Ophthalmologists and LASIK Eye Doctors in Ocala, Florida

About Ocala Eye

Ocala Eye is the largest, most experienced eye care practice in North Central Florida. Since Ocala Eye was founded in 1971, more people from Marion and surrounding counties trust their eyes to our ophthalmologists than any other eye care group.

We are a patient-centered practice. All of the decisions made are based on the patient's benefit and well being. This philosophy is reflected by our patients' satisfaction and our passion for providing complete eye care. The ophthalmologists and staff work diligently and train constantly to bring the latest and finest eye care techniques to the Ocala area.

Ocala Eye offers convenient, complete, affordable eye care including:

Since Ocala Eye is the only truly comprehensive eye care practice in North Central Florida, patients no longer need to be referred out of town for their specialized eye care problems. Ocala Eye is the only ophthalmology practice in Marion County where you can be sure an eye surgeon is always on call, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We even offer our surgical patients complimentary transportation on the day of their procedure. To schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist or LASIK eye doctor in the Ocala, Florida area, contact Ocala Eye today.

Meet Our Staff Physicians

Each ophthalmologist at Ocala Eye is Board-Certified and has undergone rigorous training and education in their individual fields of specialization. This includes four years of premedical courses in college, four years of medical school, three to five years of internship/ophthalmology residency, and for some, additional fellowship sub-specialty training. After all of this is completed, each physician must then pass lengthy exams to receive board certification.

All of our ophthalmologists have years of surgical experience and each are members of leading professional associations for eye surgeons at the national, state, and local level.

Gordon C. Schwenk, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Cataract Surgery, Diseases and Surgery of the Anterior Segment

Gordon C. Schwenk, M.D., F.A.C.S. practices comprehensive ophthalmology with an emphasis on small incision cataract surgery utilizing the latest no injection / no stitch techniques combined with the most modern and safe intraocular lens implants. He is the senior partner of Ocala Eye, having joined Donald L. Smith, M.D. in 1984. Together they renamed the practice that was founded by Dr. Smith in 1971 Ocala Eye Surgeons, and later Ocala Eye.

A native of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, Dr. Schwenk earned Bachelors and Masters Degrees of Science from the Pennsylvania State University. He received his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. Dr. Schwenk completed a Flexible Internship in internal medicine and surgery at St. Luke’s hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He continued his training in ophthalmology at the Storm Eye Institute at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. This residency program provided him with extensive experience in the medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases.

Upon completion of the ophthalmology residency in 1984, Dr. Schwenk relocated to Ocala, where he has enjoyed growing the practice and raising his three daughters. Dr. Schwenk has been certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American and Florida Medical Associations, the Marion County Medical Society, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

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Mark A. Jank, M.D.

Refractive Surgery, Cataract Surgery, Diseases and Surgery of the Anterior Segment

Mark A. Jank, M.D. practices general ophthalmology having primary interests in small incision cataract surgery utilizing advanced no-shot / no stitch techniques with simultaneous reduction of astigmatism. He also specializes in refractive surgery including LASIK, Conductive Keratoplasty (CK), and epi-LASIK. Dr. Jank’s refractive surgery expertise gives his patients the latest options to be free from the daily inconveniences of glasses and contact lenses. Keeping pace with the newest vision technology, Dr. Jank is also proficient in the implantation of the Crystalens® and similar accommodative IOLs, which gives his cataract patients and others the opportunity to restore youthful vision.

Dr. Jank joined Ocala Eye in July 1988, following nine years of active duty as a U.S. Air Force physician. His military career culminated in Tampa serving as MacDill Air Force Base department of ophthalmology’s chief surgeon. In recognition of his leadership at MacDill, he received the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal in 1988 for improving cataract surgery procedures.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the University of Miami School of Medicine, Dr. Jank performed two years of internal medicine residency, followed by three years of ophthalmology residency at Lackland Air Force Base’s Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He was awarded a letter of commendation by the Air Force Surgeon General for implementing an ophthalmology training program for Air Force emergency room medical personnel. He was later appointed special consultant in Ophthalmology to The Surgeon General.

Dr. Jank periodically takes time out from his practice to visit third world countries where he does charitable surgery on needy patients.

Dr. Jank is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and also of the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the International Society of Refractive Surgeons, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American and Florida Medical Associations, and the Marion County Medical Society.

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John S. Deaton, D.O.

Cataract Surgery, Diseases and Surgery of the Anterior Segment

John S. Deaton, D.O. joined Ocala Eye in January 1990. Dr. Deaton practices general ophthalmology having primary interests in small incision cataract surgery utilizing advanced techniques. He is also proficient in the use of accommodating and multi-focal lens implants, which gives his cataract patients and others an opportunity to restore youthful vision.

Dr. Deaton graduated from the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1978 and served a one-year internship at Tulsa Regional Medical Center. He then began ophthalmic training with the armed forces by completing a two-year ophthalmology preceptorship at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas.

His military service continued with a three-year ophthalmology residency at the Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas in 1984. His distinguished military career spanned eight years, culminating with duty as the consultant ophthalmologist at the USAF Hospital, Lakenheath, England.

Born in Oklahoma City, Dr. Deaton returned to Oklahoma after his release from active duty in June 1987. Before moving to Florida he was an eye surgeon at the Tulsa Regional Medical Center and a clinical instructor in ophthalmology at his alma mater, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dr. Deaton is board certified by the American Osteopathic Academy of Ophthalmology. His professional memberships include the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Florida Society of Ophthalmology, the Osteopathic College of Ophthalmology, the American Osteopathic Association, the American Medical Association, the Florida Medical Society, and the Marion County Medical Society. He is a diplomate of the National Board of Examiners for Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.

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Richard C. Warren, M.D.

Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery and Cataract Surgery

Richard C. Warren, M.D. joined Ocala Eye in August 1990 after nine years as a U.S. Navy doctor. He practices general ophthalmology including cataract surgery, laser surgery and ocular plastic surgery. He specializes in small-incision cataract surgery utilizing the latest no-shot / no-stitch techniques with simultaneous reduction of astigmatism. As a University of Iowa fellowship trained surgeon in reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid surgery, Dr. Warren possesses unique expertise to surgically correct droopy eyelids, tearing problems and remove eyelid skin cancers. Dr. Warren offers his patients skillful resolution to their eye care needs, in fact he was the first Ocala area ophthalmologist to utilize BOTOX® Cosmetic in the treatment of eyelid and facial spasm.

A native of Coral Gables, Florida, Dr. Warren is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray school of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He completed his medicine internship at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Dr. Warren continued with his military career as a specialist in diving medicine, having completed a diving and submarine medicine fellowship at the Naval Undersea Medical Institute in New London, Connecticut. His next duty was a two-year assignment in Guam, where he became the Emergency Room Director in addition to his diving medicine responsibilities. In 1986 he returned to Naval Medical Center San Diego to complete his ophthalmology residency. Prior to his release from active duty, he held a position as head of the ophthalmology clinic at Naval Hospital Newport, Rhode Island. He modernized the hospital’s eye clinic, introducing computerized visual field testing and laser surgery to the clinical process.

Dr. Warren is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American and Florida Medical Associations, the Marion County Medical Society, Florida Society of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. For outstanding scholarship he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the national academic honor society, and Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society.

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Michael Morris, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Glaucoma Surgery, Cataract Surgery, Diseases and Surgery of the Anterior Segment

Michael Morris, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fellowship trained glaucoma specialist. His primary interests are medical, laser, and surgical treatment of glaucoma as well as small incision cataract and anterior segment surgery. Dr. Morris is also actively involved in glaucoma research where he continues to test new glaucoma treatments.

Dr. Morris joined Ocala Eye in August 1994 after completing a Glaucoma Fellowship at the University of Florida. He graduated from Stanford University in 1985 earning a Bachelor of Science Degree garnering distinction honors in Biological Sciences, and was elected to the honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. He attended medical school at the Yale University School of Medicine where he was awarded his Medical Degree in 1989. Dr. Morris completed an internship in Internal Medicine in 1990 at the Greenwich Hospital in affiliation with the Yale University School of Medicine. He pursued his ophthalmology training at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital from 1990 to 1993. During his final year, he was selected as the Chief Resident.

Dr. Morris is a member of the prestigious American Glaucoma Society, which selects its members based on clinical achievement, published articles, and peer recognition. He is also a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners, and is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He has achieved fellow status from the American College of Surgeons, as well as the American Academy of Ophthalmology. His other professional memberships include the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, the American and Florida Medical Associations, and the Marion County Medical Society.

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Chander N. Samy, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous

Dr. Samy is a retinal sub-specialist with fellowship training in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous. His field of expertise includes retinal detachment surgery, age-related macular degeneration, laser surgery, diabetic retinopathy, and macular hole surgery.

Dr. Samy joined Ocala Eye in August 1996. After graduating from the Yale University School of Medicine, he completed an Internal Medicine internship at Yale-New Haven Hospital. His training continued at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School, with an Ophthalmology residency followed by a fellowship in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous.

Dr. Samy is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American College of Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Society of Retina Specialists, American Medical Association, Florida Society of Ophthalmology, Florida Medical Association, and the Marion County Medical Society.

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Peter J. Polack, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Cornea Surgery, Cataract Surgery, External Disease and Refractive Surgery

Dr. Polack is a fellowship trained specialist in refractive surgery, cornea and external diseases. His primary interests are diseases and surgery of the cornea, including sutureless cornea transplants utilizing the DSAEK method, LASIK, Conductive Keratoplasty (CK), and epi-LASIK. Dr. Polack is a LASIK patient himself, having undergone the procedure in May 2000. He also specializes in small incision cataract surgery utilizing advanced no-shot / no-stitch techniques and the implantation of accommodating and multi-focal lens implants. This gives his cataract and other patients an opportunity to restore youthful vision.

Dr. Polack, who is originally from Gainesville, joined Ocala Eye in August of 1996. He is a graduate of Stetson University and the University of South Florida College of Medicine. After completing an internship at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, he was awarded the Dyson Foundation Research Fellowship at Cornell University Medical College. Dr. Polack then returned to Florida for a year, studying corneal diseases with his father, Frank M. Polack, M.D., an internationally known cornea specialist. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary where he was a Chief Resident. Following his residency, he obtained a cornea and refractive surgery fellowship at the University of South Florida.

Dr. Polack is a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Refractive Surgery, and other international cornea societies. Dr. Polack has lectured on corneal diseases and teaches courses on corneal transplant surgery to other ophthalmologists. In addition to publishing several articles, abstracts, and papers, he has coauthored ophthalmology textbooks.

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Hina N. Ahmed, M.D.

Glaucoma Surgery, Cataract Surgery, Diseases and Surgery of the Anterior Segment

Hina N. Ahmed, M.D. is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist. She practices general ophthalmology with primary interests in the laser and incisional surgery treatments of glaucoma. Dr. Ahmed is also skilled in the latest surgical procedures for cataract removal utilizing including small incision no stitch techniques. Dr. Ahmed joined Ocala Eye in August 2005 after completing her Glaucoma Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania’s Scheie Eye Institute.

For the majority of her medical training, Dr. Ahmed endured the colder climates of the northeastern United States. Her path to ophthalmology began at Dartmouth College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology garnering cum laude honors. Following her desire to study the systems of the body she set her sights on medicine. She attended Wright State University’s medical school where she received recognition as a research fellow. She was awarded her medical degree in 2000. Dr. Ahmed’s core ophthalmology training took shape during three years of residency service at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. A medical school interest in histology led to a natural exploration of microsurgery techniques in the eye, including cataract surgery. Her caring approach towards her patients and their thorough medical care was recognized in June 2004 by being honored with the Humanism in Ophthalmology Award.

Dr. Ahmed is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Her professional affiliations include memberships in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Florida Medical Association, and Marion County Medical Society.

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Jodie A. Armstrong, M.D.

Cataract Surgery, Diseases and Surgery of the Anterior Segment

Jodie A. Armstrong, M.D. is no stranger to the Heart of Florida area; after all she was born and raised in Ocala. Beginning with her college education, Dr. Armstrong has traveled throughout the country diligently completing her medical training and establishing her medical career. She joined the accomplished medical staff of Ocala Eye in August 2006.

Dr. Armstrong is an accomplished cataract surgeon utilizing no-shot, no-stitch techniques with the latest methods of astigmatism reduction. Moreover, her experience includes the instruction of ophthalmology residents at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute on how to achieve the best visual outcomes. Her interests also include general ophthalmology and preventative eye exams.

Dr. Armstrong's path to ophthalmology lead through both Florida State University and the University of Miami, where she began her medical school training in 1996. Her medical studies continued in Washington, D.C. where she earned her M.D. in 2000 at Georgetown University. Following her Georgetown Transitional Internship at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Dr. Armstrong began her residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. Upon completion of her residency, she relocated to Miami and obtained medical staff positions at Bascom Palmer and the Veterans Affairs Hospital.

While serving concurrently as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer and the active Chief of Ophthalmology for the VA Hospital, she contemplated a move back to her home town. Dr. Armstrong decided that Ocala was where she wanted to settle her family and establish a permanent home for her ophthalmology practice.

Dr. Armstrong is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. She holds memberships with leading medical societies including the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Florida Medical Association.

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Robert J. Kraut, M.D.

Robert J. Kraut, M.D. is a Board certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in medical and surgical treatments of the retina. Dr. Kraut practices ophthalmology with emphasis on diseases and surgery of the retina. He joined the medical staff of Ocala Eye in March 2007 and has been practicing in central Florida Since 1999. Dr. Kraut’s areas of expertise include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detachment.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Kraut completed medical school at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1992. Dr. Kraut’s ophthalmology residency took place at the Friedenwald Eye Institute of Maryland General Hospital in Baltimore in 1996 where he completed his senior year as chief resident. His training continued at Louisiana State University where he was awarded the Medical and Surgical Retina fellowship.

Dr. Kraut is Board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is president of the Central Florida Society of Ophthalmology. His professional affiliations include the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Kraut has published articles specific to diseases and surgery of the retina in leading peer reviewed journals and textbooks.

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Julie-Ann Beckwitt, O.D.

Julie-Ann Beckwitt, O.D. is a Board Certified Optometric Physician. A native Floridian raised in the Florida Keys, Dr. Beckwitt specializes in the custom fitting and specialty applications of contact lenses and the delivery of primary care optometry. After 23 years of practicing optometry Dr. Beckwitt is pleased to have been invited to become an associate of Ocala Eye and joined the practice in November 2006.

In 1979 Dr. Beckwitt earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Florida. After four years of additional academic and clinical studies, including an externship at St. Luke’s Cataract Institute, she was awarded her doctorate at the Illinois College of Optometry in 1983.

Twenty years ago Dr. Beckwitt joined her family’s optometry practice, which has spanned three generations. Dr. Beckwitt’s grandfather founded the Miami optometric practice in 1910, with an additional Florida Keys location established in 1957 by her father. Dr. Beckwitt has had a strong desire to widen the scope of her practice by joining other eye care professionals throughout her career, and her skills are complemented by the medical staff of Ocala Eye.

Dr. Beckwitt’s current professional memberships include the American Optometric Association, Southern Council of Optometry, Florida Optometric Association, and Central Florida Optometric Society.

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Kelli L. Parks, O.D.

Kelli L. Parks, O.D. is a Board Certified Optometric Physician who has been practicing optometry since 1996. Dr. Parks provides comprehensive eye care including diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease, and specializes in contact lens fitting. Dr. Parks joined Ocala Eye in October 2007 after relocating from the Panhandle of Florida where she practiced at Emerald Coast Eye Institute and the Veteran’s Outpatient Clinic in Tallahassee. Her optometry clinic at the Veterans Clinic provided Dr. Parks with extensive training in screening for diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Parks received her Bachelor of Science degree from California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, and later completed her Doctorate in Optometry in 1996 at the Northeastern Oklahoma College of Optometry in Tahlequah. She completed her clinical training at the W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and at Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Parks received the highly competitive Air Force Health Professions Scholarship and completed four years of active duty at Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, Florida where she served as director of the aircrew contact lens program and acted as the Optometry Flight Commander. She received the Air Force Commendation Medal for her humanitarian service to Honduras after Hurricane Mitch in 1999. Dr. Parks continues to serve as a reservist at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

Dr. Parks is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Armed Forces Optometric Society, and the Florida Optometric Association.

To schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist or LASIK eye doctor in the Ocala, Florida area, contact Ocala Eye today.

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To schedule a consultation with a skilled ophthalmologist or LASIK eye doctor in Ocala, Florida, contact our offices today.

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Did you know that an estimated 67 million people all over the world will be affected by glaucoma, but some 2 million Americans won’t even realize they have it? Undergoing a thorough eye exam will allow us to check for early warning signs and provide effective treatment.