St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute

James Gills, MD Founder & Director

In 1974, Dr. James Gills became the first physician in the United States to dedicate himself to the treatment of cataracts using intraocular lens implants. Now recognized as the world’s most experienced cataract and lens implant surgeon, he has the distinction of having performed more cataract and lens implant surgeries than anyone else in the world. Dr. Gills’ innovative techniques have helped to reduce complications of cataract surgery and to define the standard of care. As a sought after lecturer, Dr. Gills shares his wealth of knowledge and surgical techniques with thousands of surgeons in symposiums around the world. Dr. Gills is a graduate of Duke University Medical School where he also performed his surgical internship. He served his residency in ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University’s Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute. Since entering private practice in 1968, his more than 40 years of service to ophthalmology has earned him countless awards, including the 2007 Johns Hopkins School of Medicine’s Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award.

Pit Gills, MD, President

As a specialist in cataract and refractive surgery, Dr. Pit Gills brings his personal commitment to excellence to patients at St. Luke’s. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, Dr. Gills earned his medical degree from Duke University Medical Center. He served his internship and ophthalmology residency at the University of South Florida. Dr. Gills continued post-doctoral training with a corneal fellowship at St. Luke’s. Dr. Gills has had the honor of authoring and coauthoring numerous published medical articles. He also shares his surgical experience with others at world-renowned symposiums nationwide.

Trust the experts at St. Luke's

SETTING A NEW STANDARD

At St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute, “Excellence…with love” has always meant dedication to caregiving, where our staff embrace the needs and concerns of our patients. Each patient is a member of our family. Love, understanding and comfort are our priorities. St. Luke’s is synonymous with striving for the highest possible levels of precision in cataract surgery. We believe that a better quality of vision means a better quality of life. By setting a new standard of care, we provide the best opportunity to achieve this standard for each and every patient. At St. Luke’s, it’s all a part of our continuing tradition of “Excellence…with love.”

CARING FOR OUR PATIENTS

In 1974, St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute became the first practice in the United States dedicated solely to cataract treatment through the use of intraocular lenses. St. Luke’s founder and director, James Gills, MD, has since expanded the practice so that it now provides treatment options for many different eye conditions and even offers a range of cosmetic procedures. However, St. Luke’s is still firmly rooted in cataract surgery. Our cataract surgeons utilize the most advanced technology and latest techniques to provide the highest level of care possible. They work alongside a knowledgeable medical team that strives to offer patients a pleasant, comfortable experience from general well-care exams to specialized consultations and surgical care.

St. Luke's Services

OUR SERVICES

In addition to cataract surgery including LenSx Blade-Free Laser Cataract Surgery, our board-certified physicians offer a complete menu of clinical care and surgical procedures, including retinal surgery, glaucoma surgery, corneal surgery, LASIK refractive surgery and cosmetic surgery, including a wide range of cosmetic and aesthetic procedures. “Excellence...with love” means we are committed to exceeding expectations and making patient experiences as pleasant as possible.

Watch the video below as a patient undergoes FDA approved, Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery with Surgeon Dr. Pit Gills, MD at St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute.

REFRACTIVE AND LASIK SURGERY

At St. Luke’s, refractive surgery procedures are not one-size-fits-all. We offer a wide variety of alternatives, but for some patients, it can be difficult to know which alternative will best meet their needs. Using the latest, state-of-the-art technology, our surgeons determine if each patient qualifies for refractive surgery, and if so, which procedure is best suited for them. This recommendation is based on factors such as lifestyle, activities and the severity of “refractive error.”

RETINA TREATMENT AND SURGERY

At St. Luke’s, we also specialize in retinal treatment and surgery. We have experience helping patients with a full range of vitreous and retinal problems, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment, macular hole and other vitreoretinal disorders.

GLAUCOMA TREATMENT

At St. Luke’s, we offer treatments for glaucoma, a disease frequently referred to as the sneak thief of sight because of its stealthy, painless character. Using our ultra-modern technology, this common affliction can be detected earlier and treated aggressively.

COMPREHENSIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY

In addition to our world-renowned surgical procedures, St. Luke’s also offers routine and comprehensive, state-of-the-art ophthalmological well care examinations, as well as procedures focusing on uveitis and corneal speciality care.

COSMETIC PROCEDURES AND SKIN REJUVENATION

We offer a sophisticated range of facial cosmetic laser procedures, injection therapies, specialty skin rejuvenation treatments and oculoplastic surgeries. Our highly skilled practitioners go out of their way to ensure that our patients leave St. Luke’s Cosmetic completely satisfied with their cosmetic experience.

HEARING SERVICES

At St. Luke’s, we have helped hundreds of thousands of individuals see more clearly. We also help our patients hear more clearly, too! We offer testing and treatments, including state-of-the-art hearing aids, for those experiencing hearing loss.

See it All

At St. Luke’s, our cataract surgeons use the most advanced lens technology available. Whether your premium or deluxe lens choice is multifocal, monofocal or astigmatism correcting, St. Luke’s provides the highest quality lenses available. Premium Multifocal or Accommodating Lenses provide clear vision at all ranges and minimize the need for glasses. Amongst others, our surgeons recommend the ReSTOR® Premium Multifocal Replacement Lens. Please click on the graphic for more information. (Premium lenses have an additional out of pocket expense.)

The Latest Technology

The Lenstec Softec Biaspheric Lens promises to be a revolutionary innovation in lens technology. Patients report less need for glasses and superior visual acuity.

These images show the difference in visual clarity and crispness with the new Softec lens. Click the pictures to discover more about this exciting new technology.

Voluntary Recall Of All Medications From NECC

On October 8, 2012 St. Luke's became aware of a voluntary recall of all medications from NECC. St. Luke's immediately reviewed its inventory and removed NECC product. We compiled a list of all patients who may have received medication from NECC and have contacted all but a few patients by phone. A letter has been sent to the remaining patients that we were unable to contact by phone.

The medication that St. Luke's received from NECC was a steroid medication used primarily to treat retinal problems. It is not the same steroid medication that has been linked to the recent Meningitis infections, nor is it the steroid used during routine cataract surgery. Because the injections are administered in the eye, any symptoms that would develop would appear in the eye. St. Luke's has had no reported cases of patient infections following these injections but in an abundance of caution we wanted to notify our patients and ask that you report any of the following to us immediately:

• Increased redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Pain
• Discharge from the eye
• Significant visual changes

The safety of our patients is always our first priority.