The Florida Lions Eye Clinic

Tamika Seaton, MAM
Executive Director
The Florida Lions Eye Clinic

Since 2008, the Florida Lions Eye Clinic (FLLEC) has given the “Giving the Gift of Sight” to over 12,000 children and families in Collier and Lee Counties, as well as surrounding areas.

To qualify for our services, patients cannot have medical insurance and their income must be below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.

The clinic was started when a few retired ophthalmologists and Lions Club members wanted to help prevent blindness for low income people in the community. They saw a growing need for eye care for people who could not afford medical insurance.

The Bonita Springs Lions Club’s board of directors approved the idea and assisted with setting up the eye clinic. The founding physicians and Lions Club members, Frank Hayes, Dr. Howard Freedman, Dr. Richard Shapiro, Robert Hilliard, Dr. Alfonse Cinotti, Dr. Joseph Carpentieri, Evelyn Barger, Gordy Hare, and Steve Blad used their connections and experiences from 30+ years in the optical medical practice to put together the eye clinic.

FLLEC is a Federally recognized 501 c 3 charitable status organization. The clinic is 100% supported by donations, grants, and events hosted by the clinic and supporters.

Although it is the only free eye clinic in the State of Florida, it is not supported by government, but is required to follow governmental regulations.

Our Services Include:

• Comprehensive Eye Exams
• Visual Acuity
• Diabetic Exams
• Cornea and Cataract Evaluations
• Macular Evaluation
• Therapy for:
  • Pterygium surgery
  • Glaucoma Management
  • Conjunctivitis
  • General Eye Irritations
• Amblyopia Evaluation and Treatment
• Strabismus Evaluation and Treatment
• Blood Pressure Testing
• Laser Treatment for Glaucoma

The clinic is always looking for medical professionals to make an impact and volunteer. We invite anyone interested to join our team of volunteer ophthalmologists.

The clinic would not be able to operate without the help of volunteer ophthalmologists and volunteer staff.

Some of the clinic’s partnerships include several physicians who provide quality eye care to the clinic’s patients, whether it is at our clinic location in Bonita Springs, Florida or at the referring physician’s practice.

As an out of clinic volunteer physician, a medical practice would receive a referral packet with a letter to accept patients for a pro-bono evaluation.

Physicians are welcome to decide on the number of patients they wish to see in their offices each month.

For more information, visit www.fllec.org or email Executive Director Tamika Seaton, MSM, at tseaton@fllec.org or call Tamika at239-293-2009.

The Clinic is located at 10322 Pennsylvania Avenue, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.