Piedmont Eye Center

What Piedmont Eye Center does

Piedmont Eye Center is a privately held, physician-owned multi-specialty ophthalmology practice headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, operating across three locations (Lynchburg, Bedford, Farmville/Southside Eye Center) with more than 100 staff and seven to eight sub-specialist ophthalmologists. Founded by Remo Lotano, MD in 1973 and currently led by Darin K. Bowers, MD, the practice serves an extended regional population of roughly 250,000 in Central Virginia, with services spanning advanced cataract surgery (traditional and LenSx femtosecond laser-assisted, with premium IOLs including the Light Adjustable Lens), iLASIK refractive surgery, corneal surgery (DSAEK, DMEK, DALK), glaucoma management, retina care, dry eye treatment (iLux), comprehensive eye exams, clinical research, and charitable cataract surgery through the Operation Sight partnership with the ASCRS Foundation.

The underlying technology base is medical-device-led rather than software-led: femtosecond and UV-tunable lens platforms, wavefront aberrometry, iris registration, and automated perimetry underpin surgical precision, while administrative workflows run through the EMA patient portal, online appointment booking, MARLO-based contact lens e-commerce, and CareCredit/InstaMed payment rails. The practice augments physician capacity with four Certified Clinical Research Coordinators running studies in dry eye, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma, and operates a 3,000 sq ft dedicated research suite within a 22,000+ sq ft custom facility that includes a climate-controlled laser suite and 40 exam lanes.

Revenue is generated through professional services billing for medical and surgical eye care, hardware sales through Alcon contact lens distribution via the MARLO platform, and clinical research contracts with pharmaceutical and medical device sponsors. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer across Central Virginia, with appointment funnels driven by website forms, phone calls, and local referral networks; LASIK demand is also stimulated through free consultations and a $1,100 promotional discount financed through CareCredit. The practice supplements this commercial model with mission partnerships (Health In Sight Mission of Roatan, Operation Sight, Free Clinic of Central Virginia) that reinforce community brand equity rather than generating material revenue.

Name

Piedmont Eye Center

Legal name

Piedmont Eye Center, Inc.

Website

https://piedmonteye.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Piedmont Eye Center is a physician-owned, multi-specialty ophthalmology practice in Lynchburg, Virginia, operating three regional locations with eight sub-specialists serving roughly 250,000 residents of Central Virginia through cataract, LASIK, glaucoma, cornea, retina, and dry eye services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology Services

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (Ophthalmic/Outpatient Eye Surgery) (HLAKAKAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF), Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE), Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF), Contact Lenses & Care Systems (Soft/RGP/Scleral Lenses; Cleaning/Disinfection Solutions) (HLAHAJAE), Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Vision & Ophthalmic Diagnostic Centers (Optometry/OCT/Retinal Imaging) (HLAFAKAI)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology services
• Cataract surgery
• LASIK eye surgery
• Glaucoma treatment
• Retina care

Headquarters

HQ city

Lynchburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Medical and Surgical Eye Care Services: Revenue from comprehensive ophthalmology services including eye exams, diagnostic testing, medical treatments, and surgical procedures for cataracts, glaucoma, cornea, retina, and refractive corrections
2. Contact Lens Sales: Contact lens ordering through MARLO partnership with Alcon brand lenses shipped directly to patients; revenue from lens sales and fitting services
3. Clinical Research: Participation in clinical trials for pharmaceutical and medical device companies, generating revenue through research contracts and study participation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Piedmont Eye Center is a multi-specialty ophthalmology practice providing comprehensive medical and surgical eye care across Central Virginia. Core offerings include advanced cataract surgery (with LenSx laser and Light Adjustable Lens), iLASIK blade-free refractive surgery, corneal transplants (DSAEK, DMEK, DALK), glaucoma treatment, retina care, iLux dry eye treatment, routine eye exams, and contact lens ordering, delivered by eight subspecialists across three locations.

Product overview

Piedmont Eye Center is a multi-specialty ophthalmology practice offering a coordinated portfolio of eye care services. Its core offerings center on surgical vision correction — Advanced Cataract Surgery (including LenSx™ laser and the Light Adjustable Lens™), iLASIK™ blade-free laser eye surgery, Corneal Surgery (DSAEK, DMEK, DALK), and Retina Services — supplemented by glaucoma management, the iLux® Dry Eye Treatment, eye exams, and contact lens ordering. The practice also operates a clinical research division and the charitable Operation Sight program. Premium IOLs (Clearview™ Multifocal, AcrySof® TORIC, PanOptix®, Vivity®, ReSTOR®) are add-on lens options within the cataract surgery pathway. Together these services are delivered by seven eye doctors across three Virginia locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advanced Cataract Surgery
• Light Adjustable Lens (LAL)
• iLASIK Eye Surgery
• Corneal Surgery
• Glaucoma Treatment
• Retina Services
• iLux Dry Eye Treatment
• Eye Exams
• Contact Lens Ordering
• Clinical Research Studies

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of mild-to-moderate nearsighted patients could see 20/20 or better without glasses or contacts after iLASIK
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers28 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Health In Sight Mission of RoatancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristian-based nonprofit organization co-founded by Dr. Darin Bowers in 2005 to provide eye care in Roatan, Honduras. First eye clinic established in the poorest region with Oakridge Community Clinic fully equipped for ophthalmic surgery. Annual team trips provide care to impoverished area.
• Free Clinic of Central VirginiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPiedmont Eye Center has been actively involved in providing eye care to patients since clinic opened in 1987. Founder Dr. Remo Lotano helped establish first on-site ophthalmology specialty clinic.
• Johnson Health CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPiedmont Eye Center provides quality comprehensive eye care for patients referred with limited/no insurance or facing financial difficulties.
• Eye Care AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic service program of Foundation of American Academy of Ophthalmology providing free eye exams and medication assistance to those who cannot afford care.
• Northwest Haiti Christian MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Paauw and volunteers join team of approximately 30 to serve Northwest Zone of Haiti, the poorest zone in Western Hemisphere. Team ministers to around 1000 patients and performs 100-200 surgical cases annually.
• Operation Sight (ASCRS Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable cataract surgery program of American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation. Piedmont Eye Center doctors participate as volunteer surgeons providing free/reduced cost cataract surgery to patients at or below 200% Federal Poverty Level.
• Ambulatory Surgery Center of LynchburgcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOne of two facilities where Piedmont Eye Center performs cataract surgery, providing comfortable outpatient surgical setting for patients.
• Virginia Baptist Outpatient Surgery CentercoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSecond facility option for Piedmont Eye Center patients undergoing surgery, offering comfortable atmosphere for outpatient procedures.
• MARLOcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline contact lens ordering platform partnership enabling patients to order Alcon brand contact lenses 24/7 with free 2-3 day shipping directly to their door.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Eye Center of Texas: Houston-area multi-specialty ophthalmology practice offering cataract, LASIK, glaucoma, cornea and retina services with physician ownership — comparable mid-size multi-sub-specialty group.
• Wolfe Eye Clinic: Iowa-based multi-specialty eye care practice with sub-specialists in cornea, glaucoma, retina and refractive surgery, plus clinical research — direct operating analogue to Piedmont's sub-specialty and research model.
• Discover Vision Centers: Multi-specialty ophthalmology group in Kansas City offering LASIK, cataract surgery with premium IOLs, and specialty eye care — comparable in scope of sub-specialty services and surgeon-led ownership.
• Mann Eye Institute: Multi-specialty ophthalmology and LASIK practice in Texas with ASCs, premium IOLs and fellowship-trained sub-specialists — a close operating analogue to Piedmont's surgeon-led, multi-sub-specialty model.
• Vistar Eye Center: Multi-location ophthalmology and optometry practice headquartered in Roanoke, VA covering cataract, LASIK, retina, glaucoma and cornea — directly comparable in geography and service mix to Piedmont.
• Chu Eye Institute: Dallas/Fort Worth ophthalmology group offering LASIK, premium cataract surgery and cornea care — comparable in advanced-technology adoption and surgeon-led operations.
• Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute (PCLI): Multi-site ophthalmology practice focused on cataract, LASIK and refractive surgery across the Pacific Northwest with surgeon-owned ASCs — comparable in ASC-leveraged cataract/refractive mix.
• Dulan Eye Institute: Multi-specialty ophthalmology practice in Maryland providing LASIK, cataract, glaucoma, cornea and retina services — directly comparable sub-specialty mix in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Others

• Alcon (manufacturer partner via MARLO): Global ophthalmic medical device and contact lens company; included as an upstream partner rather than direct competitor — Piedmont re-orders Alcon contact lenses through the MARLO platform, making Alcon a key supplier/ecosystem participant in Piedmont's contact lens revenue stream.

Regional players

• Riverside Eye Center: Mid-Atlantic ophthalmology practice serving Virginia and surrounding states — comparable patient demographic and regional referral dynamics though not directly overlapping Piedmont's catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PiedmontEyeCntr
• Facebookfacebook.com/piedmonteye
• Instagraminstagram.com/piedmonteyecenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/piedmont-eye-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Piedmont Eye Center