DALLAS—AEG Vision, an owner and operator of leading optometry practices across the U.S., has added 50 new practices in the first half of 2021, according to an announcement today. The AEG network now has nearly 250 partner practices across 12 states, including a significant presence in Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Colorado. This group also noted its recent moves include expansion into new regions such as Austin, Texas, and the greater Chicagoland area.

New partners that joined the AEG Vision network this year include: Primary Eyecare Group with three practices in the Nashville, Tenn., market; Your Family Eye Doctors with three practice locations in Cranberry, Murrysville and Irwin, Pa.; Family Eye Care Centers with three practice locations in Sandusky, Clyde and Huron, Ohio; and Family EyeCare Clinic with four practice locations across northeast Ohio.
 
The terms of the transactions with the various practices were not disclosed. AEG Vision, which ranked No. 12 in the Vision Monday Top 50 Optical Retailers Report for 2021, is a portfolio company of Riata Capital Group. The group added 50 locations in 2020.
 



Eric Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, AEG Vision
“Our approach to practices in our network creates high levels of doctor satisfaction and retention,” Eric Anderson, chief executive officer of AEG Vision, said in the announcement. “We have established AEG Vision as an ally, advocate and partner for medically-focused full scope optometry practices across the country. We maintain that special DNA that made each practice successful—while working together to make investments that enable each of our partners to elevate outcomes for doctors, associates and patients.” 
 
AEG Vision said the group makes significant investments in each of the practices in its network, and the investments include technology and back-office support, as well as “other key operational areas that give doctors the freedom to what they do best—care for patients.”
 
All practices at AEG Vision utilize a common technology platform that gives doctors and staff access to unparalleled business intelligence tools, the announcement noted. These provide visibility to practice analytics such as patient satisfaction and revenue mix. Although practices benefit from common technology, AEG Vision strives to maintain every doctor’s clinical autonomy, including investments in equipment and resources for many of its specialty practices.


Dr. Brian Kane, Family EyeCare Clinic

“I had the fortune to interview five companies to partner with,” Dr. Brian Kane of Ohio’s Family EyeCare Clinic, said in the announcement. “AEG was the only company who walked their talk through the end. The AEG Vision team continuously works to keep our practices moving forward. Finally, the stress level of being CEO, CFO, COO, CMO, HR is gone and I can enjoy my time with patients and family.”
 
As part of its first-half 2021 expansion, AEG Vision further built out its network across Texas with 14 additional practice locations, including Bella Optical in San Antonio.
 



 Dr. Farshid Amir, Bella Optical
“Every detail was accounted for during the acquisition process,” Bella Optical’s Dr. Farshid Amir said. “AEG Vision was very interested in analyzing what was working well within our practice and discussing technology enhancements they would bring to the business to make it even more successful.”
 
“AEG Vision has built a reputation second to none,” added AEG Vision’s Joe Terzo, chief development and strategy officer. “Each partner has become an advocate for AEG Vision in their respective communities. We are experiencing the highest levels of interest from potential partners that I have seen in our company’s history.” 
 

Joe Terzo, Chief Development and Strategy Officer, AEG Vision

He added, “Our partners understand and recognize the value of preserving culture, while benefiting from the significant level of support we provide at all levels of their respective practices.”
 
Due to high interest from potential partners, AEG Vision said that it expects to “accelerate growth through the remainder of 2021.” The group was founded in early 2017. More information on AEG Vision’s partnership model can be found here.