NEW YORK—LION Eye Group, a network of independent optometry practices on Long Island and greater New York announced it has entered into a non-exclusive clinical affiliation agreement with SightMD, a fast-growing ophthalmic provider group with more than 30 practice locations in the New York region. The group has locations across greater Long Island, Westchester, and the New York area. SightMD is a portfolio company of the investment advisory group Chicago Pacific Partners. LION's success has come from executing strategic initiatives that strengthen its position in the eyecare community by partnering with other leaders in the industry, the announcement noted.

LION noted that on Oct. 29, 2020, it announced a plan to partner with ophthalmologists as an integral way to achieve its long-term vision. The “mutually beneficial agreement” with SightMD is the second ophthalmology network with which LION has partnered. Earlier this month it announced a partnership with OCLI Vision, as VMAIL reported.

Launched on Jan. 1, 2020, LION Eye Group is a network of just under 20 successful optometry practices based in New York. Founded as the Long Island Optometric Network, the group has expanded to Manhattan and surrounding boroughs, evolving from a turnkey exit strategy group to a sophisticated optometric network, the announcement said.

James Vena, chief operating partner and interim CEO, said he is excited about the deal with SightMD. “The speed with which we were able to reach an agreement with SightMD proves they are deeply committed to providing quality patient care in a cost-effective and efficient manner,” he said. “I truly believe in the tenets that the value of an idea lies in its use and execution, not just merely the thought, and that time kills all deals.”

Vena added, “Industry trends indicate a growing shortage of ophthalmologists and a surplus of optometrists. We want to help doctors and patients and as a result, emphasize the importance of medical optometry. Both professions perform pre- and post-surgery examinations, which can sometimes leave patients confused and cause gaps in clinical care. These collaborations will provide clarity and continuity of care for both patients and doctors.”

The primary demographic of LION patients is concentrated on Long Island, where SightMD also operates its offices.

Dr. Jeff Martin, SightMD said, “Collaborative care between optometry and ophthalmology is essential for providing optimized eyecare for a growing aging population. The fact that the number of ophthalmologists has stagnated while the patient need is increasing provides a significant opportunity for well-trained, high-quality optometrists like those in LION Eye Group. SightMD's world-class surgeons and unmatched patient availability, 7-days-a-week with a 24/7 in-house call center make us an ideal partner to a progressive group like LION."