Our Firsts

OUR FIRSTS:

NATURE COAST EYECARE INSTITUTE is a luxurious, 23,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility located in Perry, Florida.  We provide our patients with ultra-premium service at value pricing. Our practice is owned and controlled by the ophthalmologist responsible for outcomes; not a large corporation or group of optometrists.  That means better service for our patients and the utmost focus on the best possible outcomes.

Since our inception we have continuously invested in cutting edge technology, and we've been the first in the area to do so.  Here are some of our "firsts":

1992- First Solid State 532 nm laser for treatment of diabetes and glaucoma in southeastern US.

1995- Implanted first acrylic lens in state of Florida.  Dr. Shugar wrote the articles in Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery describing implantation technique.

1995- Acquired first Legacy machine for cataract removal in region, increasing safety of procedure.

1997-Invented "Shugarcaine" for "no shot, no patch, no stitch" anesthesia during cataract surgery,  now used by thousands of ophthalmologists worldwide.

1997-Purchased first ( and still only) Orbscan in region- performs CAT scan of cornea, increasing safety of LASIK.

2000-Purchased first IOL Master in region for improved accuracy of focus following cataract surgery.

2001-Purchased first "VISX STAR S3" with tracker in the region (second in Florida), allowing automatic tracking of eye through un-dilated pupil for improved accuracy. Which has been upgraded to a Visx S4 IR, which is the same laser approved for use on astronauts and fighter pilots

2001-Purchased first SLT laser in state of Florida for cool, non-thermal in-office treatment of glaucoma, often reducing or eliminating need for eye drops.

2002-First commercially available WaveScan in Florida, allowing laser correction of vision problems not correctable with glasses or contact lenses and greatly increasing chances for better than 20/20 "super vision".  Performed first wafefront-driven LASIK in region.

2002-Purchased first ECP in region for safer, minimally invasive treatment of glaucoma.

2006-First (and still only) in the region with the ICL technology.

2006-Implanted first ReStor and ReZoom, Crystalens, multi focal lens implants in region, allowing for simultaneous near, intermediate and distance vision with out glasses regardless of age.

2006-Performed first DSAEK "no stitch, no shot, no patch, no needle" corneal transplant in region.

2007-First practice in southeast US to acquire version 5 IOL Master upgrade, further increasing accuracy of focusing following cataract surgery.

2007-Aquired IR upgrade to S4 laser (only IR in region, providing more accurate LASIK results than other lasers).

2007-Purchases first Cirrus 3 dimensional optical coherence tomography (OCT) machine in southeast United States to perform 3 dimensional "CAT scan" of retina for better care of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal problems.

Our commitment to provide the best health care for our patients and their families does not end there; we are continually expanding upon our education and services so you can be confident that Nature Coast EyeCare Institute is truly focused on you.