FORT MYERS, Fla.—Florida’s Quigley Eye Specialists, a private equity-backed multispecialty ophthalmology group, said it has expanded into Palm Beach County with its acquisition of Visual Health. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Chicago-based New Harbor Capital is the firm providing the guidance and capital necessary to support Quigley Eye Specialists’ moves in Florida, the practice has previously acknowledged. Quigley Eye said it is one of Florida’s fastest-growing networks of ophthalmology practices. Visual Health was founded in 1963, making it the longest established ophthalmology practice in Palm Beach County, according to Quigley Eye’s recent announcement.

Specializing in cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, corneal transplants and external eye diseases, as well as all areas of eyecare, Visual Health provides services at locations in Palm Springs and Jupiter, Fla., with each location having an adjoining surgery center.

This new partnership with Visual Health will build upon “one of the largest patient-centric ophthalmic–optometric private practice provider groups in the state, bringing the group to 42 eyecare specialists, 24 clinics and five surgery centers under the umbrella of Quigley Health Services,” Quigley Eye noted.

Quigley Eye Specialists, which was founded more than 30 years ago by Dr. Thomas Quigley, is a physician-led organization that specializes in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, LASIK, dry eye, eyelid surgery, retina, cornea conditions, routine eyecare and facial plastic surgery.

“We are excited about the potential this combination unlocks,” Dr. Quigley said. “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. … We have no doubt Visual Health is the right partner and now is the right time.”

Visual Health founder Dr. Tom Coffman added, “The goal of this partnership is to create a win-win for everyone—and in our case, the patient is at the center of that circle.”

Quigley Eye serves patients in Florida’s Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties.