About Us

Ben Hasty, M.D.  - Advanced Eye Care

Advanced Eye Care is a 8,000 square foot state of the art facility providing comprehensive medical and surgical services to meet all of your eye care needs. Advanced Eye Care is staffed by JCAHPO certified ophthalmic personnel, licensed opticians, and a board-certified ophthalmologist and optometrist. The entire staff of Advanced Eye Care is specially trained, highly experienced, and committed to the highest level of patient care and clinical excellence. By setting high standards and creating a patient centered environment, Advanced Eye Care helps enhance each patient's clinical experience.

Advanced Eye Care provides multiple layers of services from routine eye examinations to complex subspecialty care. LASIK (excimer laser) refractive surgery is available in the office at Advanced Eye Care. Through the Northwest Florida Surgery Center, state-of-the-art cataract surgery, specialty glaucoma surgery, functional, and cosmetic lid surgeries are all available.

Conveniently located on a major thoroughfare, 2500 West 23rd Street, Panama City, Advanced Eye Care has a complete line of high tech equipment, including Argon and YAG lasers, elevation topography, complete photography, OCT scanner for retina and optic nerve analysis and Excimer laser refractive surgery.

Dr. Ben Hasty received medical training at St. Louis University, University of California San Francisco, Stanford University, University of Florida Gainesville, and University of Southern California. Dr. Hasty served as a visiting clinical professor at the University of Southern California and as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery/Ophthalmology at F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine. Dr. Hasty has also held a full time teaching staff position at the Ophthalmology Residency Training program at the San Diego Naval Hospital, California.

Dr. Hasty is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, as well as being certified in cataract and lens implant surgery by the American Board of Eye Surgery. Dr. Hasty has completed an additional year of glaucoma specialty fellowship training at the University of Southern California. Dr. Hasty served 12 years in the United States Navy as both an ophthalmologist and as a Naval Flight Surgeon with the United States Marine Corps.

The Optical Shoppe

Preparing your glasses from a prescription is a more complicated process than you might imagine. Should we use the standard CR-39 material or a new ultra-light, ultra-thin plastic (polycarbonate or high index)? Should they be tinted or a TransitionTM photochromatic lens that darkens in the sun? Should they have a bifocal 28 millimeters wide, 35 millimeters wide, or a progressive "no line" multifocal (Varilux comfort, Hoya GP wide) lens? How about anti-reflective coating for glare or polarization if you're on the water often?

All of these things, and many others, are determined by our well trained, certified, licensed optician. The choice of a frame needs to fit you in fashion and function (plastic, metal, wire frame). We have over 1000 frames from which to choose on display at Advanced Eye Care (titanium, stainless steel, magnetic clip-on.)

Advanced Eye Care is the only optical dispensary in this area, authorized to sell prescription Oakley glasses and sun glasses. Sunglasses are critical in our bright Florida sunshine. At the Optical Shoppe, you will find your choice of RayBan, CK Sun, Harley-Davidson, Costa Del Mar, Eddie Bauer, Oakley, and many more.

Of course, there are also contact lenses of all types. You will find daily disposable, 2-week disposable, frequent replacement, and toric lenses for astigmatism (Ciba, Acuvue, Bausch & Lomb, and others.)

You may even fax your current contact lens prescription to the Optical Shoppe at Advanced Eye Care at (850) 784-3539. We provide this option to fulfill your eye care needs as easily and conveniently as possible.

The Optical Shoppe at Advanced Eye Care is a full service optical dispensary staffed by a Board Certified/Florida Licensed Optician, available to provide for your complete eye care needs. Come visit our professional, well-trained staff and let us "change the way you see the world!"

We are an eye care practice devoted to enhancing and correcting your eyesight by using state-of-the-art technology that will result in better vision, and a better quality of life.

High Standards

A standard of excellence in personalized care enables us to provide the quality eye care services that our patients deserve.  We provide comprehensive treatment planning and follow strict standards that ensure your treatment or surgery will go smoothly and provide you with the results you desire.

Education & Experience

As a practice, we are true believers that excellence in performing all eye procedures is derived from both education and experience.  We strive to keep current on the latest techniques and standards so we can provide our patients with the safest treatments and procedures with the most optimal results.  That’s why we focus on thorough exams – checking your total health before performing any procedures.  We also know that surgery, if needed, is never routine, no matter how many thousands of times we have performed such procedures.  We never take for granted that you have placed a great deal of confidence in us.  For this reason, a review of your medical history and your current health are taken into consideration before we begin any procedure.

Uncompromising Safety

Safety, sterilization and infection control is of utmost importance to us.  To protect our patients and ourselves, we strictly maintain sterilization and safety standards to ensure you are protected at all times.

Training & Expertise

As eye care professionals, we want you to be confident knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians.  We pride ourselves in providing the care you need to keep your eyes healthy and your vision at its best.  To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to continual education and learning.  We regularly attend relative lectures, meetings, and conventions to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and the newest equipment that a modern eye care practice can utilize to perform the latest state-of-the-art procedures.  Also, being members of various professional associations help us to stay abreast of the changes and recommendations for our profession.

A Positive Experience

Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success.  We want your visit to our office to be a positive experience.  Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the excellent, personalized care and service you deserve.  Whatever we can do to make your experience with us more comfortable and pleasant, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

We thank you for allowing us to take care of your eye care needs and look forward to serving you.

Make an appointment today…..we’d love to hear from you!