Surgical eye center in Bangor declares bankruptcy for 2nd time

A surgical eye center in Bangor declared bankruptcy for the second time.

Vision Care of Maine filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in August in federal court. The medical and surgical eye care centers in Bangor and Lincoln are requesting a “reorganization” bankruptcy, where the company typically remains in power and continues to operate the business while a plan to reorganize is created, according to the U.S. Courts.

The company operates the only surgical eye centers north of Augusta and south of Presque Isle. The bankruptcy does not include Vision Care of Maine’s three locations in Aroostook County because it’s a separate LLC.

Vision Care of Maine has roughly $2.7 million in unsecured claims for things like credit card purchases, fixed assets through Camden National Bank and the U.S. Small Business Administration, according to court filings.

Pharmaceutical wholesaler Besse Medical sued Vision Care and its owner Dr. Curt Young in May 2023 in U.S. District Court of Maine in Bangor, alleging Vision Care and Young breached their contract with Besse Medical and were unjustly enriched. Vision Care owes just under $4.4 million to Besse Medical as of April in unpaid invoices.

The bankruptcy filing asked the judge to pause the lawsuit so the company can be reorganized while Vision Care continues to provide surgical services.

Vision Care did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Vision Care of Maine also filed for bankruptcy in 2000 during the design and construction of its surgical center on Ridgewood Drive. The case was closed in 2002 when the bankruptcy trustee was dismissed.

A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18 in Portland.