A Legacy of

Vision Care Excellence.

Your Vision Deserves Our Focus

Are You a Candidate for Cataract Surgery? Start the Cataract Self-Test to Find Out Today!

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens. The lens is responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images.

When we’re young the lens is clear but as we age, it begins to harden and become cloudy. The cloudy lens diminishes quality of vision. Common symptoms of cataracts are:

Glare Around Lights

Cataract Lens Options

When planning your cataract surgery, your doctor will discuss the different intraocular lenses available to achieve your visual goals. Our surgeons use the most advanced lens technology available, and will work with you to ensure that you receive the lens best suited to your specific needs.

astigmatism reduction vision

Lifestyle Vision

Lifestyle Vision offers the greatest versatility in your vision and is designed to help you achieve the greatest independence from glasses possible, to see clearly up close and at a distance. Our surgeons will recommend a High Technology lens best suited to your needs.

astigmatism reduction vision

Astigmatism Reduction

This option is designed to reduce the blurring effects of astigmatism. Patients who choose astigmatism reduction will enjoy sharper vision as a result of state-of-the-art intraocular lenses and/or surgical astigmatism reduction techniques specially designed to minimize astigmatism, along with bladeless cataract surgery for appropriate candidates. Glasses will still be needed to optimize vision.

standard vision

Standard Vision

This option includes standard cataract surgery and a single focus intraocular lens implant. These lenses will improve overall clarity. Glasses will still be needed to optimize vision.

About Us

Our Doctors

Pit Gills, MD

Pit Gills, MD

Pit Gills, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract and refractive surgery. Dr. Gills completed both his medical internship and residency in ophthalmology at the University of South Florida in Tampa followed by a cornea fellowship at St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute. Having already performed more than 65,000 cataract surgeries, Dr. Gills is one of the most accomplished surgeons in his field.

Kimberly Ireland, MD

Kimberly Ireland, MD

Kimberly Ireland, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in advanced laser cataract surgery. She is the Medical Director of St. Luke’s at The Villages. For Dr. Ireland, practicing ophthalmology offers her the opportunity to improve the lives of her patients, which she considers an honor and a privilege. She is committed to supporting community programs and serving those less fortunate. Dr. Ireland’s commitment to excellence is pervasive throughout her practice.

Robert M. Lee, MD

Robert M. Lee, MD

Robert M. Lee, MD is a highly experienced, board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in refractive cataract surgery. Having performed well over 50,000 cataract surgeries, Dr. Lee strives to obtain a personalized visual outcome for each of his patients. His commitment to precision and patient satisfaction has earned him recognition as a leading expert in refractive cataract surgery.

Brandon Rodriguez, MD

Brandon Rodriguez, MD

Brandon Rodriguez, MD, is a board certified, award-winning ophthalmologist specializing in advanced cataract and refractive surgery. His advanced training and experience in cataract surgery, LASIK & PRK, pterygium surgery and in cutting-edge treatments for dry eye syndrome have resulted in him serving on numerous medical advisory boards for several pharmaceutical companies throughout the United States. He is also a cornea trained surgeon, who specializes in pterygium surgery and cutting edge treatments for dry eye syndrome.

Jeffrey Wipfli, MD,

Jeffrey Wipfli, MD

Jeffrey Wipfli, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in advanced cataract surgery, and other refractive surgeries. As one of the most experienced eye surgeons in his field, Dr. Wipfli can advise patients on the full range of surgical and lens options available to best address their needs and accomplish their vision goals. He has performed more than 40,000 cataract surgeries in his career.
What is the difference between Vision in a Healthy eye and one with a Cataract?

In a healthy eye, light enters the eye through the cornea, passes through the natural crystalline lens, and is accurately focused onto the retina, resulting in a crisp, clear image. As the eye ages and develops a cataract, the lens becomes cloudier, causing less light to pass through. The light that does not make it to the retina is diffused or scattered, causing vision to become unfocused and blurry.

In traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon uses a scalpel to make a small incision in order to remove the cataract. They may then break the lens into smaller pieces with an ultrasonic device to remove it from the eye. After the lens is removed, they will insert a new intraocular lens (IOL) into the eye.

Choosing the most skilled and experience cataract surgeon is imperative, as your vision is one of your most precious senses. It is important that you discuss your lifestyle and visual goals with your surgeon as you partner together to maximize results. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always happy to help answer your questions about cataract surgery and explain your options based on your lifestyle and unique visual goals. Take the next step and call us at (813)–278 –6477 to schedule your cataract surgery consultation today!

In a healthy eye, light enters the eye through the cornea, passes through the natural crystalline lens, and is accurately focused onto the retina, resulting in a crisp, clear image. As the eye ages and develops a cataract, the lens becomes cloudier, causing less light to pass through. The light that does not make it to the retina is diffused or scattered, causing vision to become unfocused and blurry.

Cataract Surgery FAQs

Financing

If you have cataracts, cost should never be something that stands in the way of having them removed and improving your vision. Choose the vision you want without letting cost dictate your visual outcomes.

We’re pleased to accept the CareCredit credit card, North America’s leading patient healthcare financing program. CareCredit offers special financing for healthcare procedures not commonly covered by insurance, including premium lenses.

Our Locations

501 S. Fort Harrison Ave
Clearwater, FL 33756
187 Mariner Boulevard
Spring Hill, FL 34609
9400 9th Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
13303 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
1050 Old Camp Road, STE 230
The Villages, FL 32162
2955 Brownwood Blvd. Suite 303
Wesley Chapel, FL 32163
25232 State Road 54
Lutz, FL 33559

Request a Cataract Evaluation Today!

Discuss your visual goals with your cataract surgeon at your Cataract Evaluation and find out which lenses or techniques may be best for you.

© St. Luke’s Cataract & Laser Institute 2025 all rights reserved.