Dr. Lee Birchansky, M.D., A.B.E.S.

Media Releases

Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Lee Birchansky, who serves patients in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Named Eastern Iowa’s most experienced no-stitch cataract surgeon, Dr. Birchansky practices at Fox Eye Laser & Cosmetic Institute in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Since his introduction of no-stitch cataract surgery in 1991, he has performed over 30,000 no-stitch surgeries. He is committed to providing high quality comprehensive surgical care in a non-hospital setting and is well known for “setting the standards for excellence”.

Born and raised in Miami, Dr. Birchansky attended the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, where he earned his medical degree in 1985. He then went on to complete his internship in internal medicine in Orlando, Florida. In 1986, he moved to Iowa, where he completed his residency at the world-renowned Department of Ophthalmology at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He enjoyed the quality of life and the genuine people of Iowa so much that he stayed there to practice.

A member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, he is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology, which is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists in the United States of America. He also holds board certification in LASIK and cataract and lens implant surgery from the American Board of Eye Surgery. 

Many of the cataract surgery techniques that Dr. Birchansky adopted early on have become the standard of care nationwide. This vast experience has led him to one of the lowest complication rates of any surgeon. As an innovator, he has brought numerous advances to Eastern Iowa.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are experts in the diseases, functions, and anatomy of the eye. They may provide routine care such as vision testing, as well as prescribe and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, ophthalmologists are also surgeons. They repair traumatic injuries to the eye and perform cataract, glaucoma, and corneal surgery. 

Recommended Articles

• How Long Will I Not Be Able to See After Undergoing Blepharoplasty?

  Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery as it's commonly known, is performed to correct droopy upper and/or lower eyelids and under-eye bags. The surgery may be performed for functional or medical reasons. Functional blepharoplasty corrects problems related to upper eyelids that sag or droop enough to...

• How Long Does It Take To Get A Cataract Removed?

  How Cataract Surgery is Performed Prior to a cataracts surgery, you will have to attend an eye assessment with an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist will first examine your health condition and any previous eye treatments. They will also check for any other eye problems currently affecting...

• What Specialists Perform Cataract Surgery?

  ...

• Everything You Need to Know About Glaucoma

  What is Glaucoma?Glaucoma is a medical condition that affects the eyes. It is characterized by high pressure in the eyes, leading to damages on the optic nerve, which can eventually impair your vision.Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. It can affect both men and women at...

• Can I Have Cataract Surgery on Both Eyes at the Same Time?

  When your doctor determines that both eyes have a cataract, the eye having a denser cataract will be operated on first. After a couple of days or weeks, the second eye can then be operated on.This approach gives the first eye time to recover and the vision to stabilize as you wait for another...

• What is Age-Related Cataracts?

  When the eye lens changes with age, cataracts develop and your vision becomes blurry. A clear structure, the lens is located at the back of the pupil. Light streams in via the cornea and the lens directs it to the retina when it enters the eye.When you start to age, cataracts can begin developing,...