Several ophthalmology groups added practices and providers to their networks in 2021, reaching new milestones and expanding their footprint in the U.S.

Vision Innovation Partners, a provider of ophthalmology, optometry and optician services in the Mid-Atlantic region, has acquired Bel-Air, Md.-based Advanced Eye Care, Vision Innovation Partners said Jan. 2. 

Stan Truhlsen, MD, an ophthalmology leader and former professor at the Omaha-based University of Nebraska Medical Center, died Dec. 23 at the age of 101.

Fort Collins, Colo.-based management services organization Panorama Eyecare folded eight practices into its network, according to a Dec. 22 Denver Gazette report.

Alan Brown Scott, MD, an ophthalmologist who developed Botox for medical use, died Dec. 16 at the age of 89.

The U.S. Justice Department is suing a 24-facility Arizona eye care center for alleged discrimination against patients with disabilities who need assistance in transferring from their wheelchairs to the surgical table for eye surgery, the department said Dec. 20.

Panorama Eyecare, a group of eight ophthalmology practices, has received a $150 million capital investment to fuel its growth in Colorado and Wyoming, the Daily Camera reported Dec. 16.

Steven DeVries, MD, PhD, has been awarded a $75,000 grant from Research to Prevent Blindness to support international study of treatments for blinding disorders, news-medical.net reported Dec. 14.

Mildred Olivier, MD, has been appointed associate dean of the Ponce Health Sciences University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the school said Dec. 14.

Southpoint Surgery Center in Jacksonville, Fla., gifted 30 patients free LASIK cataract surgery Dec. 11, News4Jax reported.

Largo-based Eye Institute of West Florida has joined St. Louis-based ophthalmology group EyeCare Partners.

John Kitchens, MD, performed the world's first implant of a sustained-release treatment for age-related macular degeneration, ABC affiliate WTVQ reported Dec. 9.

Stamford, Conn.-based ReFocus Eye Health is bolstering its cornea services in Waterbury, Conn.

Midwest Vision partners has acquired Kansas City, Mo.-based Discover Vision Centers and its three ASCs and nine ophthalmology practices, Midwest Vision said Dec. 8. 

Sarasota, Fla.-based multispecialty practice US Eye has expanded into North Carolina with the closing of its acquisition of Elizabeth City, N.C.-based Albemarle Eye Center and Precision Eye Care, according to a Dec. 9 Chowan Herald report.

Fort Myers-based Southwest Florida Eye Care is joining US Eye, the Sarasota, Fla.-based company announced Dec. 8.

The past six weeks have been busy for ophthalmology acquisitions, with an average of one per week covered by Becker's ASC Review.

Spect recently completed a $3.5 million seed funding round to support its AI-powered telemedicine platform used to diagnose eye diseases, the data science company said Nov. 30.

Quigley Eye Specialists has reached 42 partner specialists and expanded into Palm Beach County with its acquisition of Visual Health, the Fort Myers, Fla.-based practice said Nov. 19.

Two Texas ophthalmologists must pay $170,553,350 in penalties for fraudulently billing Medicare, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas said Nov. 18.