NASHVILLE, Tenn.—AmSurg, a unit of Envision Healthcare (NYSE: EVHC), late last week announced that it has acquired Horizon Eye Specialists & Lasik Center, an Arizona-based ophthalmology and optical practice. Horizon Eye Specialists’ business units include four practice locations, an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and three optical centers, according to the announcement. AmSurg said the acquisition will allow it to “introduce a new practice partnership model designed for long-term growth.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Horizon Eye’s three optical centers operate under the Sharona Optical name, and the locations are in Scottsdale, downtown Phoenix and Peoria, Ariz. The optical centers are located within Horizon Eye Specialist & LASIK Center offices and are among “the premier optical shops in the Phoenix metro area,” according to the announcement.

“The alignment marks a significant milestone for AmSurg and, in particular, our ophthalmology division,” John Grant, president of ophthalmology for AmSurg, said in the announcement. “Strategic partnerships like this are crucial to improving the delivery of consistent quality eyecare and being a provider patients can trust. Horizon Eye Specialists & Lasik Center embodies our commitment to delivering patient-centered care and upholding high clinical standards. We are thrilled to welcome its expert team of physicians, optometrists and administrative staff to the AmSurg family.”

AmSurg is a national leader in the area of “strategic and operational management of ASCs,” according to the announcement.

Horizon Eye Specialists & Lasik Center operates four locations in the Phoenix metro area as well as the Eye Surgery Center at the Biltmore. The group’s seven physicians and six optometrists provide an array of services, including Lasik eye surgery, cataract surgery, multifocal intraocular lenses and comprehensive eyecare.

AmSurg, which supports physicians by managing and operating their ASCs, has “particular expertise in eye health,” the announcement noted. Its network of providers consists of more than 700 ophthalmologists and optometrists, as well as staff members across more than 75 surgery centers.

“We are thrilled to join AmSurg a nationally recognized leader in ophthalmic care,” Robert McCulloch, MD, medical director and senior cataract surgeon for Horizon Eye Specialists & Lasik Center, said in the announcement. “The partnership will provide us with the support, expertise and resources we need to position our practice for long-term growth and success as we continue to expand our footprint within the Phoenix area.”

Phillip Clendenin, president of AmSurg, said that for more than 30 years AmSurg has “partnered with physician practices to build comprehensive outpatient surgical solutions.”

He added, “In a rapidly changing environment, we seek to be the physician-centric strategic alternative of choice for the entrepreneurial and independent physician practice. Partnering with Horizon Eye Specialists & Lasik Center was a natural fit given our existing presence in the Phoenix area and our common operational philosophy. We strongly believe our shared equity partnership model differentiates us from our competitors and will allow Horizon Eye Specialists & Lasik Center to continue to recruit top clinical talent for years to come.”

In 2017, centers affiliated with AmSurg performed nearly 225,000 eye procedures. AmSurg completed a merger with Envision Healthcare on Dec. 1, 2016, and now operates under the name Envision Healthcare.