Merck has reached a deal to purchase ophthalmology brand Eyebiotech for $1.3 billion, according to a May 29 report from The Wall Street Journal.

Here are four ophthalmology groups that have acquired and added practices that Becker's has reported on since Feb. 22:

St. Louis-based ophthalmology management group EyeCare Partners has received a $275 million loan as part of a private debt exchange with the holders of a majority of its existing term loans, according to a May 17 report from the St. Louis Business Journal.

The highest-paid ophthalmologist in New Orleans earns $722,900 per year, according to Medscape's salary reporter tool, which is much higher than the mean annual wage of $312,120 ophthalmologists make according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Erie, Pa.-based Family Eye Care's former business manager has been accused of embezzling over $100,000 from the practice, according to a May 16 report from the Erie Times-News.

Cataract surgeries, surgical retina procedures and glaucoma surgeries are three of seven common outpatient eye surgeries performed at ASCs, according to U.S. News & World Report.

U.S. News & World Report announced its first ratings of the best ambulatory surgery centers on May 14.

Donald Salzberg, MD, an ophthalmologist of Avon, Conn., was sentenced to prison for receiving kickbacks in exchange for ordering unnecessary brain scans.

A bill hearing is underway in the New Hampshire Legislature that would allow optometrists to perform certain minor surgeries in the state, according to a May 10 report from ABC affiliate WMUR.

Here are eight headlines and updates to know on the ophthalmology industry that Becker's has reported on since April 12:

Ophthalmologists have an average annual salary of $343,320 in Hawaii, the best state for healthcare according to U.S. News & World Report. 

Frank Gilroy, MD, an ophthalmologist and founding leader of New York-based United Health Services healthcare system, has died at age 93. 

New York City-based Retinal Ambulatory Surgery Center of New York, which is in the final stages of a larger expansion, has installed its second Johnson & Johnson Vision Catalys FEMTO, according to a May 7 LinkedIn post.

The annual ophthalmology Power List selects and ranks 100 of the nation's best ophthalmologists, choosing its top 20 industry leaders through a panel of judges who consider cutting-edge industry issues, trends and more. 

New York City-based Retinal Ambulatory Surgery Center of New York is in the final stages of its expansion.

New York-based ophthalmologist Francis Gilroy, MD, has died at 93 after practicing in Binghamton for 43 years, according to his April 29 obituary. 

SightMD Pennsylvania acquired an ophthalmology practice in Elkins Park, Pa.

Ophthalmologists have the highest annual mean wage in offices of physicians, according to updated data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC School of Medicine resident Davis Anugo, MD, died in a car crash in Sanford, N.C., on April 20, according to an April 22 report from ABC 11.

Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Medicine is building a multi-center outpatient facility with surgical suites for the WVU Eye Institute, according to an April 22 report by WVNews.