GULFCOAST EYE CARE
Ophthalmologist in St. Petersburg, FL
LASIK & Surgical Eye Care in St. Petersburg
From navigating busy streets to enjoying sunsets along the waterfront, clear sight affects how confidently and comfortably you move through life. At our St. Petersburg office, Gulfcoast Eye Care provides advanced surgical solutions, including LASIK and cataract surgery, along with dry eye treatment, comprehensive eye exams, and glasses and contact lens services tailored to your needs.
Our board-certified ophthalmologists and optometrists focus on helping you achieve meaningful results, not just completing procedures. We take time to explain your options, outline what to expect during recovery, and help you understand how your vision may improve so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Gulfcoast Eye Care - St. Petersburg:
Location Hours:
Monday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
MEET OUR
St. Petersburg Eye Doctors
Dr. Handza
Vitreoretinal Surgery, Retinal Disease and Conditions Specialist
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. Lin
Board Certified Optometrist
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.
Dr. Manning
Ophthalmologist & Surgical Vision Correction Specialist
Dr. Manning is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and the World College of Refractive Surgery & Visual Sciences (WCRS). He is renowned for his expertise in surgical vision correction and cataract surgery. In addition to leading the Gulfcoast Eye Care team as its CEO, he has previously acted as the primary cataract and vision correction surgeon for TLC Laser Eye Center. He’s dedicated his career to improving his patients’ vision, especially patients with serious or debilitating eye conditions.
Dr. Manning takes an active role in advancing the field of ophthalmology and has been a pioneer in bringing new vision correction techniques to the great Tampa Bay area including numerous corrective lens implants used with cataract surgery as well as advanced vision correction procedures such as SMILE laser vision correction (also referred to as LALEX, Laser Assisted Lenticule Extraction), Refractive Lens Exchange, and ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens).
Our Eye Care Services in St. Petersburg:
We provide complete eye care in one convenient St. Petersburg location.
Our services include:
Laser Vision Correction:
LASIK, SMILE, and PRK performed using advanced all-laser systems. Many patients choose laser vision correction to reduce dependence on glasses and contacts and to enjoy greater freedom in daily life.
Cataract Surgery:
Modern cataract surgery removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear implant. Patients often notice brighter colors, improved night driving, and sharper detail. Custom lens options reduce the need for glasses after eye surgery.
Dry Eye Treatment:
In-office therapies, such as MiBo Thermoflo, address the underlying causes of dry eye symptoms. Treatment can reduce burning, fluctuating vision, and irritation that interfere with reading or screen use.
Medical Eye Care:
Diagnosis and management of glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal disease. Early detection and consistent follow-up protect long-term eye health.
Oculofacial Surgery:
Procedures such as blepharoplasty can improve eyelid function when excess skin interferes with vision.
Annual Exams and Eyewear:
Comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and glasses for patients of all ages. Routine eye exams help detect changes early and keep prescriptions accurate.
PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE
Insurance and Financing Options
We accept Medicare and most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Tricare, and UnitedHealthcare. While we do not accept Medicaid, Freedom, or WellCare, many patients combine Medicare and secondary coverage.
For routine eye exams and eyewear, we work with vision plans such as EyeMed. For elective procedures, including LASIK and premium lens implants, financing options are available through CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit. Many patients also use HSA or FSA funds to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Our team reviews your benefits and explains costs clearly before any procedure is scheduled.
PROUDLY SERVING
Proudly Serving St. Petersburg & Nearby Areas
Our Palm Harbor office proudly serves Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, East Lake, Ozona, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Holiday, and surrounding neighborhoods.
From the Pinellas Trail to the Gulf beaches, we help patients enjoy everything this community has to offer with clear, comfortable vision.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
To Our St. Petersburg Eye Care Clinic
You can easily reach our centrally located office from neighborhoods throughout the St. Petersburg area.
From the north:
Take I-275 S and exit at 22nd Ave N. Stay left at the fork and turn left onto 22nd Ave N. After 0.4 miles, turn right onto 16th St N. Continue for just under a mile, then turn left onto 9th Ave N. The office will be ahead on your left.
From the northwest:
Head east on 5th Ave N toward 45th St N. Turn left at US-19/34th St N. After passing Fray’s Donut House, turn right onto 9th Ave N. Drive 1.5 miles and look for our office on the left.
Your eyes deserve expert care. Schedule your consultation today at Gulfcoast Eye Care in St. Petersburg!