Neil T. Shmunes, M.D.
Dr. Shmunes, a Jacksonville native, attended Oxford College of Emory University where he received his Associate of Arts degree and the University of Georgia where he received his Bachelor of Science degree and was inducted into the Psi Chi Honor Society. Dr. Shmunes completed his master’s degree work, enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Neurophysiology at the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a Research Fellow at Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Shmunes graduated summa cum laude from the Medical College of Georgia in 1981, was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and received the Lange Medical Publication Award. He served as Chief Resident in Ophthalmology at the Medical College of Georgia Hospitals and Clinics.
Since entering private practice in Jacksonville in 1985, Dr. Shmunes has been Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Department of Surgery, Chairman/Section of Ophthalmology and on the Board of Directors for Baptist Medical Center-Beaches. He has been an Ophthalmologic Consultant for the Joslin Diabetes Clinic, the PRO Reviewer in Ophthalmology for Northeast Florida and has been a Clinical Instructor in Ophthalmology for the University of Florida Medical School. Dr. Shmunes has subspecialty training in oculoplastic surgery and has been performing refractive surgery since 1985. He is a clinical investigator in glaucoma drug research studies and donates cataract surgery to the community through the Gift of Sight Program.
Dr. Shmunes is Board-Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Florida Society of Ophthalmology, (past Regional President), American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Duval County Society of Ophthalmology (past President) and the Duval County Medical Society.
Richard L. Simmons, M.D.
Dr. Simmons was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He received his Bachelor of Science degree Cum Laude from Indiana University and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine. Dr. Simmons completed his medical internship at Shands Hospital in Gainesville and served as a Research Fellow in Ophthalmology at the University of Florida School of Medicine where he completed his residency in Ophthalmology. Dr. Simmons was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor American Medical Association from 1981 to the present.
Since entering private practice in Jacksonville, Dr. Simmons has served as Chief/Section of Ophthalmology at St. Vincent’s Hospital and as Clinical Professor or Ophthalmology for the University of Florida Medical School. He was recognized by “Leadership Jacksonville” in 1985. Dr. Simmons is a clinical investigator in glaucoma drug research Studies and has been performing refractive surgery since 1983. He donates cataract surgery to the community through the Gift of Sight Program.
Dr. Simmons is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the Florida Medical Association, American Medical Association, Florida Society of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Duval County Society of Ophthalmology (past President), Duval County Medical Society and the Society to Prevent Blindness.
Charles V. Duss, M.D. 
Dr. Duss, a Jacksonville native, returns home to join the team at Atlantic Eye Institute. He received his Bachelor of Science degree, Graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame. He then attended the University of South Florida College of Medicine where he received his Doctor of Medicine and graduated in the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society. Dr. Duss completed a medical internship at Mount Sinai Hospital Miami Beach, and then completed his residency training in Ophthalmology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey.
Dr. Duss joins the Atlantic Eye Institute after extensive training in cataract, glaucoma, refractive and plastic surgery techniques. His research activities include the latest in new plastic surgery techniques, treatment of glaucoma patients, and management of corneal disease. He is board eligible for the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the association for research in Vision Organization, and the American Medical Association.
C. Steven Lancaster, O.D.
Dr. Lancaster was born in Chicago, Illinois and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University in Tallahassee, being noted in Who’s Who Among Students there. He received his Bachelor of Visual Science and a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Illinois College of Optometry where he was a Beta Sigma Kappa Honor Student, Student Body President, received the American Optometric Foundation Research Award, was elected to Gold Key International Optometric Honorary Society and was again noted in Who’s Who Among Students.
Dr. Lancaster entered private practice in Tallahassee, Florida in 1980. Since entering private practice, Dr. Lancaster has served as President and Vice-President of the Northwest Florida Optometric Association, Chairman of Assistance to Graduates and Undergraduates of the Florida Optometric Association and as the Optometric Coordinator of the Leon County Project Insight. He has also served as a State of Florida Optometric Board Examiner and on the Education Committee of the Southern Council of Optometry. Dr. Lancaster has been a Board Member of the Children’s Miracle Network as well as has lectured internationally on topic including contact lenses, ocular disease and refractive surgical care. He has served as clinical investigator in contact lenses and drug research studies and has been a member o the Southern Council of Optometry since 1984.
Dr. Lancaster joined Atlantic Eye Institute in 1999. He brings to this practice his skill in primary eye care and ocular disease, the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and the pre- and post- surgical care of cataract, glaucoma and refractive surgery patients. He is a widely recognized authority in the fitting of all types of contact lenses and in the treatment of dry eye syndrome. Dr. Lancaster is also certified in Corneal Refractive Therapy.
