[Mimivillager]

Does anyone have experience with a good ophthomologist for cararact surgery? We have Preferred Care Partners Ins but are willing to change for next year if necessary.
Can you recommend Dr Thomas Barnard or Dr WIlliam Dunn from Lady Lake?
How about the one at Lake Eye? We would have to change ins but we heard he was good.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by Mimivillager

Does anyone have experience with a good ophthomologist for cararact surgery? We have Preferred Care Partners Ins but are willing to change for next year if necessary.
Can you recommend Dr Thomas Barnard or Dr WIlliam Dunn from Lady Lake?
How about the one at Lake Eye? We would have to change ins but we heard he was good.

Www.midfloridaeye.com is on PreferredCare Partners plan

[CTgolfer]

Dr. Michael Morris at Ocala Eye did my husband's eye surgery... excellent. He was highly recommended by our eye doctor in NY.

[islandgal]

After trying two well known ophthalmologists here who could not cure a year-long eye infection, I went to
Dr. Zeini, who was recommended by a neighbor.
Quickly infection was cleared.
I had cataract surgery on one eye this week and scheduled for the other eye next week.
I have complete confidence in him and can't say enough good things about him and his staff.

http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Mamdouh_Zeini.html

[Mimivillager]

Thank you Avista for the info about MidFlorida Eye. I would like to know more about them . We really prefer not to change insurance companies. Does anyone have experience with Dr Baumann, Panzo or Charles at that practice? We would like a personable dr who talks to us on our level and allows us to ask questions as we go along. We saw one recently who had a memorized speech and we were not allowed to interrupt him until he was finished. We would like him to be caring and friendly. Where is their office in The Villages?

[Avista]

Originally Posted by Mimivillager

Thank you Avista for the info about MidFlorida Eye. I would like to know more about them . We really prefer not to change insurance companies. Does anyone have experience with Dr Baumann, Panzo or Charles at that practice? We would like a personable dr who talks to us on our level and allows us to ask questions as we go along. We saw one recently who had a memorized speech and we were not allowed to interrupt him until he was finished. We would like him to be caring and friendly. Where is their office in The Villages?

Their office is on 441/27 near the Stonecrest development. I have glaucoma and will be going on Preferred Care Partners. Have been using Ocala Eye, but Mid Florida Eye also looks good. If you do a search on TOTV you might find Dr Panzo mentioned. I believe I've seen him mentioned in this forum.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by islandgal

After trying two well known ophthalmologists here who could not cure a year-long eye infection, I went to
Dr. Zeini, who was recommended by a neighbor.
Quickly infection was cleared.
I had cataract surgery on one eye this week and scheduled for the other eye next week.
I have complete confidence in him and can't say enough good things about him and his staff.

http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Mamdouh_Zeini.html

I agree 100%. Just had my second eye done Tues. Dr Zeini has 37 years experience and has been in TV for 10 years.
As I'm typing this I no longer need glasses.

[JenAjd]

Will be on Preferred Care Partners next year and checked with Mid-Florida Eye since I have some issues. You will NEED to get a referral from an optometrist (and that one in network would be at Lange Eye as MFE's optometrists aren't signed up with PCP). You can have the referral sent to MFE...there's some good things said about a Dr. whose last name begins with P (can't remember the whole name) whose supposed to be very good. Seems weird to me about all the rigamarole one has to go through but have heard with PCP you need referrals with anything beyond your primary. HOPE it's worth it to have the coverage....everyone says it's great!!!

I, too, recommend Dr Zeini. Have been seeing him for 2 years. I am only 58 but he recently diagnosed me with cataracts, the right eye being worse. He suggested I have the surgery but being an RN I wanted a second opinion, mainly to see if I needed to have the surgery right away as I had felt a little rushed. I saw Dr Panzo at MFE. He was very nice & explained everything as Dr Zeini had done and said I did not need to have the surgery now & suggested I be re-checked in 6 months. I have an appt for June but don't think I'll be going back because I had such problems with the office staff. The office is very inconvenient if you live south of 466 because of the traffice on Morse & 441. My sister-in-law had PCP this year and will not be renewing. She had several surgeries on her foot and had a terrible time getting them approved. She had to cancel one surgery twice because they were taking so long. I just remembered something. I think I read it here that they are only in-network for Lake County. Better check first if you decide to try there.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by KittyKat

I, too, recommend Dr Zeini. Have been seeing him for 2 years. I am only 58 but he recently diagnosed me with cataracts, the right eye being worse. He suggested I have the surgery but being an RN I wanted a second opinion, mainly to see if I needed to have the surgery right away as I had felt a little rushed. I saw Dr Panzo at MFE. He was very nice & explained everything as Dr Zeini had done and said I did not need to have the surgery now & suggested I be re-checked in 6 months. I have an appt for June but don't think I'll be going back because I had such problems with the office staff. The office is very inconvenient if you live south of 466 because of the traffice on Morse & 441. My sister-in-law had PCP this year and will not be renewing. She had several surgeries on her foot and had a terrible time getting them approved. She had to cancel one surgery twice because they were taking so long. I just remembered something. I think I read it here that they are only in-network for Lake County. Better check first if you decide to try there.

Referrals are not needed 2011, but will be needed for 2012. I will check with the folks in Lake Sumter, but I'm sure I will be able to get a referral from my primary care physician and not necessarily an optometrist. I was definitely told at the ake Sumter office we can go to any in network doc regardless of county.

My husband has been on Preferred Care Partners and has been very pleased with it. I will be on it starting Jan. Can't give any personal experience yet.

[JenAjd]

The office staff at Mid-Florida Eye told me that only Lake County folks with Preferred Care Partners can be seen there. This is NOT true!!!! I spoke with their main office and you can be seen by the opthamologists there BUT need a referral from an optometrist (which will need to be from Lange...as they're in network and the MFE optometrists are not). The office personell at MFE weren't well informed on this. I've heard Dr. Panzo is a very good doctor to see for eye issues.

I was told that referrals for "any" specialists would be needed with PCP. Not sure that that is the case in 2011. I will try them for one year and then will see re-evaluate next Fall.

[Mimivillager]

After chatting with you wonderful people, I called MFE and made an appt for dh with Dr Panzo for Dec 12. I also watched the videos on their website and was very impressed with Dr Panzo and the patient who recommended him. The girl on the phone asked me what county I live in and I told her Sumter. That was fine with her and she said he needed a referral from an Optomitrist I said he has one from Lange eye and she said she would get it from them. I am also in touch with PCP about all of this and was told he needed a diagnosis from an optomotrist, not necessarily a referral. The PCP rep is getting in touch with his supervisor concerning my dh's problem and will get back to me further. Thanks for all of your input

[JenAjd]

It sounds like PCP AND MFE are getting their acts together from a couple of weeks ago when I tried to get in. I'm glad! Also glad that you were able to get things squared away and that the info on this site was also helpful!!