EyeCare Partners' CEO David A. Clark Leaves the Company, Benjamin Breier Named Interim CEO

By Staff
Friday, September 8, 2023 12:27 AM ST. LOUIS—EyeCare Partners, LLC, the leading network of clinically integrated eyecare, and one of the largest provider groups in the U.S., announced yesterday that David A. Clark, who has served as chief executive officer since 2021, has left the organization. Benjamin Breier will serve as interim CEO and the search for a new CEO is in process. Breier is head of U.S. Private Equity Health and Life at Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm.

Ascend Vision Partners Joins Forces With Thurmond Eye Associates in the Rio Grande Valley and Makes Entry into Texas Market

By Staff
Friday, August 18, 2023 12:18 AM ORLANDO, Fla.—Ascend Vision Partners, a leading provider of business services for eyecare practices across the Southeastern U.S., formed a strategic partnership with Thurmond Eye Associates, a renowned ophthalmology group serving the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.

Jobson Research and The Eyeconomist Launch Private Equity Directory for Eyecare

By Staff
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 12:15 AM NEW YORK—The U.S. eyecare industry is consolidating. Jobson Research and The Eyeconomist have compiled a new directory tracking close to 50 private equity-backed platforms designed to provide valuable information for anyone involved in the eyecare industry, from suppliers to investors to doctors. The 2022 Private Equity Directory includes the names of each corporate entity, investors, the year formed, U.S. region, number of locations, number of optometrists, number of ophthalmologists, number of ambulatory surgery centers and more.

Private Equity and Practice Transitions in 2023

By Marge Axelrad and Daniel Breeman
Thursday, April 27, 2023 1:00 AM NEW YORK—2023’s vision care space will see a more measured pace of new deals and practice acquisitions. At the same time, in many cases, internal investments in infrastructure, systems and support will accelerate for both private equity-based groups and practice transition facilitators in the U.S. optical market this year.

Blue Point Capital Partners Acquires eyebobs, Expanding Its Eyewear Platform

By Staff
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 7:00 AM CLEVELAND—Blue Point Capital Partners has announced the acquisition of eyebobs, a market leader in premium reading glasses. The investment is part of the firm’s broader plan to build a unique eyewear platform designed for B2B and B2C growth. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. Eyebobs joins Blue Point’s newly formed eyewear holding company following the firm’s April 2023 platform investment in Europa Eyewear, as VMAIL previously reported. Founded in 1977 and still family-run today, Europa is one of the largest independent eyewear companies in the U.S., designed around a unique model of proprietary eyewear brands and a fully employed sales force.

Blue Point Announces Investment in Europa Eyewear to Support the Growth and Development of a New Platform

By Staff
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 6:45 AM CHICAGO—Europa Eyewear, a family-owned designer and manufacturer of proprietary eyewear frames, is announcing its partnership with Blue Point Capital Partners, a Midwest investment firm. According to that announcement, "Blue Point Capital has made a meaningful investment in Europa to fuel its growth and expansion." Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded by Alan and Cynthia Shapiro in 1977 and led today by the founders’ son Scott Shapiro, Europa is one of the largest independent eyewear companies in the U.S.

Keplr Vision Announces $80 Million in Additional Funding, Reorganizes Field Team, Adds Board Members

By Staff
Wednesday, March 15, 2023 12:27 AM BLOOMINGTON, Ill.—Keplr Vision announced earlier this week that it has successfully closed $80 million in additional funding from existing investors including Imperial Capital and Golub. Details of the transaction were not disclosed. “We are extremely excited to announce this increased level of confidence and commitment from our investors,” said Tim Mayhew, CEO. “Despite an extremely challenging time for capital markets, they recognized Keplr Vision’s amazing potential as a partner with many of the largest, most prestigious practices in the United States.

Cohn Eye Center, R&E Optical Join Ascend Vision Partners

By Staff
Friday, February 10, 2023 12:24 AM ORLANDO—Ascend Vision Partners (AVP) has announced the acquisition of Cohn Eye Center and R&E Optical, adding two more premier vision groups to its partnership portfolio. “We are privileged to have partnered with such an outstanding group,” said Chad Tomlinson, chief development officer at Ascend Vision Partners. “Founded by Dr. Richard Cohn, Cohn Eye Center and R&E Optical set the standard for eyecare in Central Florida. I know that together we will continue to build a best-in-class vision platform.” Ascend Vision Partners currently has 11 practices with 19 total locations across the Southeast.

Retina Group of New England Joins Retina Consultants of America

By Staff
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 12:24 AM WATERFORD, Conn.—Retina Consultants of America (RCA), a physician management services organization, announces the addition of Retina Group of New England (RGNE) to its nationwide network of physicians. This addition is RCA’s 30th partnership and first in Connecticut, to now operate in 20 states across the U.S. “The doctors of Retina Group of New England are excited to join the ranks of highly accomplished and nationally recognized physicians and business team of RCA,” said Dr. Nauman Chaudhry, Retina Group of New England.

Prism Vision Group Expands Further Into the DMV Market, Partnering With its 6th Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC)

By Staff
Monday, December 19, 2022 12:18 AM NEW PROVIDENCE, N.J.—Prism Vision Group (PVG), the large vertically integrated eye care services organization operating exclusively on the East Coast, has welcomed Lakeview Surgery Center, Bowie, Md., to its growing platform of both ophthalmology practices and surgery centers. Lakeview Surgery Center, a 9,900-square-foot facility that showcases two operating suites, exclusively provides ophthalmic surgery five days per week. Its clinical leadership includes Medical Director, Dr. Alyson Hall, and Drs. Jonathan Solomon, John Choi, and Omar Ahmad.

EyeSouth Partners Affiliates With University Retina and Macula Associates, Representing the Network’s 34th Affiliation and Third in Illinois

By Staff
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 12:27 AM ATLANTA—EyeSouth Partners announced it has completed an affiliation with University Retina and Macula Associates. The affiliation represents EyeSouth’s third in the state of Illinois and 34th affiliation overall.

Advancing Eyecare Announces Acquisition of Veatch Ophthalmic Instruments

By Staff
Friday, November 11, 2022 12:40 PM JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Advancing Eyecare (AEC), a leading North America provider of ophthalmic instruments, has announced the acquisition of Veatch Ophthalmic Instruments, a leading U.S. distributor of ophthalmic equipment. The move is described by Advancing Eyecare as a way to expand its national footprint in ophthalmic instruments and further strengthen its offerings to eyecare providers. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, Veatch has a more than 30-year history of distributing ophthalmic technology to vision care providers throughout the U.S.

Vision Integrated Partners Expands in Greater Kansas City Market

By Staff
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 12:24 AM NEW YORK—Vision Integrated Partners, a managed services organization backed by Firmament that provides non-medical services to its network of eyecare professionals, announced 2 new partnerships.

Unifeye Vision Partners Completes Newest Partnership With Eye Care of San Diego

By Staff
Monday, November 7, 2022 12:27 AM DALLAS—Unifeye Vision Partners, a leading network of comprehensive eyecare providers, announced the completion of a strategic partnership with Eye Care of San Diego, based in Mission Hills, Calif.

Prism Vision Group Expands Further Into Metro D.C. Market With Its 25th Affiliation

By Staff
Thursday, November 3, 2022 12:30 AM NEW PROVIDENCE N.J.—Prism Vision Group (PVG), a growing, vertically integrated eyecare services organization operating exclusively on the East Coast, has welcomed Silver Spring Eye (SSE) to its platform.