GREENVILLE, S.C.—Eye Health America (EHA) and its Clemson Eye practice group said this week that Piedmont Retina Associates, led by Dr. Nick McLane, MD, has joined its management services group, as of April 30. Dr. McLane has been a leader in vitreo-retinal eyecare in the upstate regional of South Carolina for more than 35 years, the announcement noted. The terms of the new affiliation with Eye Health America were not disclosed. Partnering with Dr. McLane and his team supports Eye Health America’s goal to build an integrated network of top eyecare professional across the Southeast, the announcement noted. Eye Health America is a portfolio company of LLR Partners, a lower mid-market private equity firm.

Dr. McLane and his team will merge into the existing Clemson Eye Greenville Pelham Road clinic where he will be able to expand retina/posterior eyecare services to complement its full-service sub-specialty offering to the Upstate region. Clemson Eye is a well-established group of eye physicians and surgeons who pride themselves in offering patients the most innovative diagnostic services and treatments available, according to the announcement.

“As a solo practitioner for over 35 years, I am pleased to join the outstanding team of eyecare professionals at Clemson Eye to continue providing vitreo-retinal care to patients throughout the Upstate,” Dr. McLane said. “We are pleased to transition both our patients and our outstanding staff to the Clemson Eye Pelham Road clinic after July 1, 2021.”

Dr. McLane graduated from the University of South Florida College of Medicine and completed the first combined retina fellowship program at Louisiana State University Medical School Department of Ophthalmology and Oschner Clinic in New Orleans, La. He has a particular interest in the diagnosis and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity and has been treating infants born prematurely at Prisma HealthCare’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for several decades.

“This kind and wonderful surgeon and his team will strengthen our ability to deliver excellence in all-things-eyes, with retina, and meet patient demand specifically in the Upstate counties,” Mary Lou Parisi, a co-chief executive officer of Eye Health America, said. “He has a great legacy and we look forward to supporting Dr. McLane as he both mentors our new doctors and expands our patient care.”

EHA, which was formed in 2018 by LLR Partners, has seen substantial growth in the past three years, and now includes 29 locations, ambulatory surgical centers and more than 800 employees. Since its formation in March 2018, it has increased its network to include more than 60 eye doctors. The organization plans to continue investing in technology and services that create value, including patient engagement technology and revenue cycle management, the announcement noted.

In addition to co-CEO Parisi, the executive team includes co-CEO John Swencki, chief medical officer Cathleen McCabe, MD, and chief development officer Philip Isham, among others.