Associated Eye Care

What Associated Eye Care does

Associated Eye Care is a physician-owned, multi-specialty ophthalmology and optometry practice founded in 1972 and headquartered in Hudson, Wisconsin, operating five clinical locations across the Twin Cities East Metro (Woodbury, Stillwater, Lino Lakes) and Western Wisconsin (Hudson, New Richmond), supplemented by an on-site Ambulatory Surgery Center in Stillwater. It employs 17 providers — including fellowship-trained specialists in cornea, glaucoma, retina, pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus, and refractive surgery — alongside optometrists, and runs an optometric residency program that functions as a structured talent pipeline. Service lines span routine well-vision exams, cataract surgery (with premium non-covered IOL options including PanOptix trifocal, Vivity, Symfony, Toric and Light Adjustable Lens), WaveLight Contoura Vision LASIK, glaucoma and retina care, cornea services, dry eye and IPL therapy, pediatric eye care, contact lens fittings, adult strabismus correction, and eyelid surgery, in addition to physical optical shops and a virtual-try-on e-commerce optical storefront at shop.associatedeyecare.com. Technology includes Alcon WaveLight EX500 Excimer Laser, Contoura Vision topography-guided LASIK, Optomap wide-angle retinal imaging, OCT imaging, VERION image-guided surgical system, YAG laser, IPL, and telehealth.

Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) insurance- and Medicare-reimbursed clinical eye care services, (2) professional services from surgical procedures with a cash-pay premium tier for elective advanced-technology intraocular lenses and self-pay LASIK (starting at $1,995 per eye, with current $500/eye promotional pricing), (3) optical hardware sales via on-site retail shops and the online storefront, and (4) ancillary services such as YAG laser capsulotomy and specialty contact lens fittings. Patient acquisition runs through physician referrals from optometrists and primary care providers supported by structured online and fax-based consultation request forms, direct consumer channels including phone, online scheduling, self-assessment tools, paid LASIK promotions, and an active social media presence. Customer segments are fragmented across pediatric, adult, and geriatric demographics with no enterprise concentration, and the practice has no disclosed external investment, acquisitions, or parent entity.

Name

Associated Eye Care

Legal name

Associated Eye Care

Website

https://associatedeyecare.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Associated Eye Care is a physician-owned, multi-specialty ophthalmology and optometry practice operating five clinics and an on-site Ambulatory Surgery Center across the Twin Cities and Western Wisconsin, serving pediatric through geriatric patients with cataract, LASIK, glaucoma, retina, cornea, pediatric and dry eye care, plus optical retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology and Optometry Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Offices of Physicians (62111), Optical Goods Retailers (45613)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN), Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology services
• Cataract surgery
• LASIK vision correction
• Glaucoma treatment
• Pediatric eye care

Headquarters

HQ city

Hudson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Clinical Eye Care Services: Comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry services including routine exams, diagnostic testing, and medical eye care across multiple specialties including cataract, glaucoma, cornea, retina, and pediatric care
2. Surgical Procedures: Surgical services including cataract surgery with various IOL options, LASIK laser vision correction, eyelid surgery, corneal procedures, and glaucoma surgery. Includes premium lens upgrade fees for advanced technology lenses not covered by insurance
3. Optical Products and Eyewear: Optical shop services providing prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses. Operates both physical optical shops at clinic locations and online e-commerce storefront
4. YAG Laser Capsulotomy: Secondary cataract treatment procedure using YAG laser for posterior capsule opacification

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Associated Eye Care is a multi-specialty ophthalmology and optometry medical practice delivering comprehensive eye care across five locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Core offerings include routine well vision exams, cataract surgery with advanced technology lens implants, LASIK laser vision correction, glaucoma management, cornea care, retina and macular degeneration treatment, dry eye therapy, pediatric eye care, eyelid surgery, and adult strabismus treatment, supported by an on-site ambulatory surgery center and physical optical shops.

Product overview

Associated Eye Care is a multi-specialty ophthalmology and optometry practice offering comprehensive eye care services across five locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The practice operates as a unified service portfolio centered on surgical and medical eye care, combining core clinical services (LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma care, retina care, pediatric eye care, cornea care, dry eye treatment, eyelid surgery, adult strabismus, contact lenses, and routine well vision exams) with an on-site ambulatory surgery center. Advanced technology lens implants for cataract surgery represent a key premium offering, including PanOptix Trifocal Lens, Vivity Extended Depth Lens, Light Adjustable Lens, and Toric Lens Implants. The practice also operates optical shops for eyewear retail and offers telehealth services. LASIK services utilize WaveLight Contoura Vision and WaveLight EX500 laser technology. All services are coordinated through a central scheduling system across clinic locations in Stillwater, Woodbury, Lino Lakes (MN) and Hudson, New Richmond (WI).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LASIK Laser Vision Correction Laser eye surgery using WaveLight Contoura Vision topography-guided and WaveLight EX500 excimer laser technology to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Includes lifetime coverage (Vision Advantage program) for eligible patients.
• Cataract Surgery Surgical removal of cataracts with placement of artificial intraocular lens implants, offered with multiple advanced technology lens options to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses after surgery.
• Ambulatory Surgery Center Outpatient eye surgery facility in Stillwater, MN offering cutting-edge technology in a relaxed, patient-focused environment for cataract surgery and other eye procedures.
• Glaucoma Care Comprehensive monitoring and treatment of elevated eye pressure and glaucoma using medical, laser, and surgical management options including iStent and XEN aqueous drainage devices.
• Cornea Care Medical and surgical treatment for corneal conditions including keratoconus, corneal dystrophies, pterygium, infections, and dry eye disease. Includes corneal cross-linking and specialty lens options.
• Retina and Macular Degeneration Care Ongoing care for retinal conditions including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, retinal tears, and retinal detachments using OCT imaging for diagnosis.
• Dry Eye Disease Treatment Management of dry eye disease and associated symptoms using intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, thermal punctal occlusion, and therapeutic contact lenses.
• Pediatric Eye Care Early detection and treatment of childhood vision and eye alignment issues including strabismus (crossing/drifting), amblyopia (lazy eye), and other pediatric eye conditions.
• Adult Strabismus Treatment Surgical and non-surgical treatment for adult strabismus (eye misalignment, crossed eyes) including prism glasses, eye exercises, and strabismus surgery.
• Eyelid Surgery Surgical options to treat drooping eyelids or abnormal eyelid positions (blepharoplasty) for both functional and cosmetic indications, including upper and lower eyelid procedures.
• Contact Lens Services Comprehensive contact lens fitting services including specialty designs for keratoconus, therapeutic lenses, and multifocal contact lenses, with prescribed lenses available for online ordering.
• Well Vision Exams Routine eye exams to monitor ocular health and manage glasses and contact lens prescriptions, including comprehensive dilated exams with Optomap wide-angle retinal imaging.
• Optical Shops On-site optical retail locations offering prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and optical services with trained opticians. Online frame shopping and virtual try-on available via shop.associatedeyecare.com.
• Telehealth Virtual eye care appointments for eligible services, allowing patients to receive consultations remotely.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of PanOptix clinical trial patients able to function without glasses
• +2 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Minnesota Eye Consultants: Multi-specialty ophthalmology practice based in the Twin Cities metro (Minneapolis/Plymouth/Bloomington). Directly comparable to Associated Eye Care in specialty breadth, premium IOL adoption, LASIK services, and patient demographic focus, though operating on the west side of the Twin Cities versus AEC's east/Wisconsin footprint.
• Vance Thompson Vision: Midwest-based multi-specialty ophthalmology group with strong premium-technology positioning (early adopter of refractive surgery, premium IOLs, SMILE). Comparable business model, surgeon-led structure, and focus on advanced surgical vision correction.
• TLC Laser Eye Centers: National LASIK-focused refractive surgery chain. Directly comparable on laser vision correction services, with overlapping technology (WaveLight/Contoura platforms) and patient demographic (myopia/astigmatism candidates).
• LasikPlus: Large US LASIK provider chain with freestanding centers. Direct competitor for cash-pay refractive surgery volume, with a similar promotional pricing model (AEC's $500 off campaign mirrors LasikPlus's typical discount tactics).
• Clarkson Eyecare: Midwest-based multi-location optometry and ophthalmology group, part of the EyeCare Partners platform. Comparable service breadth (comprehensive exams, specialty contact lenses, disease management) with similar scale, and a potential acquirer profile for AEC.
• SharpeVision Modern LASIK: Multi-location refractive surgery practice with strong direct-to-consumer marketing positioning. Directly comparable on LASIK, SMILE, and PRK service lines, with a similar premium-technology focus and direct-pay patient model.

Regional players

• Minnesota Retina Associates: Specialty retina-only practice in the Twin Cities. Overlaps with AEC's retina and macular degeneration service line within the same metro area, competing for vitreoretinal referrals in the regional market.
• Chu Vision Institute: Bloomington, MN-based ophthalmology practice specializing in cataract surgery and LASIK. Comparable premium IOL and refractive surgery positioning, and a direct geographic competitor within the Twin Cities market.

Broad incumbents

• EyeCare Partners: PE-backed (Partners Group) national platform of ophthalmology and optometry practices with 300+ locations. Comparable services but operates at vastly greater scale and with significant capital to acquire regional practices like Associated Eye Care.

Emerging players

• Warby Parker: Vertically integrated direct-to-consumer optical retailer that has expanded into in-person eye exams. Competes with AEC's optical shop and well-vision exam services, though lacks surgical capability. Represents both competitive threat and a channel shift in the patient acquisition model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/aeclasik
• Facebookfacebook.com/associatedeyecaremn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/associated-eye-care
• Instagraminstagram.com/associated_eye_care
• Xx.com/associatedeyemn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Associated Eye Care