A Florida ophthalmology practice has agreed to pay $1.3 million to resolve federal allegations that it knowingly submitted false claims for medically unnecessary cranial ultrasounds.

Marietta, Ga.-based Cobb Eye Center has joined under the Atlanta-based Georgia Eye Partners brand.

SightMD New Jersey added Marez Megalla, MD, to its medical staff. 

Eyecare platform Eye Health America has launched a partnership with Bowden Eye & Associates in Jacksonville, Fla. 

An optometrist in Austin, Texas, has agreed to pay the U.S. and the state of Texas $1,055,379 to resolve allegations that he violated the False Claims Act and the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act. 

Lake Success, N.Y.-based Northwell Health has opened the Northwell Health Eye Institute's Wachenheim Center in Harrison, N.Y.

Retired ophthalmologist Jay Berger, MD, was taken into custody Oct. 29 following a stand-off with Atlanta police, according to an Oct. 30 report from Alive 11. 

Officials at the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Academy of Optometry and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology have published a joint letter urging Congress to reject a plan to close the National Eye Institute, according to an Oct. 30 Medscape report. 

Atlanta-based EyeSouth Partners has formed a partnership with Lexington-based Kentucky Eye Institute, marking their second affiliation in Kentucky.

Ronald Goldstein, OD, a New York City-based optometrist, was attacked while examining patients in his office on the Upper East Side, according to an Oct. 18 report from ABC7.

The West Virginia State Medical Association and the West Virginia Academy of Eye Physicians & Surgeons have filed a lawsuit asking the state court to enjoin a new rule, supported by the West Virginia Board of Optometry and signed in March by the state's governor, that allows optometrists to perform some eyelid procedures and surgeries, according to an Oct. 20 report from the American Medical Association. The suit also seeks an immediate injunction to halt the practice. 

A 45-year-old private ophthalmology practice in Lexington, N.C., has partnered with the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Wake Eye Institute and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, according to an Oct. 21 report from The Dispatch.

The private practice of Charleston, S.C., ophthalmologist Ryan Pine, MD, is joining forces with Mattoon, Ill.-based Sarah Bush Lincoln, according to an Oct. 17 report from the Journal Gazette & Times-Courier. 

Hauppauge, N.Y.-based SightMD has added two ophthalmologists, Paul Svitra, MD, and Kevin Vo, MD, to its team.

TriaVision, a new ophthalmology group founded by a group of 15 specialists, opened the doors to its first clinics in July and is already operating eight clinics across Central Alabama, according to an Oct. 7 report from the Birmingham Business Journal. 

Two ASCs focused on ophthalmology have been proposed in Jefferson County, Ala., according to an Oct. 7 report from ABC affiliate 3340 News.

Staar Surgical has relocated its ophthalmology training center to an expanded office in Lake Forest, Calif., according to an Oct. 6 report from the Orange County Business Journal.

An analysis of past research conducted by the Salt Lake City-based University of Utah Health John A. Moran Eye Center found cause for further testing to determine if cataracts might someday be reversed with eye drops. 

The Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute secured a $10 million gift to build an artificial intelligence center.

Christopher Teng, MD, has been named the new chair of the department of ophthalmology & visual sciences at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester, Mass.