Area eye care group buys Palm Beach County practice

FORT MYERS — Quigley Eye Specialists, one of the fastest-growing networks of ophthalmology practices in Florida, has expanded into Palm Beach County through the acquisition of Visual Health, which has two locations there.

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

Fort Myers-based Quigley Eye Specialists now has 42 eye care specialists, 24 clinics and five surgery centers in its network, making it one of the largest ophthalmic-optometric practices in Florida, according to a statement. It now serves patients in Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

“We are excited about the potential this combination unlocks. We considered various strategic partners for our initial entry into Palm Beach County and are very happy to have chosen Visual Health because of the caliber of their personnel and organization,” Quigley Eye Specialists Founder Dr. Thomas Quigley says in the release. “Every interaction has reinforced our common mission, caring culture and patient-centric philosophy. We have no doubt Visual Health is the right partner and now is the right time.”

Visual Health was founded in 1963, making it the longest established ophthalmology practice in Palm Beach County, the release states. Specializing in cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, corneal transplants and external eye diseases, as well as all areas of eye care, Visual Health provides services at Palm Springs and Jupiter. Each location has an adjoining surgery center.

Quigley Eye Specialists, founded more than 30 years ago, is a physician-led organization. It specializes in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, LASIK, dry eye, eyelid surgery, retina, cornea conditions, routine eye care and facial plastic surgery.