The Macula Center in National News

Here is an excerpt from national news coverage on Dr. Deupree and The Macula Center's dedication to quality patient care.

Palm Harbor vitreo-retinal practice now features the Zeiss Cirrus™ HD-OCT scanner and PASCAL® laser for safer, more comfortable diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other disorders of the retina and macula.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – (Sept. 3, 2009) – The Macula Center, a state-of-the-art vitreo-retinal practice dedicated to delivering high-quality care to patients in the greater Tampa Bay region, has expanded its diagnostic and treatment arsenal to include two revolutionary technologies:  the Zeiss Cirrus™ High-Definition Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanner and the PASCAL® Photocoagulator.

“At The Macula Center, we strive on a daily basis to deliver the highest quality eye care with a true care-giving approach. This includes equipping our practice with leading-edge technologies like the PASCAL laser and Zeiss Cirrus scanner that allow us to quickly and accurately diagnose and treat our patients in the safest and most comfortable manner possible,” said Dana M. Deupree, M.D., F.A.C.S., a vitreo-retina surgeon and physician. 

The PASCAL (Pattern Scan Laser) is unique to any previous laser instrument in that it delivers a “single-shot,” predetermined pattern of multiple, precision laser applications to treat retina conditions. This allows for faster, safer treatment application and results in much less discomfort for the patient. First approved by the FDA in 2005 for use on vascular and structural conditions of the retina, the PASCAL is used to treat:

• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Macular Degeneration
• Retinal Tears and Detachments
• Lattice Degeneration
• Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion

“With the PASCAL, 30-minute laser treatments delivering hundreds of shots to the retina are a thing of the past for our patients,” said Dr. Deupree. “It allows us to complete large treatments of hundreds of precisely positioned laser applications in five minutes or less. As a result, our patients enjoy shorter waiting times and better treatment outcomes.”

The Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT is a non-invasive technology that revolutionizes imaging of the retina and diagnosis of macula conditions including:

• Macular Degeneration
• Macular Swelling
• Macular Pucker
• Macular Hole
• Glaucoma 

“OCT scanners were the first instruments that allowed physicians to see cross-sectional images of the retina and have been used in vitreo-retina care for years,” said Dr. Deupree. “However, with its advanced, next-generation, precise algorithms, the Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT scanner represents a quantum leap forward in diagnostic technologies.”

The Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT provides highly detailed high-definition maps and images of the macula and retinal structures. This valuable pre-operative information results in shorter, more efficient and precise surgery and improved outcomes. It also allows for improved monitoring and documentation of the progression of eye disease.

“In addition to equipping our practice with the best available technologies, our highly qualified, certified staff ensures that our patients have a clear understanding of their condition and available treatments so they can be engaged participants in their care,” said Dr. Deupree. “We also work closely with their physicians, ophthalmologists and optometrists to keep them informed of treatment plans and progress, and strive to return our patients to their care as quickly as possible and with the best possible outcomes.”

About The Macula Center

Featuring state-of-the-art equipment and a dedicated staff, The Macula Center is positioned to deliver the highest-quality retina care possible.  Opened in 2003 by Dana M. Deupree, M.D., F.A.C.S., a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in diseases of the vitreous and retina who has been in practice in Pinellas County for 18 years, The Macula Center is devoted exclusively to the treatment of diseases of the retina and macula. Dr. Deupree, whose sub-specialty includes medical and surgical management of macular disorders, diabetic retinopathy, complex retinal detachments and trauma, has spared no expense in equipping The Macula Center with the most modern ophthalmic equipment available. The Palm Harbor, Fla.-based practice’s knowledgeable, certified staff has a combined 60 years of ophthalmic experience. For more information, visit www.maculacenter.com.