Using my knowledge and experience, I am committed to my patients and will work hard to ensure they have good eye health by providing them with cutting edge technology.
Robert S. Friedman, MD, FACS received his medical degree with Honors from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science/Chicago Medical School in 1987 and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Society. Following medical school, Dr. Friedman completed a medical internship at the Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, an ophthalmology residency at the Louisiana State University Eye Center in New Orleans, and subsequently, a glaucoma fellowship at the prestigious New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in 1993. He has been in private practice for over 25 years.
Dr. Friedman’s areas of expertise include Glaucoma Management, Glaucoma Surgery, and Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery including Toric/Astigmatism treatment and Advanced Technology Multifocal Implants. He is involved with all aspects of glaucoma surgery including laser treatments for glaucoma, Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), Xen Gel Stents, Trabeculectomy, Tube Shunt Procedures, and Diode Laser Cyclophotocoagulation. In 2021, he was recognized for successfully performing over 100 Xen Gel Stents by Allergan Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Friedman was the first ophthalmologist in the state of Florida to insert the novel Durysta dissolvable implant for intraocular pressure control in the treatment of glaucoma.
Dr. Friedman stays active within the medical community as a member of both the Sarasota County Medical Society and the Florida Medical Association. He was appointed as Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine in 2005, and has been an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine since 2006. He enjoys teaching and educating medical students in the office and in the operating room.
Dr. Friedman has been a Principal Investigator for numerous glaucoma clinical studies since entering private practice. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and an active member of the American Glaucoma Society. He has successfully fulfilled the requirements for Maintenance of Certification (MOC) to be certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. MOC is a process that embodies the principles of lifelong learning and improvement. The goal of MOC is to continually set the standards of excellence in the quality of ophthalmic care by focusing on six general competencies integral to quality care: patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice.
With genuine concern and commitment to his patient’s eye health and his knowledge and experience with the ever-increasing options in the medical and surgical treatments for glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Friedman is uniquely qualified to provide outstanding, comprehensive care for his patients.
In his free time, you can find Dr. Friedman spending quality time with his wife Carin. Together they have 2 adult children, Zachary and Jared who have both graduated from college and are pursuing their career goals in different states. Dr. Friedman’s personal interests and activities include physical fitness, playing with his dog Rudy, collecting vintage Beatles records, and kayaking in our gorgeous Florida waterways.
