Experienced Cataract Eye Surgeon in Florida

Dr. James Gills, the founder and director of St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute, has performed more cataract and lens implant surgeries than any other eye surgeon in the world. Since becoming board certified in 1967 and establishing his Florida practice in 1968, he has been firmly committed to embracing new technology and perfecting the latest cataract surgery techniques. In 1974, he became the first eye surgeon in the U.S. to dedicate his practice to cataract treatment through the use of intraocular lenses.

As a frontrunner in cataract and implant surgery, Dr. Gills' innovations include:

• Intraocular antibiotics to prevent post-surgical infection (1970)
• "No-stitch" cataract surgery (1990)
• Intraocular medicines to reduce inflammation
• Intraocular medicines to prevent needles for anesthesia (1991)
• Fewer eye drops after surgery (2003)

Recognized internationally as a leader in astigmatism correction, Dr. Gills has implanted over 18,000 Toric intraocular lenses - more than any other surgeon in the world. He has also written three medical books on correcting astigmatism.s to correct astigmatism.

Dr. James Gills received his medical degree from Duke University Medical Center in 1959. He served his ophthalmology residency at Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute of Johns Hopkins University from 1962-1965.

Honors and Affiliations

Eye surgeon James Gills has been recognized in Florida and throughout the world for his professional accomplishments and personal commitment to helping others. The following are some of his awards, appointments, and affiliations:

EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL AWARDS

• Elected to the Johns Hopkins Society of Scholars 2007
• Consulting Professor of Ophthalmology - Duke University of Medical Center
• Recipient of the Philip M. Corby Memorial Award and Keynote Speaker at the Hawaiian Eye Meeting, January 2008.
• Awarded the 2005 Duke Medical Alumni Association's Humanitarian Award
• Chosen by his colleagues for inclusion in The Best Doctors in America® 1994-2004 (Copyright 1998 by Woodward/White, Inc. of Aiken, S.C.)
• Received the 2003 distinguished Achievement Award from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Received the Ephraim McDowell Award from the Christian Medical Foundation in 1994
• Named one of the Best Ophthalmologists in America by ophthalmic academic leaders nationwide in 1996
• Received the 1996 Innovator's Award from the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery
• Serves as a clinical professor of ophthalmology at the University of South Florida
• Earned the American Academy of Ophthalmology Service Certificate in recognition of outstanding contributions to the profession
• 1997 recipient of the Society of Excellence in Eyecare James Loden Award for years of significant and outstanding service to ophthalmology
• Recipient of University Distinguished Achievement Award, 2003,Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Endowed four chairs in medicine: a "superchair" at the University of South Florida, two at Johns Hopkins University, and one at Duke University Medical Center
• Named to Duke University Medical Center's Board of Visitors and to the Advisory Board of Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute
• Member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Duke Chapter
• First Tom Landry Lifetime Award - Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Received the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine's Distinguished Medical Alumnus Award, 2007
• Recipient of the Visionary Award - Foundation Fighting Blindness 2009

BUSINESS AWARDS

• Listed in Marquis Who's Who in Americ, 1988, 1990, 1998
• 1990 - Entrepreneur of the Year - State of Florida
• 1993 - Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame
• 1995 - Tampa Bay Ethics Award - University of Tampa
• 2000 - Florida Enterprise Medal - Merchants Association of Florida
• 2000 - Humanitarian of the Year - Golda Mier/Kent Jewish Center
• 2000 - Free Enterpriser of the Year - Florida Council on Economic Education
• 2001 - "Others" Award - The Salvation Army
• 2003 - Lifetime Achievement Award - Somebody Cares Tampa Bay
• 2004 - Innovator of the Year - West Pasco, Florida
• 2005 – Rotary Centennial Service Award for Professional Excellence
• 2006 - Chosen by the readers of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today as one of the top 50 cataract and refractive opinion leaders
• 2007 - Frederick E. Fisher Humanitarian Award
• 2008 - Legacy Award - Lifework Leadership Tampa Bay

APPOINTMENTS

• Elected to the Board of Directors of the American College of Eye Surgeons -1996
• Duke University Medical Center's Board of Visitors
• Advisory Board of Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute at John Hopkins University
• Consulting Professor at Duke University

OTHER PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Aid for International Medicine, Inc.
• American Academy of Medical Ethics
• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• American College of Eye Surgeons
• American Medical Association
• American Society of Outpatient Surgeons
• Christian Medical Foundation
• Florida Medical Association
• Florida Society of Ophthalmology
• International Intra-Ocular Implant Club
• International Eye Foundation, Society of Eye Surgeons
• International Kerato-Refractive Club
• Johns Hopkins University Alumni
• Johns Hopkins Wilmer Residents Association
• Research to Prevent Blindness
• Society for Excellence in Eye care
• Society of Geriatric Ophthalmology

PUBLICATIONS

Dr. James Gills has published ten medical textbooks (four of which were best sellers at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meetings):

• Surgical Treatment of Astigmatism
• Ophthalmic Anesthesia
• Small-Incision Cataract Surgery
• Biological Response Modifiers for Ophthalmic Tissue Repair
• Corneal Topography (Contributing Author)
• Sutureless Cataract Surgery
• An Atlas of Corneal Topography
• Cataract Surgery - State of the Art
• A Complete Surgical Guide for Correcting Astigmatism
• A Complete Surgical Guide for Correcting Astigmatism (Second Edition)

Dr. Gills has also written more than 195 medical reference journal articles as well as twenty books dealing with Christian principles and physical fitness.

Click Within This Gallery For a Description Of The Books and Pamphlets

Love Press is the publishing outreach of St. Luke's Cataract & Laser Institute in Tarpon Springs, Florida, founded by James Gills, MD. Because of Dr. Gills' belief in ministering not only to people's eyes, but to their whole being, St. Luke's has gifted its patients with his inspirational books since 1985. In 1990, Dr. Gills' ministry acquired the name of Love Press. Having become predominantly a prison ministry, over 6 million books have been distributed to 2,000 jails and prisons within all fifty states. If you would like to partner in this vital ministry, a gift of any amount would be greatly appreciated.

FAMILY

Married in 1962, Dr. Gills and his wife Heather have raised two children, Shea and Pit. Shea Gills Grundy, a former attorney and now full-time mom, is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Emory Law School. She and husband Shane Grundy, MD have four children: twins, Maggie and Braddock, Jimmy, and Lily Grace. The Gills' son, J. Pit Gills, MD, ophthalmologist, received his medical degree from Duke University Medical Center and in 2001 joined St. Luke's staff. "Dr. Pit" is married to Joy Gills. They have three children: Pitzer, Parker, and Stokes.

To undergo surgery with world-renowned eye surgeon James Gills, contact our Tampa, Florida practice today.

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