The Eye Institute of West Florida is the premiere eye care facility of Pinellas County. Using the latest techniques, proven innovations and having some of the finest physicians in the world, our state-of-the-art facility is able to achieve the best results possible for our patients.

Discover the latest advances in micro-incisional cataract surgery and where Dr. Robert Weinstock goes to bring you the latest in operating room technology when you click on this picture link.

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Our physicians helped pioneer the modern cataract procedure - the bimanual microincisional technique. Where other ophthalmologists are beginning to learn this new technique, our physicians have been successfully performing thousands of these types of surgeries for years. Using the microincisional technique is safer and patients are able to see more clearly, sooner, with less pain and return to their normal activities much sooner. The incision is so small it does not require a suture, and has less risk for infection and other complications.

Many advances in the field of ophthalmology have occurred over the last five years. Newer intraocular lens implant options, equipment and technology provide safer procedures with astonishingly clearer visual results. At The Eye Institute we embrace these advances and take pride knowing that our patients will receive the best care possible. Our physicians were the first to use many of these newer innovations before they were made available in the general market because they helped in their development. This means that patients have treatment available to them that they can’t get anywhere else. For example, the new ORange®  wavefront aberrometer by WaveTec Vision Systems delivers real-time analysis of astigmatism correction during cataract surgery that optimizes results and minimizes the need for further refinement. We are one of 5 institutes in the country with this technology. Furthermore, the new 3-D HD vision system by TrueVision is a heads up digital flat panel display in 3-D that provides our surgeons with the most ergonomically, uncompromising operating room efficiencies, also the only one available in the Tampa Bay area.

The skill to perform precious cataract procedures comes from years of training and dedication. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained refractive cataract specialists have attended some of the most prestigious medical training facilities in the world and have brought those skills to Pinellas County. Many of our physicians have patents or pending patents on innovative equipment and procedural techniques of their own design. But most notably, as so many of our patients have stated, it is the care and attention of our physicians that is most remarkable.

Every fall and winter season The Eye Institute hosts many educational seminars on eye diseases and disorders, giving the public an opportunity to participate by asking questions and, at times, receive complimentary screenings. Our refractive cataract specialists host an amazing seminar in 3-D. Using special glasses, viewers get to see a real live demonstration of the cataract procedure. After the presentation, guests can ask the doctor and patient questions they have regarding our advanced microincisional procedure and the latest lens implant options. Please visit the NEWS & EVENTS section of our site for the most up to date schedule.

“The next day, as they put the eye chart on the wall and asked could I see anything, I broke down and cried as for the first time in longer then I could remember I could see the ”E” and five lines below it. I would like to state if anyone has any apprehensions about the cataract procedures, please feel assured that the Staff of the Eye Institute will make it a good experience for you.

Meet Your Cataract Care Specialists

Stephen M Weinstock, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a cataract and LASIK specialist. He founded The Eye Institute of West Florida in 1974, pioneering sub-specialty eye care in Pinellas County. Today, as President and Medical Director, Dr. Weinstock is recognized as a world renowned cataract and LASIK surgeon. He teaches the latest techniques such as “no-stitch, no-patch” cataract extraction and implantation of premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), here and abroad. Dr. Weinstock is also very proud of being the first ophthalmologist to introduce the excimer and YAG lasers to Pinellas County.

In 1999 for his outstanding performance as a refractive surgeon, Dr. Weinstock was honored with the “VISX Star Surgeon” award and placed in the top 5% of refractive surgeons nationwide. He is one of the only surgeons in the country who has been certified by the American Board of Eye Surgery in both Cataract and LASIK surgery. Dr. Weinstock is also an associate clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of South Florida.

Robert J. Weinstock, M.D. is a board-certified ophthalmologist and is fellowship-trained in cataract and refractive surgery. He became interested in ophthalmology at an early age - as he watched and assisted his father. Dr. Weinstock has joined the practice in 2001 after completing his residency at the St. Louis University School of Medicine.

He is the Director of Cataract and Refractive Services at the Eye Institute of West Florida and The Weinstock Laser Eye Center. He also is an associate clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of South Florida, and serves as the Surgical Director of the Largo Ambulatory Surgery Center. He was named one of 250 in Permier Surgeon's List of Leading Innovators of 2010 for his contributions to cataract surgery and premium IOLs. In addition to performing thousands of vision correcting cataract and LASIK procedures each year, Dr. Weinstock speaks and teaches nationally and internationally on customized cataract surgery and surgical innovations. He is continuously engaged in clinical research and studies to evaluate new technology, many of which are sanctioned by the FDA. He is recognized internationally as an expert on new implant technology and microincisional surgical techniques. He has authored many book chapters on cataract surgery and continues to write journal articles on cataract and refractive surgery.

Neel R. Desai, M.D. is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist strictly specializing in LASIK, cataract and corneal diseases of the eye. Dr. Desai is a top graduate of the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed his fellowship in cornea, cataract and refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He is recognized throughout the country and internationally as one of only 100 surgeons able to perform advanced corneal transplants and other complex cataract, corneal and refractive procedures. He holds pending patents to new surgical products and advanced cornea surgical procedures of his own design. Additionally, Dr. Desai has authored many book chapters in his field of study and continues to write articles in peer review journals.