Gailey Eye Clinic

What Gailey Eye Clinic does

Gailey Eye Clinic is a multi-physician, multi-location vision care practice headquartered in Bloomington, Illinois, founded in 1941 by ophthalmology pioneer Watson Gailey, MD. The practice operates 11 clinic locations across Central Illinois (Bloomington/Normal, Peoria, Decatur, Forsyth, Springfield, Danville, Galesburg, Ottawa, LaSalle/Peru, Gibson City) and two Medicare-certified, State of Illinois-licensed outpatient surgery centers (Bloomington Eye Institute since 1987 and Gailey Eye Surgery-Decatur since 2012). It is physician-owned, with no disclosed parent company, private equity sponsorship, or outside investment.

The practice delivers a comprehensive eye care portfolio spanning surgical and medical services: iLASIK vision correction using the IntraLase femtosecond laser and VISX Star S4 excimer laser with the iDesign Advanced Wavescan diagnostic; laser cataract surgery with the Alcon LenSx femtosecond laser alongside traditional cataract surgery; retina services (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment); glaucoma management; pediatric eye care; and cosmetic procedures (Botox, blepharoplasty, oculoplastics). Diagnostic and surgical technology includes 25x-more-accurate wavefront mapping, bladeless femtosecond platforms, and premium intraocular lens implants (multifocal, toric). Optical boutiques at each location dispense prescription eyewear with premium lens technologies (Varilux progressive, Transitions, Crizal anti-reflective, blue-light filtering) and designer frames. The clinical team consists of 8 ophthalmologists (MDs) including subspecialists in vitreoretinal surgery, cornea/external disease, and medical retina, plus 7 optometrists (ODs), many trained at top-tier institutions such as Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Wills Eye Hospital, and the University of Iowa.

The business operates on a hybrid revenue model with three streams: surgical procedures (LASIK, cataract, glaucoma, retina, cosmetic; payment due in full pre-procedure with CareCredit 12-month interest-free financing and HSA/FSA eligibility), optical product sales (prescription glasses, sunglasses, contact lenses with designer brands), and professional services (routine and medical eye exams billed through major medical and vision insurance). Patient acquisition runs through direct-to-consumer scheduling (phone, online forms, text), a structured referring provider network, community outreach events, and traditional advertising (radio, TV, newspaper). The practice does not accept ACA plans including Molina, Meridian, and Aetna Better Health.

Name

Gailey Eye Clinic

Legal name

Gailey Eye Clinic, LTD.

Website

https://gaileyeyeclinic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Gailey Eye Clinic is a physician-owned, multi-location ophthalmology practice founded in 1941, operating 11 clinics and 2 Medicare-certified surgery centers across Central Illinois, providing LASIK, cataract, retina, glaucoma, pediatric, and cosmetic eye care plus optical retail.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology 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

Ophthalmology Clinics (Medical & Surgical Eye Care) (HLAKAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF), Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF), Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Vision & Ophthalmic Diagnostic Centers (Optometry/OCT/Retinal Imaging) (HLAFAKAI)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology medical services
• LASIK vision correction
• Cataract surgery services
• Retinal disease treatment
• Prescription eyewear products

Headquarters

HQ city

Bloomington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Surgical Procedures: Revenue from surgical procedures including LASIK, cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, retina surgery, and cosmetic procedures (blepharoplasty, Botox). Payment due in full prior to procedure with financing options available.
2. Optical Products: Sale of prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses through optical boutiques at each location. Offers frames by designers including Maui Jim, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Dior, Juicy Couture, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Fossil, and KIO YAMATO.
3. Eye Exams and Medical Services: Revenue from routine eye exams, medical eye exams, and ongoing management of eye conditions. Billed to medical or vision insurance depending on exam type.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gailey Eye Clinic is a multi-physician, multi-location vision care practice operating across Central Illinois. It delivers surgical vision correction (iLASIK, laser cataract surgery with Alcon LenSx, PRK, refractive lens exchange), medical eye care (retina, glaucoma, pediatric), routine eye exams, and prescription optical products through 11 clinic locations and two Medicare-certified outpatient surgery centers.

Product overview

Gailey Eye Clinic is a multi-physician, multi-location eye care practice offering a comprehensive portfolio of vision correction and eye health services across Central Illinois. The core offerings center on surgical procedures (iLASIK using IntraLase and VISX Star S4 lasers, Laser Cataract Surgery with Alcon LenSx, traditional cataract surgery, PRK, and Refractive Lens Exchange) supported by advanced diagnostic technologies including the Wavefront CustomVue/iDesign system for personalized treatment planning. The practice also provides medical eye care (retina services, glaucoma treatment, pediatric services), routine eye exams, and cosmetic procedures (Botox, blepharoplasty, oculoplastics). An Optical department offers prescription eyewear with premium lens technologies including Varilux progressive lenses, Transitions adaptive lenses, Crizal anti-reflective coatings, and polarized sun lenses. The clinic operates two accredited surgery centers (Bloomington Eye Institute and Gailey Eye Surgery-Decatur) and accepts various financing options including CareCredit and HSA/FSA accounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• iLASIK Customized laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis procedure using blade-free IntraLase femtosecond laser combined with wavefront-guided VISX Star S4 excimer laser for vision correction in adults with refractive errors.
• Laser Cataract Surgery with Alcon LenSx Blade-free, computer-guided femtosecond laser cataract surgery using the Alcon LenSx system for precise corneal incisions, capsulotomy, and lens fragmentation in patients with cataracts.
• Cataract Surgery Traditional surgical removal of clouded natural lens with replacement by artificial intraocular lens implant for patients with cataracts.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) Surface ablation laser vision correction procedure that applies laser treatment directly to the cornea surface without creating a corneal flap, offered as an alternative to LASIK.
• Refractive Lens Exchange Procedure replacing the eye's natural lens with an artificial lens implant, similar to cataract surgery, for patients over 55 or those with early cataract development.
• Routine Eye Exams Comprehensive vision testing and eye health examinations including visual acuity testing, refraction, slit lamp exams, glaucoma testing, pupil dilation, and visual field testing.
• Retina Services Diagnosis and treatment of retinal conditions including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal tears/detachments, and vitreoretinal diseases.
• Glaucoma Treatment Medical, laser, and surgical treatments for glaucoma including MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) options combined with cataract surgery.
• Pediatric Services Eye care services for children including comprehensive eye exams required for school enrollment in Illinois.
• Botox Injections FDA-approved botulinum toxin injections for treatment of facial wrinkles including frown lines, crow's feet, and furrowed brows.
• Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lifts) Surgical procedure using CO2 laser to remove excess skin and fatty tissue from upper and lower eyelids for rejuvenation and improved vision.
• Oculoplastics Surgical procedures including ptosis repair, ectropion repair, entropion repair, and lid malposition treatments.
• Prescription Eyewear Sale of prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses through optical boutiques at each clinic location, offering frames by designers including Maui Jim, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Dior, Juicy Couture, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Kate Spade, Fossil, and KIO YAMATO.
• Contact Lenses Various types of contact lenses including disposable, color-enhancing, flexible/extended wear, gas-permeable, toric for astigmatism, and multifocal for presbyopia.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of LASIK patients return to normal daily activities within 24 hours of procedure
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Eversight Illinois (formerly Watson Gailey Foundation Eye Bank)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Eversight Illinois- Bloomington is central Illinois' eye bank, originally founded as the Watson Gailey Foundation Eye Bank in 1951 as part of Mennonite Hospital. Provides eye tissue donation, transplantation, and research services. The clinic maintains a historical connection to this eye banking organization, which has carried on the mission of restoring sight in central Illinois communities for over 70 years.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CEENTA (Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates): Large multi-physician, multi-location ophthalmology and ENT practice in the Carolinas offering comprehensive medical, surgical, and optical eye care. Closely comparable to Gailey in scope (multi-specialty ophthalmology + optometry + optical retail) and physician-owned multi-site model, but at significantly larger scale.
• LASIKPlus: U.S. chain of refractive surgery centers offering LASIK and PRK with a similar consumer-facing brand model. Comparable to Gailey's premium elective refractive offering and competes in the same procedure category, though lacks Gailey's full-service ophthalmology breadth.
• TLC Laser Eye Centers: National LASIK-focused refractive surgery chain with multiple centers across the U.S. Directly comparable to Gailey's iLASIK service line, with similar laser platforms and consumer marketing approach; however TLC is specialty-focused whereas Gailey offers full ophthalmology breadth.
• Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center: Multi-location ophthalmology and optometry group in the Southwest offering cataract, LASIK, retina, glaucoma, and optical retail—mirroring Gailey's service mix. Now part of a PE-backed platform (American Vision Partners), making it directly comparable in operating model and consolidation pathway.

Emerging players

• EyeSouth Partners: Private equity-backed ophthalmology management platform aggregating regional practices across the U.S. southeast and beyond. Functions as both a potential acquirer and a competitive threat to independent groups like Gailey, with the capital and infrastructure to enter new geographies.

Broad incumbents

• LensCrafters (EssilorLuxottica): National optical retail chain offering eye exams, prescription eyewear, and contact lenses inside retail locations. Competes with Gailey's optical boutiques on eyewear convenience and brand assortment, though Gailey's integrated medical/surgical offering is materially differentiated.

Regional players

• Springfield Clinic: Large multi-specialty physician group in Springfield, IL with ophthalmology services. Operates in a Central Illinois market that overlaps Gailey's Springfield clinic and competes for eye care referrals from primary care and optometry partners in the same region.
• Carle Eye Center (Carle Health): Multi-specialty ophthalmology service line within Carle Health, a regional Illinois health system based in Champaign-Urbana. Comparable to Gailey as a Central/Mid-Central Illinois eye care provider offering surgical and medical ophthalmology, but operates as part of a larger integrated delivery system.
• OSF HealthCare Eye Services: Integrated Illinois health system with ophthalmology services spanning Peoria and surrounding regions, including retina and cataract care. Overlaps with Gailey's Central Illinois footprint and competes for surgical referrals in adjacent geographies such as Peoria and Bloomington.

Others

• Warby Parker: Vertically integrated eyewear retailer offering prescription glasses, contact lenses, and increasingly eye exams. Adjacent to Gailey's optical boutique and contact lens business; competes on price and convenience for routine corrective eyewear even if not for surgical eye care.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/gaileyeyeclinic
• Instagraminstagram.com/gaileyeyeclinic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Gailey Eye Clinic