The Eye Center, P.A.

What The Eye Center, P.A. does

The Eye Center, P.A. is a privately held, physician-owned ophthalmology practice headquartered in a single facility at 1655 Bernardin Avenue, Suite 100, Columbia, South Carolina. The practice employs 11-50 staff including six board-certified ophthalmologists (R. Brian Huff, Matthew T. Clary, Chip Platt, Ryan N. Mercer, Daniel Smith, and H.L. Rick Milne III) and an optometrist (Peter Koerner), and self-identifies as the leading refractive and eye care practice in South Carolina. Its service portfolio spans LASIK and refractive surgery (Thin Flap LASIK, PRK, EVO Visian ICL, monovision, PRELEX), premium cataract surgery with multiple IOL platforms (PanOptix, Vivity, Synergy, TECNIS Symfony, Toric, Rayner), minimally invasive and laser-based glaucoma management (OMNI, Kahook Goniotomy, iStent, SLT, DURYSTA), and ancillary services including corneal transplants, diabetic eye care, dry eye treatment, keratoconus, blepharoplasty, and YAG capsulotomy.

The practice operates from a dedicated eye-surgery facility equipped with advanced FDA-approved ophthalmic technology, most notably the Alcon LenSx Femtosecond Laser for blade-free cataract and LASIK procedures, an extended premium-IOL portfolio for customized refractive outcomes, the OMNI MIGS system for combined cataract-and-glaucoma cases, and corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus. Reported outcomes include 98% of LASIK patients achieving 20/40 vision or better and majority achieving 20/20, with cataract patients typically regaining clear vision within 1-3 days post-procedure.

The business model is direct-to-consumer healthcare with hybrid B2B2C patient flow. Revenue is generated from one-time surgical procedures (LASIK, cataract, PRELEX, glaucoma), professional consultation and exam fees, premium IOL hardware sales bundled into surgical packages, and patient financing partnerships that enable access to higher-priced procedures. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quoted per patient during consultation; financing partners absorb credit risk on multi-thousand-dollar premium procedures. Patient acquisition combines a formal physician/optometrist referral program, Google remarketing and paid SEM, content marketing via an educational blog, and bottom-of-funnel patient testimonials. The geographic footprint is a single regional location serving patients across South Carolina, with no disclosed plans for additional sites.

Name

The Eye Center, P.A.

Legal name

The Eye Center, P.A.

Website

https://theeyecentersc.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Eye Center, P.A. is a physician-owned, full-service ophthalmology practice in Columbia, South Carolina, delivering LASIK, premium cataract surgery, and glaucoma care using advanced FDA-approved surgical technology to individual patients across the state.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (62111), Offices of Optometrists (621320)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF), Glaucoma Specialists (HLAKAKAG), Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF), Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology services
• Refractive surgery
• Cataract surgery
• Glaucoma treatment
• Laser vision correction

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Surgical Procedures: Revenue from refractive and surgical eye procedures including LASIK, cataract surgery, PRELEX, and glaucoma treatments performed at the practice's surgical facilities
2. Consultation and Exam Services: Revenue from comprehensive eye exams, diagnostic evaluations, and consultation services for various eye conditions
3. Intraocular Lens (IOL) Sales: Premium IOL products (multifocal, EDOF, toric) sold as part of cataract and PRELEX procedures
4. Financing Options: Partnership with financing companies to provide payment plans for patients, enabling access to premium procedures

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Eye Center, P.A. is a full-service ophthalmology practice providing medical, laser, and surgical eye care with specialization in refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL), cataract surgery with premium IOL implants, and glaucoma management. Services are delivered by board-certified ophthalmologists at a state-of-the-art surgical facility in Columbia, South Carolina, using FDA-approved technology such as the Alcon LenSx Femtosecond Laser. The practice also offers complementary services including corneal transplants, diabetic eye care, dry eye treatment, keratoconus care, blepharoplasty, and YAG laser capsulotomy.

Product overview

The Eye Center, P.A. is a full-service eye care practice offering a comprehensive portfolio of ophthalmic services centered on refractive surgery, cataract surgery, and glaucoma management. The core offerings include Thin Flap LASIK, PRK, EVO Visian ICL, and PRELEX for vision correction; advanced cataract surgery with multiple premium IOL options (AcrySof PanOptix, Vivity, Toric, TECNIS Symfony, Synergy, Rayner); and minimally invasive glaucoma procedures (Omni, Kahook Goniotomy, iStent, SLT, DURYSTA). The practice also provides corneal transplants, diabetic eye disease treatment, dry eye management, keratoconus care, blepharoplasty, and YAG laser treatment. Services range from laser-based surgical procedures to diagnostic examinations and specialty lens fittings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) Laser refractive surgery that reshapes the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, reducing or eliminating dependence on glasses or contact lenses for adult patients seeking vision correction.
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) Laser eye surgery that reshapes the corneal surface directly without creating a flap, suitable for patients with thin corneas, active lifestyles, or those not candidates for LASIK.
• EVO Visian ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens) Permanent implantable lens placed behind the iris for patients with high refractive errors or thin corneas who are not candidates for laser-based procedures, providing high-definition vision correction.
• Cataract Surgery Surgical removal of clouded natural lenses with replacement using artificial intraocular lenses (IOLs), utilizing phacoemulsification and advanced surgical techniques delivered in a dedicated eye-surgery facility.
• PRELEX (Presbyopic Lens Exchange) Refractive Lens Exchange that replaces the eye's natural lens with a premium multifocal or accommodating IOL before cataracts develop, eliminating the need for reading glasses and preventing future cataracts.
• Monovision Correction Vision correction approach where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near vision, allowing the brain to adapt for clear sight at all distances without glasses.
• OMNI Glaucoma Surgery Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) that targets the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal to enhance aqueous humor outflow and lower intraocular pressure.
• Kahook Goniotomy Minimally invasive glaucoma procedure that removes trabecular meshwork tissue to improve fluid drainage and lower intraocular pressure.
• iStent Implantation Micro-bypass stent implanted during cataract surgery to reduce intraocular pressure in patients with mild-to-moderate glaucoma.
• SLT (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty) Laser procedure that uses targeted laser energy to improve aqueous fluid drainage and reduce intraocular pressure as part of glaucoma management.
• DURYSTA Implantation Innovative bimatoprost implant for glaucoma that reduces intraocular pressure and preserves vision, offered as an alternative to daily glaucoma eye drops.
• Glaucoma Management Comprehensive diagnosis and personalized treatment of glaucoma using advanced diagnostic tools and individualized care plans to prevent vision loss.
• Corneal Transplant Surgical replacement of damaged or diseased corneal tissue with healthy donor tissue to restore vision in patients with advanced corneal disease.
• Diabetic Eye Disease Treatment Specialized diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related eye conditions to prevent vision loss in patients with diabetes.
• Dry Eye Treatment Comprehensive in-house dry eye clinic providing advanced therapeutic options for chronic dry eye relief.
• Keratoconus Treatment Management of keratoconus including specialty contact lens fitting, corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), and surgical options to stabilize vision.
• Blepharoplasty Eyelid surgery to remove excess skin, fat, and muscle from upper or lower eyelids for cosmetic or functional improvement.
• Posterior Capsular Haze Treatment (YAG Laser Capsulotomy) Quick laser procedure to restore clear vision by treating cloudiness that can develop following cataract surgery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of LASIK patients achieve 20/40 vision or better
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Woolfson Eye Institute: Atlanta-area ophthalmology practice specializing in LASIK, cataract surgery, and lens implants — directly comparable as a regional refractive/cataract brand operating in a similar physician-ownership and DTC-marketing model.
• Mann Eye Institute: Multi-location ophthalmology practice in Texas offering LASIK, cataract surgery with premium IOLs, glaucoma, and corneal services — directly comparable as a regional, multi-subspecialty eye surgery group with a similar procedural mix and physician-led model.
• Shepherd Eye Center: Las Vegas-based ophthalmology group providing LASIK, cataract surgery with premium IOLs, and glaucoma management — closely comparable as a regional, physician-led practice competing on technology breadth and surgical volume in its local market.
• Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center: Arizona-based multi-specialty ophthalmology practice offering LASIK, cataract, glaucoma, and corneal care through a network of offices — comparable as a regional eye surgery brand built around a similar service portfolio and direct-to-consumer marketing approach.

Regional players

• Piedmont Eye Center: Mid-Atlantic regional ophthalmology practice offering cataract, glaucoma, and refractive surgery — comparable as a similarly sized, multi-subspecialty regional group practicing in a different but analogous U.S. geography.
• Palmetto Eye & Laser Center: South Carolina ophthalmology practice offering LASIK, cataract surgery, and general eye care in the same state — a regional competitor with overlapping service mix targeting the same patient population.
• Columbia Eye Clinic: Local Columbia, SC ophthalmology and optometry provider offering surgical and general eye care — a same-market regional peer competing for the same Midlands South Carolina patient base.

Broad incumbents

• TLC Laser Eye Centers: Larger, established national LASIK-focused brand offering laser vision correction across multiple U.S. markets — comparable on refractive surgery service line but operates at materially greater scale and brand recognition than The Eye Center.
• Eyecare Partners (US Eye): PE-backed national ophthalmology platform aggregating regional practices, including refractive and cataract surgery offerings — a broad incumbent that competes with independents on physician recruitment, capital, and referral networks.

Emerging players

• Katena Eye Group (Keplr Vision): PE-backed consolidator building a network of ophthalmology and optometry practices — an emerging platform peer whose roll-up strategy increases competitive intensity for independent practices like The Eye Center.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/eyecentersc
• Facebookfacebook.com/EyeCenterSC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 The Eye Center, P.A.