Ophthalmology practice agrees to $525,000 penalty

FORT MYERS — To resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, Eye Centers of Florida has agreed to pay a penalty of $525,000 to the United States. The agreement settles charges that the ophthalmology practice knowingly falsified medical records in order to bill for cataract surgeries on patients that would not have otherwise qualified for the surgery. The settlement was announced by United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez.

Founded in 1971, Eye Centers of Florida has 11 offices in Southwest Florida, with the main clinic in Fort Myers. It is owned by Dr. David Brown.