An Eye To The Future At University Hospitals Parma Medical Center

University Hospitals Parma Medical Center

Patients in Parma and the surrounding westside suburbs will no longer need a ride to main campus or the eastside for comprehensive eye care. The UH Eye Institute, which has historically had a wide range of offerings in UH’s East Market, is doubling its presence at UH Parma Medical Center to complement its already strong scope of care in Westlake.

Three new eye specialists are joining the retinal specialists and optometrists currently onsite in UH Parma, bringing expertise in glaucoma and cataract surgery, corneal transplantation and oculoplastics. Ophthalmologists Haitham Sahawneh, MD, a corneal specialist, and Ahmed Ahmed, MD, who provides comprehensive care including glaucoma, as well as optometrist Jesal Haribhakti, MD, join three others already serving patients at this location.

“At UH Parma Medical Center, we are committed to enhancing access to specialized care close to home," said James Hill, MD, Chief Operating Officer of UH Parma. "The expansion of the UH Eye Institute is a testament to our dedication to meeting the needs of our community by providing world-class eye care right here in Parma. This collaboration ensures patients can receive comprehensive care without the need to travel, improving convenience and outcomes for our westside neighbors."

Office expansion and the acquisition of new equipment has been made possible through the Parma Hospital Health Care Foundation and UH Eye Institute philanthropic support.

“Previously Parma area’s eye care was almost exclusively served by independent ophthalmologists,” said Douglas Rhee, MD, Director of the UH Eye Institute. “Patients had to go to UH Westlake Health Center or main campus for the majority of eye services. Now even surgery can be done at UH Parma.”

The UH Eye Institute is also expanding its footprint at the UH Westlake Health Center. This location, off Clague and Detroit roads near I-90 in Westlake, is adding a provider in an expanded office space for greater access to the full range of clinical and operative services.

Services are growing as well in the UH East and South Markets, expanding coverage in retinal care and adding corneal procedures and oculoplastics. The Eye Institute is aiming to grow its surgical offerings at UH Lake West and double its space, with more clinical services, in the Western Reserve building in Hudson.

“We’re the second smallest department in UH Medical Group, but we manage to provide a full range of eye care services throughout metropolitan Cleveland and beyond,” Dr. Rhee said.