(866) 865-2020
For 40 years, The Eye Associates has been a leading innovator in cataract surgery, and continues to offer the most advanced surgical technology available with the Alcon LenSx Laser. Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery automates the most challenging steps of cataract surgery, making it more precise, more accurate, more gentle, and it can even correct astigmatism. Combining that with our skilled and seasoned surgical team, Dr. Robert Friedman, Dr. Cathleen McCabe and Dr. Brian Foster, and Dr. Bradley O’Neill, our patients in Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton, Ellenton, and Sun City can relax knowing that they have chosen the most technologically advanced option for cataract surgery.
60,000 Plus Cataract Surgeries Performed
Dr. Robert Friedman, Dr. Cathleen McCabe, Dr. Brian Foster, and Dr. Bradley O’Neill have performed a collective 60,000+ cataract surgeries, giving them the expertise and experience to custom design a treatment plan that is individually tailored for each patient. With national awards like Castle Connolly Top Doctor, Premier Surgeon 300, as well as local community chosen awards like Best Ophthalmologists, The Eye Associates’ cataract surgeons have always been the choice for premier cataract care.
Robert S. Friedman, MD, FACS received his medical degree from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science/Chicago Medical School in 1987 where he received the Dean's Award for Service to the School, and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Following medical school, Dr. Friedman completed an internship at the Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, a residency at the Louisiana State University Eye Center and subsequently, a glaucoma fellowship at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Dr. Friedman’s areas of specialty include glaucoma management, glaucoma surgery, and Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery including toric and high-tech lifestyle implants. He stays active within the medical community as a member of both the Sarasota County Medical Society and the Florida Medical Association. He has also been appointed as Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine since 2005, and as Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine since 2006. He enjoys teaching and educating medical students.
Cathleen McCabe, MD is one of the foremost eye surgeons practicing today and is a vital asset to The Eye Associates' team. After Dr. McCabe received her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, she went on to her residency training at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami’s School of Medicine.
Dr. McCabe specializes in Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery, Clear Lens Replacement and LASIK, and has performed over 40,000 surgeries. Dr. McCabe continues to receive many prestigious and esteemed awards for her work in Ophthalmology, including being named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 for Ophthalmology. Castle Connolly has also selected Dr. McCabe for the first-ever Exceptional Women In Medicine Award for 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. Dr. McCabe was named in the Premier Surgeon 300 List as a Premier Surgeon innovator for refractive surgery and was in the recent past also on the Premier Surgeon 250 List as a leading innovator in premium IOL cataract surgery.
Dr. Foster received his medical degree from the Emory University School of Medicine where he then completed his medical internship. Dr. Foster went on to an Ophthalmology Residency at Wake Forest University Eye Center and received his fellowship training in cornea and external disease at the prestigious Eye Consultants of Atlanta. During the fellowship, he performed several hundred corneal transplants, in addition to cataract surgery and LASIK.
Dr. Foster is experienced in Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery, Clear Lens Replacement, and modern corneal transplantation including DSAEK for Fuch’s Endothelial Dystrophy, DALK for keratoconus, and LASIK. He has treated many patients in Sarasota and Sun City for glaucoma. He also has an interest in dry eye treatment and recently published a chapter on Dry Eye in Ocular Surface Disease, a well-respected textbook.
Dr. O’Neill is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist with advanced subspecialty training in Cataract/Refractive surgery. He will be providing Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery as well as LASIK surgery at The Eye Associates. He is committed to providing the best outcomes to his patients by utilizing the latest technology.
Dr. O’Neill went to the University of South Florida for his bachelor’s degree, and then continued to Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine for his doctorate degree, where he graduated with honors. He then went to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine for his internship and residency where he served as the Chief Resident and received much of his instruction from the world-renowned faculty of Wills Eye Hospital. Continuing his training, he did his fellowship in cataracts and refractive surgery at The Eye Institute of West Florida!
The only way to treat a cataract is to remove the cloudy lens (called a cataract) and replace it with a clear artificial Intraocular Lens Implants (called an IOL). Restoration of vision is accomplished every day through the miracle of cataract surgery. In fact, cataract surgery is one of the most often performed surgeries today. It is considered to be one of the safest and most successful surgeries performed in the US.
schedule an appointmentThe Eye Associates are pleased to offer laser cataract surgery with Alcon's LenSx® laser. This laser revolutionizes cataract surgery with unparalleled precision and customization. This cutting-edge technology integrates computer control into crucial steps of the procedure, offering cataract patients the most advanced surgical option available.
No-stitch cataract surgery offers quick recovery with reduced discomfort and improved vision without the need for stitches. By creating a small incision on the edge of the cornea, our cataract surgeons can remove the cataract and place the IOL without the need for stitches. The area will heal and seal naturally, reducing discomfort and irritation sometimes caused by stitches.
With topical anesthetics, you can now have cataract surgery without going under anesthesia. This method eliminates discomfort and anxiety associated with needles.
schedule an appointment“Thank you, Eye Associates, for having such an amazing staff. I cannot give enough praise to Dr. Han for taking such good care of me and for referring me to Dr. McCabe for my cataract surgery. Dr. McCabe is the “Wonder Woman” of cataract surgery. I have had both of my eyes done and the results are truly, truly amazing. I cannot believe the difference in my eyesight! Thank you seems like such a small thing to say to such an AWESOME doctor. The entire stage at all of the offices are truly professional and caring group of special people.”
-Donna
"I vetted 30 surgeons before selecting Dr. Foster for my cataract/IOL surgeries. Having had a career in ophthalmology myself, I knew what to look for in a practice in order to feel comfortable with my decision: timely appointment, almost aseptic bathrooms, waiting areas, and office, state-of-the-art equipment, and a staff that was welcoming, friendly, efficient, and professional. Your practice met all of my criteria, I am most happy, Dr. Foster is the best - well there just aren't enough superlatives!"
-Elizabeth
"I would like to take this opportunity to tell you how wonderful I think Dr. Friedman has been at The Eye Associates. He is caring, competent and efficient. It has been, if it can be said when you have a medical problem, a real pleasure dealing with him. I sing his praises to all I come in contact with."
-James
"The Eye Associates has some of the most efficient, nice and caring medical workers I've ever come across. I've worked in the medical field for a long time and I promise to you, you have got to be ONE OF THE NICEST DOCTORS IVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING: Doctor O'Neill. Only one day after my surgery, I could see the most vibrant colors and it's like when it rains and it makes the air so clean. I told Doctor O'Neill if HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE THAT I WANT TO GO. Thank you Doctor for your knowledge, your steady hands that GOD gave you, and your bedside manner, and let's not forget how handsome you are (hehe). Thank you from my heart. Please people, take care of those cataracts !!!!"
-Sandy