Dr. Kaitlyn Nolan was in medical school at the University of Chicago when she realized she wanted to be an ophthalmologist.

She enjoyed the elegance and precision of ocular surgery and was impressed with the power it had to improve lives.

“It was just amazing how one small procedure could bring somebody from the point of blindness to being able to see the next day,” she said.

Dr. Nolan and Lincoln Medical Partners Ophthalmology are pleased to be the successor to Dr. Roy Seibel’s practice at 71 Main Street in Newcastle. Dr. Seibel, who originally started his practice when he moved to the area 35 years ago, remains active in a consulting role during this transition.

Dr. Nolan said she will offer general eye exams, manage glaucoma and perform cataract surgery in addition to other services. She is also looking forward to bringing new technologies to the area.

“The technology in ophthalmology is very exciting. There are all kinds of new things on the horizon,” she said.

Dr. Nolan hopes to make injection treatments for macular degeneration available locally.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in the United States, affecting more than 10 million people. Caused by the deterioration of part of the retina, macular degeneration primarily affects people over the age of 55 and is incurable. Injections every four to six weeks, however, can slow the progression of the disease and even improve vision for people with some forms of the disease.

Offering the injections locally is important, she said, because often people with the condition are unable to drive.

Dr. Nolan also plans to offer botulinum toxin, or Botox injections, for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasms, two conditions in which spasms of facial or eye muscles can affect sight or even render people functionally blind.

Whatever her patients’ needs, Dr. Nolan said she hopes to foster a long-term relationship with them in which she has a chance to listen to their concerns and get to know them.

“I believe in making decisions with patients,” said Dr. Nolan. “I like to involve the family in their care.”

Originally from western Massachusetts, Dr. Nolan said she and her husband Michael, an adult and pediatric ophthalmologist whose practice is in Waterville, are thrilled to be in Maine.

Both Dr. Nolan and her husband got to know Maine while visiting her sister, who lives in Cumberland. After visiting Dr. Seibel, they fell in love with the beauty of Lincoln County and the friendliness of the people, she said.

“I am really excited to move to this region. I have already found that patients are very nice and friendly,” said Dr. Nolan. She said they also enjoy the access to recreational opportunities like skiing and hiking.

One of the things that drew them to the area was that it was a great place to raise a family, said Dr. Nolan. It is particularly important because she and her husband are expected their first child later this year.

Dr. Nolan will take a short maternity leave beginning Oct. 17 before returning to work full time. During her absence, Dr. Allan Bogdan, a general ophthalmologist from New Jersey, will fill in temporarily.

For more information about Dr. Nolan or Lincoln Medical Partners Ophthalmology, please call 563-3782.