Three Generations of Greek-American Eye Doctors Serve Generations of Patients

Back in 1961, Dr. Louis Michaelos had no way of knowing that his brand-new ophthalmological practice would become a dynasty of three eye doctors, all caring for generations of patients under one roof.

But that is the amazing result, almost 60 years later, as he, as a 90-year-old, works alongside his son Dr. John Michaelos, and John’s son, Dr. Louis Michaelos. The Largo, Florida-based practice is the fruit of many years of care and nurturing.

The eldest Michaelos ophthalmologist told interviewers from Florida’s ABC Action News that he was “proud, very proud,” knowing that he is responsible for the creation of such a local institution and that he could work alongside his son and grandson.

Only seeing patients once per week now, the nonagenarian has the pleasure of knowing that the practice he worked so hard to create is now in the capable hands of his son, Dr. John Michaelos — and also, since last year, his grandson, Dr. Louis Michaelos.

He says “I like to be with the community, really” as another aspect of the practice that keeps him coming to the office every week. One of the core values of St. Michael’s Eye and Laser Institute is also maintaining a “family environment,” where the practice setting “promotes a feeling of trust and support for staff members and the patients we serve.”

For his part, the new member of the team says “I’m thrilled to be carrying the family baton forward.” He told interviewers that he actually did not imagine that one day he would be working alongside his father and grandfather in the same office he played in when he was young.

He explains “Having him (his grandfather) with such passion to take care of patients, has put a footprint and fingerprint on my style of caring for patients as well.”

The three men provide complete eye care to the greater Largo area, including glaucoma and cataract surgery as well as LASIK surgery. The current manager of the practice, Dr. John Michaelos, says that now, it is time for a slight readjustment on his part in the way he sees himself at work, because he is no longer the “young gun” in the office.

He tells interviewers “A patient not long ago, when I stepped in the room, that patient said, ‘Wait a minute, I’m here to see the son,” and I felt like the older guy.”

Dr. Louis says that some of the practice’s patients have been looked after by him for more than fifty years now, and now the grandchildren of those patients are being cared for by his own grandson.

For his part, the new member of the team, Dr. Louis, explains “It’s in our blood, it’s what we do.”