CHICAGO—Midwest Vision Partners (MVP) has announced a new partnership with Eye Centers of Ohio (ECO), which is based in Canton, Ohio. The terms of the partnership transaction were not disclosed. This represents MVP’s 11th partnership as it continues to “build out its people-focused eyecare management services organization with leading ophthalmologists and optometrists throughout the Midwest,” according to the announcement earlier this week. The addition of Eye Centers of Ohio broadens the MVP network to more than 110 physicians and more than 1,000 support staff serving 51 locations across Michigan and Ohio. MVP is backed by Alpine Investors, a San Francisco-based private equity firm focused primarily on software and services businesses.

For nearly 100 years, Eye Centers of Ohio and its forerunners have been serving the residents of northeast Ohio with top quality eyecare. Eye Centers of Ohio was formed in 1997 following the merger of Canton Eye Center, Eye Surgeons of Stark County, and the Stark County Eye Clinic—the oldest, most established, and trusted eyecare practices in Stark County, according to the announcement.

The practice has grown during that time to two clinics and an ambulatory surgery center, supported by over 70 employees. ECO has built its reputation offering comprehensive care for cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cornea, laser vision correction and other services, the announcement noted.

“We are excited and proud to join Midwest Vision Partners,” ECO’s Dr. Paul Turgeon said. Turgeon is a board-certified ophthalmologist and medical director for the Institute for Refractive & Intraocular Surgery Center. “Midwest Vision Partners represents an outstanding team of the best and brightest eyecare providers in the Great Lakes region,” he added. “Partnering with MVP will provide access to a wide range of resources that will enable us to continue to offer our patients the world-class eyecare that they have come to expect and deserve.”

Joseph Giles, MVP’s president and chief executive officer, said the management organization was pleased to partner with Drs. Turgeon, Larry Karns, Jerry Macher and Mike Smit. “They have built the premier practice in the Greater Canton region, and we look forward to collaborating with them to extend patient care and access,” Giles added.