Centro Oculistico

What Centro Oculistico does

Centro Oculistico is a privately-held ophthalmology clinic located in Florence, Italy, founded in 1986 by Prof. Ivan Esente. It was the first private medical center in Florence dedicated exclusively to eye care and operates as a single-site facility at Via Fossombroni 2/a. The center provides comprehensive ophthalmic services including cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, refractive surgery, corneal cross-linking, vitreoretinal surgery, pediatric ophthalmology, dry eye treatment (LipiFlow), and contact lens fitting, supported by in-house diagnostic capabilities (OCT, IOL Master biometry, corneal tomography, visual field, ultrasonography). It maintains a team of approximately 15-20 specialist ophthalmologists covering all major subspecialties, supported by orthoptists, optometrists, and administrative staff (51-100 total employees).

The clinical technology stack comprises industry-standard ophthalmic hardware — phacoemulsification systems for cataract surgery, argon and YAG lasers, minimally invasive vitrectomy platforms (23/25/27 gauge), OCT imaging, IOL Master biometry, corneal tomography, and LipiScan/LipiFlow thermal pulsation for dry eye. No AI, machine learning, or proprietary software platforms are disclosed. The center does not develop technology products; it deploys third-party clinical equipment as a service operator.

Revenue is generated entirely through professional services: per-visit consultations and diagnostics, surgical procedures (cataract being the largest at 500+ annually), and ancillary services such as emergency eye care (€70 flat fee) and contact lens dispensing. Patient acquisition combines direct-to-consumer channels (website, phone, online booking, social media) with insurance-driven referrals through direct billing conventions with major Italian insurers (Generali, UniSalute, RBM Previmedical, Blue Assistance, Assirete, Insieme Salute, Poste Vita) and indirect discount agreements (CASAGIT, Banca BCC, SMS Taxi). Installment financing is offered for procedures not covered by insurance. Ownership remains entirely within the Esente family across three generations, with no external institutional investors, private equity involvement, or disclosed funding rounds.

Name

Centro Oculistico

Legal name

Centro Oculistico SRL

Website

https://centrooculisticofirenze.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Centro Oculistico is a family-owned, single-site ophthalmology clinic founded in 1986 in Florence, Italy. It serves Tuscany-region patients across all eye care subspecialties (cataract, glaucoma, retina, pediatric, refractive) with ~20 specialist physicians and direct billing conventions with major Italian insurers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ophthalmology Services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (except Mental Health Specialists) (621111), Offices of Optometrists (62132), Diagnostic Imaging Centers (621512)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Ophthalmology Surgery Centers (HLAFAIAF), Vision & Ophthalmic Diagnostic Centers (Optometry/OCT/Retinal Imaging) (HLAFAKAI), Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF), Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE), Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus (HLAKAKAD)

Keywords

• Ophthalmology services
• Eye care diagnostics
• Cataract surgery
• Refractive surgery
• Pediatric ophthalmology

Headquarters

HQ city

Firenze, Firenze

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Medical Consultations and Diagnostics: Eye examinations, diagnostic tests, and specialist consultations for various eye conditions
2. Surgical Procedures: Cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, refractive surgery, and other surgical interventions. Over 500 cataract patients annually and 7000+ cataract surgeries performed historically.
3. Direct Insurance Conventions: Agreements with major insurance companies (Generali, UniSalute, RBM Previmedical, etc.) where insurance covers costs and patient pays only copay/franchise
4. Indirect Insurance Conventions: Discounted services for insured patients who pay upfront and seek reimbursement from their insurance provider
5. Patient Financing: Installment payment plans offered to patients through financial partnerships for procedures not covered by insurance

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Centro Oculistico is a private ophthalmology clinic in Florence, Italy, founded in 1986, providing comprehensive eye care services including diagnostic examinations, medical treatments, laser procedures, and surgical interventions. The center treats cataracts, glaucoma, keratoconus, macular degeneration, dry eye, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy, and pediatric eye conditions, staffed by approximately 20 specialized ophthalmologists.

Product overview

Centro Oculistico is an ophthalmology center founded in 1986 in Florence, Italy, offering a comprehensive range of eye care services. The center provides surgical treatments including cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, corneal cross-linking, vitrectomy, and eyelid surgery. Diagnostic services encompass OCT, visual field testing, corneal tomography, biometry, and various laser treatments. The facility also offers specialized pediatric ophthalmology, dry eye treatment with LipiFlow technology, contact lens services, and emergency eye care. The center operates with approximately 15-20 specialist physicians and maintains agreements with major insurance providers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cataract Surgery (Chirurgia della Cataratta) Surgical removal of cataracts with artificial intraocular lens implantation, including premium multifocal and toric lenses to correct vision defects. Performed using phacoemulsification technique with topical anesthesia. Service addresses patients with cataracts causing vision impairment.
• Glaucoma Surgery and Laser Interventions Surgical and laser interventions to restore proper intraocular pressure and create alternative fluid drainage pathways in patients with glaucoma.
• Corneal Cross-Linking (Cross Linking Corneale) Minimally invasive treatment for keratoconus that strengthens and rigidifies the cornea through cross-linking to halt or slow disease progression.
• Pediatric Ophthalmology (Oftalmologia Pediatrica) Specialized eye care for children from birth to 14 years, including screening for congenital conditions, amblyopia treatment, strabismus correction, and vision development monitoring.
• Macular Degeneration Treatment (Trattamento Maculopatia) Specialized diagnostic and therapeutic pathway for macular degeneration including OCT imaging, fluoroangiography, and intravitreal anti-VEGF injections.
• Minimally Invasive Vitrectomy (Vitrectomia Mininvasiva) Surgical removal of the vitreous gel using micro-incisions (23, 25, 27 gauge) for retinal conditions including retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and macular conditions.
• Argon Retinal Laser (Laser Retinico Argon) Photocoagulation laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, and macular degeneration using argon laser technology.
• YAG Laser for Secondary Cataract (Laser Yag Cataratta Secondaria) Nd:YAG laser treatment to address opacification of the posterior capsule (secondary cataract) following primary cataract surgery.
• LipiFlow Dry Eye Treatment (Trattamento LipiFlow per Occhio Secco) Thermal pulsation treatment for dry eye syndrome caused by Meibomian gland dysfunction, delivered as a 12-minute in-office procedure using LipiFlow system.
• Intravitreal Injections (Iniezioni Intravitreali) Anti-angiogenic (anti-VEGF) injections administered into the vitreous for treatment of wet macular degeneration and other retinal vascular diseases.
• Eye Diagnostics (Diagnostica Oculistica) Comprehensive diagnostic testing including OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), computerized visual field analysis, corneal tomography, IOL Master biometry, ocular ultrasound, retinal fluoroangiography, endothelial microscopy, and aberrometry for refractive errors.
• Eyelid Surgery (Chirurgia Palpebrale) Surgical procedures for eyelid conditions including blepharoplasty (cosmetic and functional), ptosis correction, and chalazion removal.
• Contact Lens Service (Servizio di Contattologia) Fitting, prescription, and adaptation of soft and rigid gas-permeable contact lenses for refractive errors and special conditions including keratoconus and orthokeratology.
• Eye Emergency Service (Primo Soccorso Oculistico) Walk-in emergency eye care service for urgent conditions such as sudden vision loss, eye pain, redness, or trauma, available during regular opening hours at €70 per visit.
• Online Appointment Booking (Prenotazione Online) Web-based appointment scheduling system allowing patients to select preferred physician, examination type, and time slot, accessible via the Centro Oculistico website.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ cataract surgeries annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• GeneralicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDirect insurance convention where insured patients receive services without paying upfront; Centro Oculistico bills the insurance company directly. Patient pays only copay/franchise if applicable.
• UniSalutecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDirect insurance convention with major Italian health insurer for direct billing arrangements.
• RBM PrevimedicalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDirect insurance convention for health services billing.
• Blue AssistancemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDirect insurance convention for assistance and health services.
• AssiretemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of insurance companies with direct billing agreement.
• Insieme SalutemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplementary health insurance with direct convention.
• Poste VitamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance company with direct billing arrangement.
• CASAGITminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndirect convention with discount on services; patient pays upfront and seeks reimbursement.
• Banca BCCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndirect convention with employee health benefits program.
• SMS TaximinorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCorporate health benefits agreement with taxi company.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Optical Express: Large UK/European laser eye surgery and lens replacement provider. Comparable on refractive and cataract surgical volumes, technology-led positioning, and consumer-direct marketing of ophthalmic procedures.
• Clinica Baviera: European ophthalmology chain (Spain-headquartered) specializing in refractive surgery, cataract and lens implants. Comparable private-pay model, multi-subspecialty ophthalmology offering, and multi-site European footprint.
• TLC Laser Eye Centers: North American chain specializing in LASIK and refractive procedures. Comparable on laser vision correction technology (excimer/PRK), premium positioning, and high-volume surgical model.
• Neovision: Italian private ophthalmology clinic chain offering cataract, refractive and laser eye surgery across multiple cities. Directly comparable to Centro Oculistico in service mix (cataract, refractive, diagnostics) and Italian private-clinic model.
• Vista Vision: Italian ophthalmology group operating multiple centers with cataract, refractive and oculoplastic services. Closely comparable to Centro Oculistico on multi-subspecialty private ophthalmology delivery in Italy.

Broad incumbents

• Optegra: UK-headquartered ophthalmology hospital group operating across the UK and selected EU markets. Comparable as a larger multi-specialty private ophthalmology provider with insurance relationships and premium IOL offerings.
• Moorfields Private: Private extension of Moorfields Eye Hospital (UK/global). Comparable as an established, brand-led ophthalmology institution offering the full subspecialty range including cataract, glaucoma, retina and cornea.

Regional players

• Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi: Public university hospital in Florence with a major ophthalmology department where several Centro Oculistico physicians hold affiliations. Comparable as the dominant regional ophthalmology provider competing for the same Tuscany patient base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/centrooculisticofirenze
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centro-oculistico

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Centro Oculistico