Dr. Anthony Cirino celebrates 20 years in Brunswick

BRUNSWICK — Ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon Dr. Anthony Cirino has spent 20 years at his private practice in Brunswick, focused on understanding and listening to his patients. Cirino attended Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in the '90s. He said he wasn't sure what he wanted to specialize in at the time, but asked if he could spend time with an ophthalmologist to familiarize himself with the field. "When I saw him do cataract surgery, I thought the surgery itself was the most amazing thing I think I had seen at that point," he said. "It was seeing the patients with him in the office the next day and what a difference it made. I just thought it was really cool how you can change someone's life in a relatively short time like that and really improve the quality of life." After Cirino finished his residency, he worked for a small practice and then the Cleveland Clinic, but neither felt like a good fit for him. "I worked with some really talented people," he said. "I was busy, and it was good, but I really didn't have any control over the direction of my career." Cirino Eye Center opened 20 years ago. Cirino said he built the private practice from the ground up through word-of-mouth referrals. "The only person I owe is the patient," he said. "I owe them my time and my best effort I can do to take care of them. I have nothing else that I'm beholden to." Staying independent is a challenge, but Cirino believes ophthalmology is one of the fields where it's possible. He said operating a private practice allows for more personal attention and a customized approach for each patient. "Private equity and the consolidation of medical practices and hospitals is kind of the trend now," he said. "The private equity group has no experience in medicine. All they care about is churning them for more profit and reselling them down the road, whereas what I care about is taking care of the person in front of me." Cirino described Brunswick as a great community that has welcomed him since day one. He said Cirino Eye Center is a team effort consisting of great nurses, technicians and other staff members. "I happen to be the one leading it, but it's not me. It's all of us," he said. "I find it most gratifying when you look over the reviews and people mention our staff all the time. I've got the best people I work with, and I've just been very lucky and fortunate in my life to say that." Cirino Eye Center is at 3898 Center Road in Brunswick. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at 330-721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.