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East Florida Eye Institute

Where Clarity Meets Compassion.

Established in 1989 and nestled in sunny Southeast Florida, East Florida Eye Institute prides itself on offering state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, coupled with the expertise garnered from years of experience, research, and advanced training. With locations in Stuart and Port St. Lucie, our dedicated ophthalmologists are devoted to delivering exceptional patient care. Our skilled doctors and warm, attentive staff prioritize personalized, high-quality service – a testament echoed by our loyal patients, many of whom have entrusted us with their eye care for over 25 years. At EFEI, patients can expect university-level care for severe eye conditions and access to innovative treatments that may not be widely available elsewhere.

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OUR DOCTORS

Here at East Florida Eye Institute, our ophthalmologists, specialist eye doctors, and surgeons take pride in offering patients in Stuart and Port St. Lucie the latest and most advanced treatments for ocular disease, customized to each individual’s needs! 

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Ronald Frenkel MD

Anita Barikian MD

Paul Schacknow MD, PhD

D.I.  |  EFEI Patient

"Best thing I ever did!" That's how I feel about my cataract surgery at East Florida Eye Institute with Dr. Frenkel. Despite my high astigmatism and nearsightedness, the surgery was a resounding success. Now, my vision is clearer than ever, and colors are more vibrant. I never thought life was so beautiful!"

CLINICAL RESEARCH

Major pharmaceutical companies recognize us as a clinical study center for national, randomized, FDA-Sponsored drug trials. We’ve participated in nearly a dozen clinical trials over the last few years. We’re currently enrolling patients in upcoming clinical trials. 

Doctor's Appointment
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Annual eye exams are vital to maintaining your vision and overall health. EFEI offers the optomap® as an important part of our eye exams. The optomap produces an image that is unique and provides Dr. Frenkel and team members with a high-resolution 200° image in order to ascertain the health of your retina. This is much wider than a traditional 45° image. Many eye problems can develop without you knowing, in fact, you may not even notice any change in your sight – fortunately, diseases or damage such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, retinal tears or detachments, and other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure can be seen with a thorough exam of the retina.
 

The inclusion of optomapas part of a comprehensive eye exam provides:

 

• A scan to show a healthy eye or detect disease.
 

• A view of the retina, giving your doctor a more comprehensive view than they can get by other means.

• The opportunity for you to view and discuss the optomap image of your eye with your doctor at the time of your exam.

• A permanent record for your file, which allows Dr. Frenkel and Dr. Barikian to view your images each year to look for changes.
 


The optomap is fast, easy, and comfortable for anyone. The entire image process consists of you looking into the device one eye at a time. The optomap images are shown immediately on a computer screen so we can review it with you.
 
 

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Dr. Frenkel Answers Frequently Asked Questions from Our Patients:

Will cataract surgery cause pain?

No, cataract surgery is generally pain-free.

How long does the surgery take?

​The procedure involves 15 minutes in the laser suite and 30 minutes in the operating room.

Is the surgery safe?

Yes, cataract surgery is recognized as a very safe procedure with a high success rate.

Am I a good candidate for cataract surgery?

Consult with your doctor to determine if the procedure is right for you.

How soon can I return to work?

You can typically resume work within 1-2 days following the surgery.

When can I drive after the surgery?

Driving is usually safe 2 days after the procedure.

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