FORT MYERS, Fla.—Quigley Eye Specialists, a Florida-based medical and surgical practice, said this week that it has partnered with Community Eye Center and St. Lucy’s Eye Surgery Center (collectively Community Eye) as it expands its presence in the Florida eyecare sector. The announcement was made by New Harbor Capital, which made its initial investment in Quigley Eye in early 2020. No details on the partnership transaction were disclosed. Prior to this new partnership, the Quigley Eye Specialists’ organization had ownership arrangements of 16 eyecare locations in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties.

Together, Quigley Eye Specialists and Community Eye Center have 29 optometric physicians and ophthalmic surgeons with two surgery centers in Southwest Florida, according to the announcement.

Community Eye, with multiple locations, is led by Dr. Joseph Spadafora and Dr. Eric Schaible and the practice has been providing care to Sarasota and Charlotte counties over the last 40 years. It has grown to include nine physicians, an eye-only surgery center and optical services. A part of CEC, St Lucy’s Eye Surgery Center is the only facility in Charlotte County dedicated exclusively to eye surgery, according to the practice's website.

“As demand for excellent eyecare continues to increase, partnering with Community Eye will help us ensure patients have convenient access to the care they need,” Quigley Eye Specialists founder Dr. Thomas Quigley said in the announcement.

“The Community Eye team is led by respected doctors with stellar reputations. Community Eye’s locations in Sarasota and Charlotte counties will help us expand care to even more people, including serving more same-day and walk-in patients. We look forward to our partnership and are excited about the path ahead,” Quigley said.

Community Eye offers a full range of eyecare services. The partnership will ensure Community Eye patients have continued access to industry-leading specialists, innovative treatments, and state-of-the-art equipment.

Community Eye represents the fifth follow-on investment for Quigley Eye Specialists since New Harbor completed an equity investment in January 2020, further extending Quigley Eye Specialists’ tenured market leadership position in the southwest Florida market, the announcement noted.

Quigley Eye Specialists is a leading multispecialty ophthalmology practice specializing in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, LASIK, dry eye, eyelid surgery, retinal issues, corneal conditions and routine eyecare.