Our Team of Experienced Doctors

Dr. Jason Handza is a board-certified Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon offering a range of retinal treatments here at Gulfcoast Eye Care. Fellowship-trained in vitreoretinal surgery, Dr. Handza is a specialist in retinal diseases and conditions including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment.

Dr. Handza earned his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, graduating with honors. He later completed his fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery at the University of South Florida Eye Institute, training under some of the leading experts in retinal surgery and ophthalmology.

Dr. Handza has participated in a variety of research studies focusing on retinal treatments. He recently served as a Co-Investigator for a study on Lucentis®, a treatment for a condition known as “wet” macular degeneration.

Dr. Brenda Liffland is a Board-Certified Optometrist who specializes in medical eye care as well as evaluation for glasses and contact lenses. She is certified to provide pre- and post-operative refractive surgery care and has additional expertise in treating glaucoma and dry eye disease. Providing quality eye care in the Tampa area since 2008, Dr. Liffland sees patients in our Palm Harbor office.

Dr. Liffland received her Doctorate of Optometry (OD) from Nova Southeastern University. She has been honored with the Alcon Glaucoma Service Award of Excellence and has been selected as a member of the Beta Kappa Sigma International Optometric Honor Society. Before focusing her career on eye care, Dr. Liffland served as a Clinical Trials Coordinator with the Hematology department of H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute.

Dr. Lydia Luther is a board certified optometrist, specializing in comprehensive eye exams, providing patients with precise vision prescriptions, and diagnosing and treating a variety of degenerative eye conditions. She also provides patients with pre and post-operative care for vision correction and cataract surgery. Dr. Luther’s top priority is to give her patients compassionate, community-centric care. She enjoys improving her patients’ quality of life by providing vision and eye health solutions that meet their needs as comfortably and conveniently as possible, all while giving them a personalized experience. She especially enjoys prescribing eyewear for kids and treating dry eye. She joined the Gulfcoast Eye Care team in 2020 and cares for patients in our Pinellas Park office.

Dr. Luther earned her Doctorate of Optometry (OD) from the Southern College of Optometry in 2019. During her schooling, she was an active member of the Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Professionals Club. She has experience working in a variety of health care settings, from hospitals to nursing homes and private clinics.

Dr. Thanh Nguyen is a board-certified optometrist with extensive experience in medical eye care, emergency eye care, and eyewear evaluations. He provides comprehensive services ranging from disease diagnosis and treatment to contact lens and glasses fittings. Patients value his clinical skill, calm demeanor, and clear commitment to helping them achieve better vision and long-term eye health.

After earning two degrees from the University of West Florida, Dr. Nguyen completed his Doctor of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University. He then pursued an ocular disease residency at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in collaboration with the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University, one of the nation’s top eye care institutions.

Dr. Karen Lin is a dedicated optometrist specializing in comprehensive eye care, including the management of dry eye, pre- and post-operative care for cataract and refractive surgeries, and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and diabetic retinopathy. She has advanced training in the evaluation and fitting of multifocal and scleral contact lenses, enabling her to provide customized vision solutions for patients with complex needs.

Joining the Gulfcoast Eye Care team in August 2024, Dr. Lin sees patients in our St. Petersburg office. She is committed to delivering personalized, compassionate care that improves her patients’ vision and overall quality of life. Her approach centers on understanding each patient’s unique needs and providing eye health solutions that are both comfortable and convenient.