DR. SAM POPPELL
Dr. Poppell completed his ophthalmology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and further training in a corneal/external disease fellowship at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida.
Dr. Poppell is the founder and Medical Director of the Emerald Coast Eye Institute, PA. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and an honors graduate from the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio.
Dr. Poppell’s advanced training and extensive experience give him expertise in the following:
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The Latest Advances In Corneal Transplant Surgeries (IEK and DSEK)
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State-of-the-Art Refractive Eye Surgeries (CustomVue IntraLASIK, PRK, Visian ICL, RLE as well as PTK)
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Small Incision Sutureless and Customized Cataract Surgeries (Crystalens, Restor, ReZoom, Toric, new technology and conventional intraocular lenses)
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Yag Laser Capsulotomies
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Functional and Cosmetic Eyelid Surgeries
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DCR (dacryocystorhinostomy or tear duct reconstruction)
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Ophthalmic Reconstructive Surgeries
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Pterygium Surgeries
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Glaucoma Care and Management (Medical, Yag Laser Iridotomies, and SLT)
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Diabetic Eye Care and Management
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Macular Degeneration Care and Management
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Iritis Care and Management
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General Eye Health, Care and Management
Dr. Poppell’s practice success stems from his diverse leadership positions while practicing in the military.
He served as the Chief of Ophthalmology at Wright-Patterson Medical Center, Assistant Clinical Professor at Wright State University and Attending Surgeon at Dayton Veterans Hospital for Ohio State University, where he taught medical students and eye surgery residents.
After retiring as a full Colonel and beginning full-time private practice in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 1991, Dr. Poppell founded Emerald Coast Eye Institute, PA, to provide the most advanced and highest quality eye care for our community and the surrounding region.
“Our practice is based on our reputation and a long history of personalized service and pursuit of excellence.”
DR. TODD ROBINSON
Todd Robinson, MD was born and raised in Nebraska where he attended the University of Nebraska and obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1985, and his Medical Degree in 1991. While attending medical school, he was elected and served as Senator of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Student Government, as a Member of the UNMC Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Student Affairs, and as an Officer of the Nebraska Chapter of the American Medical Student Association. He also cofounded THINC (Teaching HIV Infection to Nebraska Communities), a volunteer group of medical students who traveled the state, educating Nebraska students about AIDS and its prevention. He served his Internship at the University of Nebraska where he received the prestigious Lee Retelsdorf, MD Award for Academic Excellence. Dr. Robinson then went on to finish his Ophthalmology Residency at West Virginia University in 1996.
During his career, he has published articles in respected scientific journals, and has presented scientific research at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. He became Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology in 1997, obtaining recertification in 2008 and 2018. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Robinson practiced for many years in Tennessee (where he served as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery of the East Tennessee State University College of Medicine) and Arkansas becoming an accomplished eye physician and surgeon before moving to the Florida Panhandle.
A prolific surgeon, Dr. Robinson provides his patients in northwest Florida with the latest advances in cataract surgery using the various Advanced Technology Lens Implants, and performed over 1000 cataract operations each year. He also provides treatment of glaucoma and retina disorders, and has a special interest in Oculoplastics for the treatment of droopy eyelids.
Dr. Robinson has a variety of personal interests including golf, hiking, horseback riding, scuba diving and travel. He enjoys visiting his grandson Michael Todd and daughter Adrianne, who lives in Nebraska with her husband.
The Emerald Coast Eye Institute feels very fortunate that Dr. Robinson has joined the practice and the professional team of exceedingly well-qualified, Board Certified Ophthalmologists.