The eyes are the windows to the soul, and yours can look younger
By Patricia Nugent
The Kellis Eye & Laser Center in Chardon offers a comprehensive spectrum of services to maximize your vision performance. This one-stop hybrid of care covers everything from routine eye exams, glasses and contact lens fittings to oculoplastic surgery, cataracts implant surgery, glaucoma management, dry eye treatment, retinal disease management and esthetic laser surgeries.
Founded by Dr. Augustine J. Kellis, who is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained oculoplastic surgeon, the practice also includes Dr. Julieta Ryder, Dr. Gene Johnson, Dr. Llewelyn Rao and Dr. Dawn Barkan.
“Oculoplastic surgeons aren’t that common to begin with, so it’s unusual to have so many of us under one roof, as well as retinal specialists and an optometrist,” says Dr. Kellis. “Our field of medicine aims to restore or enhance the complex structures within and around the eye, such as lids, brows and orbit.”
More Precise Procedures
Dr. Kellis and his group were the first in Ohio to introduce his trademarked CO2 laser about 25 years ago. To this day, he is one of only a handful of surgeons in the country to work with it.
“There’s a night-and-day difference between what a scalpel can accomplish and what a laser can,” says Dr. Kellis, who, as a faculty member at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, also trained the other doctors in his own practice and many others, as fellows.
One of the most common surgeries they perform is the Kellis Laser Lift, which reduces excess skin and fat around the upper or lower lids.
“With the CO2 laser, there is much more precision and finesse involved, and our patients enjoy outcomes that are very natural-looking,” he adds. “Patients just look refreshed afterward, not changed. The laser greatly reduces recovery time, bruising and swelling, since it seals blood vessels as it moves across tissue. We hardly ever see even a drop of blood during the surgery, which only takes about six minutes. And if the excess skin on the upper lids is causing vision impairment, insurance usually covers it.”
The doctors also use the laser to perform surgeries to remove cancers on the eyelid, eyeball or socket, as well as repair fractures and perform reconstructions. Demand has been growing, and they are up to seven lasers between the main and satellite locations.
As a nice complement to the CO2 laser, the doctors also use a BBL laser for facial rejuvenation including anti-aging, contouring and acne care.
Five-Star Reviews and Recognition
Patients have given the Kellis Eye & Laser Center rave reviews over the years. It was voted Best of the Best for the eye care category in Geauga County by the News Herald 2018-2020. And Dr. Kellis was recognized as a top ophthalmologist by Cleveland Magazine for nine years in a row.
On a national level, Dr. Kellis was selected by US News and World Report as one of the top ophthalmologic and oculoplastic surgeons in the country.
His patients are equally impressed. Brenna L. needed fast care after she received a claw to the eye from a cat. “They were compassionate, fast-acting, professional and all-around wonderful people when I was in need,” she says.
The Center goes the extra mile when it comes to routine eye care, too. Karen H. says, “I can’t say enough about the service, all the way from the check-in until the very end, they were all so wonderful. They answered all my questions, and did the best eye exam I have ever had. I highly recommend this place to anyone who needs to have their eyes examined.”
Kellis Eye and Laser Center is headquartered at 150 7th Avenue, #100, in Chardon. Other satellite locations are in Sandusky, Lyndhurst, Parma Heights, Howland, Youngstown and North Canton. New patients are welcome. Call 440-285-2020 or visit KellisEyeAndLaserCenter.com for more information.