Naples eye doctor retires, sells practice to fellow physician

Collins Vision, an eye specialist practice with two Southwest Florida locations that’s celebrating its 20-year anniversary in 2024, has acquired Fisher Eye & Laser Center in Naples.

Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. 

Collins will merge its Naples office with Fisher Eye’s office at 875 105th Ave. N., Naples. The practice’s other office is at 6900 International Center Blvd., Fort Myers. The merger also coincides with the retirement of Dr. G. Brit Fisher III, founder of Fisher Eye & Laser Center. 

“Dr. Fisher has been a great colleague and an invaluable resource to the Naples medical community for more than 20 years,” Dr. Michael Collins, medical director and founder of Collins Vision, says in a statement. “We are grateful Dr. Fisher entrusted us with the care of his patients upon his retirement. We share a passion for helping every patient live their best life. Like Dr. Fisher, we are an independently owned, doctor-led practice. Combining both Naples practices under one roof will enable us to provide the best possible care for patients.”

The new location will offer Collins Vision’s patients a more spacious and comfortable office setting along with an on-site optical shop with a large selection of prescription and non-prescription eyewear and more convenient parking, the release states. Dr. Jason Friedrichs, a board-certified ophthalmologist with more than 15 years of experience who moved to Naples in 2020 to join Collins Vision, will lead the expanded team in Naples. Friedrichs recently became a partner at Collins Vision, the release states. 

“Through this process, Dr. Fisher and I learned a lot about our shared values,” Friedrichs says in the release. “I will continue to deliver compassionate and customized eye care to every patient who trusted Dr. Fisher with their vision. It is an honor to carry on his legacy and further establish Collins Vision as the preferred partner in the community.”