Drs. Cassel

We perform complete and thorough routine and medical eye examinations for people of all ages using a variety of advanced instruments and techniques which make it possible to diagnose conditions both inside and outside the eye.

Drs. Cassel and Ratner are board certified ophthalmologists and specialize in eye surgery including cataract, lens implant, and laser surgery, as well as the treatment of glaucoma, corneal, and retinal disorders and many other eye problems. These doctors are also available to give second opinions on cataract surgery, and the diagnosis and treatment of other medical and surgical eye problems. The excellent surgical and laser facilities and equipment at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and our affiliation with the Johns Hopkins Hospital further aid them in providing total and state of the art eye care to our patients.

Through the expertise of our board certified optometrists Drs. Lee and Flemke we can fit contacts for all ages, with all types of eyeglass prescriptions. These board certified doctors also specialize in fitting contact lenses for unusual prescriptions for astigmatism, bifocals, and custom-tinted contact lenses. Our doctors have the expertise to help correct vision when refractive surgery is not successful. Drs. Lee and Flemke also are experienced in helping those patients who have binocular vision problems that cause double vision.

Our opticians, Mr. Shawn Stebbing and Ms. Rachel Thomas, bring their years of experience to our optical area which offers our patients an opportunity to select quality eyewear while in our office. We display over 700 frames with a wide range of styles and prices. Our opticians have extensive experience in the art of dispensing eyeglasses. Besides being able to assist in choosing the right frame style for you, they are expert in fitting progressive bifocals and trifocals. We have the latest in high index materials to make your lenses thinner than any previous generation lenses. Ultraviolet and anti-reflective coating, transition and photo-gray lenses, non-prescription quality sunglasses, and a wide variety of lens tints are also available.

Drs. Cassel and Ratner

What is an Ophthalmologist?

Drs. Cassel and Ratner are ophthalmologists, or eye physicians and surgeons, who have graduated from accredited medical schools with M.D. degrees and have completed extensive training in eye care beyond medical school and internship. As ophthalmologists, they provide total eye care, including performing comprehensive medical eye examinations, and prescribing glasses, diagnosing diseases and disorders of the eye, and using the appropriate medical, surgical, and laser procedures necessary for treatment.

Dr. Gary H. Cassel M.D.

Dr. Gary H. Cassel M.D.

Dr. Gary Cassel attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania and earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He interned at New York University Medical Center, and spent two years conducting research on cataracts and diabetic eye disease at the National Eye Institute of N.I.H. He did his eye residency training at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Cassel later came to Baltimore and was a fellow at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins Hospital doing retinal research. He is currently an instructor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute. Dr. Cassel also has staff privileges at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and is a consultant to the State of Maryland Board of Physicians. And what does Dr. Cassel do in his spare time? Don't forget to ask him at your exam...

Dr. Lois J. Ratner M.D.

Dr. Lois J. Ratner M.D.

Dr. Lois Ratner did her undergraduate college study at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, She attended the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City where she was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. Her internship was completed at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City, after which she spent three years training in Ophthalmology, including eye surgery and lasers, at the Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Ratner was subsequently appointed as the Chief Resident of Ophthalmology at the Mount Sinai Hospital. Following her residency in ophthalmology she also trained as a glaucoma specialist with Dr. Steven Podos, a world renowned expert in glaucoma. And aside from eye care, Dr. Ratner happens to be a baseball fanatic. During the season, between patient examinations she can often be seen checking baseball game scores.


    Drs. Lee and Flemke

    What is an Optometrist?

    Drs. Lee and Flemke are doctors of optometry (O.D.). An optometrist is a professional licensed to practice optometry, specializing in eye and visual care. The optometric education consists of four years of undergraduate college followed by four years in an optometric college. Optometry College provides extensive training in eye care with a major emphasis on the diagnosis of eye diseases and the assessment of visual disturbances, including clinical patient care. The optometrist treats visual disturbances with glasses, contact lenses, and low vision aids (magnifiers), and may also prescribe exercises for muscle imbalances. Optometrists are also licensed to diagnose and treat certain medical eye conditions. If an optometrist diagnoses an eye disease that requires additional medical treatment, the patient is then referred to the ophthalmologist.


    Dr. Erin Lee O.D.

    Dr. Erin Lee O.D.

    Dr. Erin Lee, a native of Hunt Valley, Maryland, is also an outstanding optometrist who has practiced in Maryland for many years. Like Dr. Flemke, Dr. Lee trained at the prestigious Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia. Dr. Lee offers routine and medical eye examinations. She also fits all types of contact lens designs such as soft, rigid gas permeable and hard contact lenses. Although most contact lenses are clear, Dr. Lee can also enhance your eye color with specially tinted contact lenses. Dr. Lee gets tremendous reviews from her patients who find her compassionate and very caring.


    Dr. Stephen C. Flemke O.D.

    Dr. Stephen C. Flemke O.D.

    Dr. Stephan Flemke, a native of Phoenix, Maryland, is also an outstanding optometrist who has practiced with us for over 20 years. He trained at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia. Dr. Flemke's extensive training has touched on all aspects of eye care with a special emphasis on contact lenses and eyeglass problems. Drs. Flemke and Lee are part of a select group of optometrists in Maryland who are certified to treat medical eye conditions and dispense therapeutic medications. Dr. Flemke's excellent training is as important to us as his personal and sincere approach to patients, which fits in very nicely with our practice style.


    Mr. Stebbing and Ms. Thomas

    What is an Optician?

    Mr. Stebbing and Ms. Thomas are opticians. An optician is a licensed professional skilled in the crafting of lenses and the fitting of frames suitable to a person's prescription, facial features, needs, and even their personality. With years of experience, our opticians are very knowledgeable and are quaified to work alongside the optometrists and ophthalmologists in our practice to bring you the very best in eyewear and vision correction with eyeglasses. Rachel and Shawn believe that everyone can benefit from a little assistance when picking out the right style and color frame, as well as the correct lens design for their prescription and lens options such as progressives, thinner lenses, bifocals, trifocals, computer glasses, anti-reflective coatings,Transitions and tints.

    Mr. Shawn Stebbing

    Mr. Shawn Stebbing

    Mr. Stebbing has been an optician in Maryland for many years. Prior to joining our team at Ruxton Towers, Mr. Stebbing was with United Optical where he not only dispensed eyewear but managed an office that included several other opticians and staff. As a board certified and experienced optician, Mr. Stebbing takes measurements, reads prescriptions, dispenses eyeglasses and provides excellent customer service. He also has a lens tracing unit in our office that allows him to order your new lenses WITHOUT the need to leave your frames with us. This state-of-the-art lens tracing unit has reduced our turn-around time on new and replacement eyeglass lenses, making many of our patients very happy. Additionally, Mr.Stebbing is skilled in using intricate tools to adjust and repair eyeglass frames, and offers tips on how to care for eyeglasses, and keep them from breaking as a result of everyday wear and tear.


    Ms. Rachel Thomas

    Ms. Rachel Thomas

    Ms. Thomas is also an experienced optician in Maryland. She brings with her experience in all aspects of the optical profession. Besides being extremely knowledgeable in the latest lens materials, coatings, and finishing techniques for eyeglasses, she has a tremendous amount of expertise in choosing frames that are right for each different facial shape and coloring. Ms. Thomas, armed with the latest tools available in the optical industry, often can adjust or fix your eyeglasses while you wait.

    For years we have strived to provide our patients with quality eye care from experienced professionals. Mr. Stebbing and Ms. Thomas are patient-oriented with years of experience in the optical profession with our goals. We invite all of you to stop in and meet them.


    GO RAVENS!

    Our Staff

    Our Staff

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    THE EYE BOOK

    THE EYE BOOK

    Our doctors authored

    THE EYE BOOK- A Complete Guide to Eye Disorders and Health, published by The Johns Hopkins Press. The book is written for those people interested in learning more about their eyes and eye problems, ranging from glasses and contact lenses to cataracts and glaucoma. The Eye Book has been well received nationwide and went into a second printing shortly after its initial release. It is currently available at all of the major booksellers as well as on-line (Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com) at a very reasonable price.


    INSURANCE AND FEES

    Our practice makes every effort to keep down the cost of medical care. One way we do this is by asking that you pay for all office visits at the time of your service. If you have health insurance coverage then we ask that any co-pay or deductible be paid at time of your office visit or procedure. Please bring your insurance card to all your appointments along with any referrals or authorization forms so that we can promptly file for your service. If you are coming for a ROUTINE EYE EXAM check your health insurance plan carefully to see if you have vision coverage for this type of examination. Not all insurance plans pay for vision services or routine eye examinations. Please help us by understanding your coverage. Our office currently participates with Medicare, Blue Shield (Carefirst) and many other local and national health insurance plans. Call our office or that of your health insurance plan to verify our participation and your eye care benefits.

    If you are having financial difficulties, we do not let this stand in the way of your receiving proper medical attention and eye care. We will be glad to speak with you privately and make financial arrangements on an individual basis.