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.

The Ocala Eye Team

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

Cataract Surgery, Diseases and Surgery of the Anterior Segment

Gordon C. Schwenk, M.D. 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, including the ReZoom and ReSTOR lenses for the correction of presbyopia. Dr. Schwenk has extensive surgical experience and has personally performed more than twelve thousand intraocular procedures. He is the senior partner of Ocala Eye, having joined Donald L. Smith, M.D. in 1984 to establish a comprehensive ophthalmic practice. Together, they changed the name of the practice that was founded in 1971 by Dr. Smith to Ocala Eye Surgeons, and later to 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 then 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 significant experience in the medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases.

Upon completion of the ophthalmology residency in 1984, Dr. Schwenk and his wife relocated to Ocala, where he has enjoyed growing the practice and helping to raise the couples' 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 holds memberships in the American Medical Association, the Florida Medical Association, 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 comprehensive ophthalmology having primary interests in small incision cataract surgery utilizing advanced no-shot / no stitch techniques with simultaneous reduction of astigmatism. Keeping pace with the newest vision technologies featured as part of the Ocala Eye Customized Cataract Care program, Dr. Jank is proficient in the implantation of the latest IOLs which give his cataract patients and others the opportunity to restore youthful vision and gain freedom from the daily inconvenience of glasses and contact lenses. Dr. Jank’s refractive surgery expertise further includes LASIK and Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) for the correction of advanced refractive errors. Dr. Jank also has a special interest in complicated intraocular problems faced by patients who have had trauma or previous unsuccessful surgery.

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 comprehensive ophthalmology having primary interests in Customized Cataract Care utilizing advanced procedures and techniques. He is also an expert in the use of 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 military service 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 comprehensive ophthalmology including cataract surgery, laser surgery and ocular plastic surgery. Utilizing the latest Customized Cataract Care techniques and lens implant technology, Dr. Warren gives his patients the opportunity to restore youthful vision including spectacle independence. 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 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. is a fellowship trained glaucoma specialist. His primary interests are medical, laser, and surgical treatment of glaucoma, anterior segment surgery and the latest implementations of Customized Cataract Care utilizing advanced procedures and techniques to restore youthful vision. 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 both the American College of Surgeons and 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

Chander N. Samy, M.D. is a retinal sub-specialist with fellowship training in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous. His field of expertise comprises age-related macular degeneration (including the latest and most advanced treatments), retinal detachment surgery, 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 in 1991. 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. Utilizing the latest techniques and technologies of Customized Cataract Care, Dr. Polack gives his cataract patients an opportunity to restore youthful vision and gain freedom from glasses and contact lenses.

Dr. Polack 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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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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Mohammed K. ElMallah, M.D.

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


Mohammed K. ElMallah, M.D. is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and board certified ophthalmologist. He practices comprehensive ophthalmology with primary interests in the laser and incisional surgery treatments of glaucoma. Dr. ElMallah is also skilled in the latest surgical procedures for cataract removal utilizing small incision, no stitch techniques. Dr. ElMallah joined Ocala Eye in August 2008 upon completion of his Glaucoma Fellowship at the Duke University Eye Center.

After obtaining his undergraduate degree in computer science from Harvard University, Dr. ElMallah began on his path to ophthalmology at the Baylor College of Medicine and earned his medical degree in 2002 as a Presidential Scholar. Dr. ElMallah’s core ophthalmology studies continued at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at University of Illinois at Chicago where he completed his residency. His ophthalmology training culminated in 2008 with the completion of a glaucoma fellowship at Duke University. In addition to his academic and surgical accomplishments, Dr. ElMallah has been a featured speaker at numerous ophthalmology conferences and has published several articles in peer-reviewed medical journals.

Dr. ElMallah is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. His professional affiliations include memberships in the American Glaucoma Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Florida Medical 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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Robert J. Kraut, M.D.

Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous

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.

Optometry and Contact Lenses

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.

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

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James A. Muse, O.D.

Optometry and Contact Lenses

James A. Muse, O.D. is a Board Certified Optometric Physician who has been practicing optometry since 1994. Dr. Muse provides comprehensive eye care including diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease and low vision. A specialist in contact lens applications and fitting, Dr. Muse joined Ocala Eye in October 2007.

After graduating from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Muse relocated to Lecanto, Florida and practiced optometry at West Coast Eye Institute in 1995. There he specialized in primary eye care, contact lens prescription and fitting, low vision treatments and emergent eye care. His care and diagnostic skills are now available to Ocala Eye patients.

Throughout his career, Dr. Muse has lent his consulting expertise to ophthalmologic and optometric practices throughout Florida and since 1995 has been a Clinical Examiner for the Florida Department of Health Board of Optometry. Dr. Muse is also a contributing author to contact lens related articles in Optometric Management.

Dr. Muse holds professional affiliations with the American Optometric Association, Florida Optometric Association, and Northeast Florida Optometric Society.

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.