Dr. Maida Reaches No-Stitch Cataract Surgery Milestone in 2020
In 2020, Dr. Maida will reach a special milestone in his practice. It has been 30 years since he performed the very first no-stitch cataract surgery in Florida. This technique made it possible to perform cataract surgery without the need for sutures and without injecting anesthesia behind the eye. That meant patients spent less time in surgery, with reduced stress, discomfort, and risk of complications. It also improved the safety and likelihood of surgery success.
This achievement is just one of many over the course of Dr. Maida’s revolutionary career. In addition to performing many first-of-a-kind surgeries, he has performed over 22,000 laser procedures and 37,000 eye surgeries overall. To celebrate this milestone, we look back on some of the ways Dr. Maida has shaped the field of Florida eye care.
A Legacy of Innovation
1977 – Helped pioneer outpatient cataract surgery and lens implantation.
1979 – One of the first in Florida to perform phaco with a posterior chamber lens implant.
1981 – First in Florida to perform a YAG laser capsulotomy to restore a patient’s vision.
1989 – First in Florida (sixth in the U.S.) to use a Summit Excimer Laser.
1990 – First in Florida to perform no-stitch cataract surgery.
1996 – First in Northeast Florida to perform the LASIK procedure.
2000 – First in Jacksonville to acquire the Autonomous Tracking Laser.
2002 – Only surgeon in Northeast Florida selected to offer conductive keratoplasty, “CK.” First in Florida to utilize Wavefront technology in a private practice setting.
2003 – First in Florida to utilize IntraLase® all-laser LASIK in combination with LADARvision Wavefront technology.
Dr. Maida’s Educational Achievements
Dr. Maida has two graduate degrees—one from medical school and another from the Wharton School of Business. Due to his academic achievements, he was admitted to medical school in his third year of college without a diploma. In the late 1960s, Dr. Maida was awarded a fellowship to serve as a medical missionary in the Bush of Tanzania as one of the doctors for 300,000 Africans. While his cataract practice was performing over 1,000 surgeries per year, Dr. Maida began studying to earn his second graduate degree from Wharton in 1992. That same year, he also went on to start an international refractive surgery company with locations in the United States, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.
Florida Eye Specialists: Pioneers in Eye Care
For almost 50 years, the dedicated eye care specialists at Florida Eye Specialists have been pioneers in new eye treatments, setting the standard for eye care in Florida. Our team is committed to advancing ophthalmology and ensuring better, safer outcomes for patients. That starts by prioritizing new research to improve patients’ lives. The board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians at Florida Eye Specialists are regularly engaged in clinical trials, including FDA studies for glaucoma devices and medications, and cataract surgery implants.
The management teams at our offices also embrace modern techniques to improve the patient experience, from efficient scheduling to safe outpatient practices. After decades of firsts, Florida Eye Specialists continues to grow and remain on the cutting edge of new technology, implementing new diagnostics, techniques, and surgeries.
To book an appointment, call (904) 564-2020, or fill out a contact form to receive a same-day call.