss of those 65 and older. ARMD is more common in Caucasians, people with history of smoking and people with a family history of ARMD. This degenerative eye disease is typically caused by damage or deterioration of the central area of the retina.
• Laser Eye Surgery
  In our flagship Mount Vernon clinic, you’ll not only find state-of-the-art technology and award-winning ophthalmologists and optometrists who live in the communities they serve; but also a dedicated eye surgery center centrally located in Mount Vernon; and an optical department that bypasses the big corporations to locally design and independently source our own beautiful, affordable frames.
• Cataracts
  Cascadia Eye is dedicated to keeping our patients and staff safe, and your vision well cared for. We want you to feel comfortable to visit anytime to make an appointment for your regular eye care, cataract or refractive surgery, or eyewear selections and are following the best practices for CDC, state and federal COVID-19 recommendations. Please check back here for changes.
• Cataract Surgery
  Dependent on glasses? Don’t be. Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a form of refractive surgery that gives patients better vision and freedom from dependence on glasses or contact lenses. Your surgeon will replace your natural lens with an artificial lens implant to provide better focus for near, middle, and far distances. It is very similar to cataract surgery, but it is done specifically to correct refractive errors (where the eye itself is too long, too short, and/or presbyopic) rather than to remove a cataract.
• Eye Exam
  At Cascadia Eye, we perform a contact lens fitting before prescribing contacts to ensure you are in the best contact lens possible. Following your complete eye exam we will take measurements of your eye to determine which contact lenses will work best for you. You will be provided a “trial†pair of lenses to wear for a week or two. You will return to the clinic to meet with a medical professional who can determine if the fit is correct for you.

Internists

• Internal Medicine
  Dr. Golez lives in Mount Vernon with his wife, who is also a physician in internal medicine. Together they love to explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Dr. Golez also loves to cook. In addition, he is a music enthusiast and accomplished singer, performing as a tenor with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale for multiple seasons.

Endocrinologist

• Diabetes Care
• Diabetic Retinopathy
  For any type of diabetes, there are two main risk factors for retinopathy: duration of the diabetes disease and how well blood sugar is controlled. Smoking and high blood pressure can also increase your risk. People who have had Type I diabetes for at least ten years have a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Anyone who has Type II diabetes or borderline diabetes (“pre-diabetic†) should be seen for a baseline exam soon after the initial diagnosis, since signs and symptoms will not be noticeable until permanent damage has already occurred and retinopathy may be present at the first time of diagnosis. Eye exams should be performed on a yearly basis for any type of diabetes.

Surgeons

• Reconstructive Surgery
  Dr. Jean Kassem specializes in ophthalmic plastics — caring for the lids of the eye and the delicate surrounding facial skin. He also performs orbital surgery and reconstructive surgery, as well as specializing in neuro-ophthalmology. He is board-certified. Dr. Kassem received his medical degree at Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg in Heidelberg, Germany. He then completed his Ophthalmology residency at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, LA.

Plastic Surgeons

• Botox
  Dr. Jean Kassem at Cascadia Eye is an oculoplastics surgeon–a vision care specialist with additional training and expertise in the tissues surrounding the globe of the eye. This includes the orbits, lids, nasolacrimal ducts, and more. He treats benign and cancerous masses of the lid and orbit; blockage of the tear drainage pathway; eye socket fractures; blind, painful eyes requiring removal; Grave’s disease and other diseases; and the more common age-related lid conditions mentioned above. He also performs eyelid surgery as well as Botox treatment for those who desire a more youthful, rested appearance.
• Eyelid Surgery
  Following eyelid surgery, you can expect bruising and swelling for approximately two weeks. Discomfort is usually mild and relieved with ice, rest and Tylenol. Your vision may also be temporarily affected by blurring, double-vision, light sensitivity, and tearing during the early days of the recovery process. Most patients return to work or other normal activities within 4-5 days following surgery. Certain activities, such as swimming or strenuous workouts are prohibited until the surgeon decides it is safe for you to perform them again. In any case, your surgeon will give specific instructions prior to discharge and at your post-op visits.
• Blepharoplasty
  Functional eyelid surgery (also known as medically necessary) is for the sole purpose of restoring vision and function. There are a variety of conditions that require surgery to restore function or to relieve symptoms. Some cosmetic procedures such as blepharoplasty can become medically necessary when the excess tissues of the eyelid interfere with vision and disrupt the superior and peripheral visual field. The criteria for determining a procedure as functional versus cosmetic is published by the insurance companies and so may vary from one plan or carrier to another. Our surgeons and staff will document findings and perform tests to accurately determine the medical impact of your condition.

Dermatologists

• Ulcer
  A corneal ulcer is an inflammation, or possibly both an inflammation and infection of the cornea. A corneal edema is the swelling of the cornea caused by retention of tear fluid. Corneal ulcers or edemas can be caused by infections, contact lenses, chemical injury, trauma, and other eye conditions such as dry eye and severe blepharitis. Infectious corneal ulcers can arise from several types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, or even protozoa. These ulcers generally affect the most outer layers of the cornea, the epithelium and the anterior stroma, but severe corneal ulcers can penetrate all the way through to the most inner layers of the cornea and leave behind dense scarring.