Ophthalmology involves the treatment of the eye and vision disorders. An ophthalmologist is a physician who diagnoses and treats eye disorders and diseases, and sometimes performs eye surgery. Ophthalmology is more than just vision care. This specialist is trained to medically or surgically treat all ocular and vision problems, including disorders of the eyelids and visual pathways. The ophthalmologist also provides comprehensive vision exams and prescribes glasses and contact lenses.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Florida has 1,521 practicing ophthalmologists. Broken out by city, ophthalmology doctor density in Pace is 2, in Pahokee is 2, in Palatka is 6, in Palm Bay is 15, in Palm Beach Gardens is 83, in Palm Coast is 17, in Palm Harbor is 20, in Palm Springs is 3, in Panama City is 21, in Panama City Beach is 2, in Parrish is 3, in Pembroke Park is 1, in Pembroke Pines is 22, in Pembroke Pnes is 1, in Pensacola is 36, in Perrine is 1, in Perry is 1, in Pinellas Park is 8, in Plant City is 1, in Plantation is 65, in Pompano Beach is 9, in Ponte Vedra Beach is 2, in Port Charlotte is 32, in Port Orange is 7, in Port Richey is 6, in Port Saint Joe is 2, in Port Saint Lucie is 10, and in Punta Gorda is 7.

Florida’s warm and humid subtropical climate makes it a winter destination for many. Population in 2000 was 15,982,378, according to census statistics. Tallahassee, located in the north panhandle area, is the state capital. Tourism is a major industry in Florida, with Cape Canaveral, Disney World, the Everglades National Park, Universal Studios, the Atlantic coast and the Gulf coast all destinations for visitors and residents. Year-round outdoor activities include camping, golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Florida has a population of 17,789,864. Of this population, 3,975,071 are under the age of 18 and 2,978,335 are at or above the age of 65.