The Suncoast Eye Center is now open to all patients. We will continue to monitor and follow the CDC and government guidelines to ensure the highest level of care and safety for our patients.
Meet the doctors
Meet the Specialists of Suncoast Eye Center
Our Mission
At Suncoast Eye Center
, specialists
from the Department of Ophthalmology
provide the full range of clinical services
to adults. This includes cataract diagnosis and treatment, eyelid and glaucoma surgery.
We have been providing outstanding eye care services to the residents of Florida since 1982. Our reputation is unsurpassed in both regular eye care services and surgical procedures.
Suncoast Eye Center provides comprehensive services to help you treat and take care of your sight. Whether you need highly specialized surgery or simply a first pair of glasses, you can get the very best ophthalmic care.
We are committed to providing all of our services in a compassionate, supportive environment. Suncoast Eye Center offers a variety of patient support services, including educational materials and programs.
We have been providing outstanding eye care services to the residents of Florida since 1982. Our reputation is unsurpassed in both regular eye care services and surgical procedures.
Suncoast Eye Center provides comprehensive services to help you treat and take care of your sight. Whether you need highly specialized surgery or simply a first pair of glasses, you can get the very best ophthalmic care.
We are committed to providing all of our services in a compassionate, supportive environment. Suncoast Eye Center offers a variety of patient support services, including educational materials and programs.
Meet the Doctors
Alan M. Freedman, M.D. | Cataract and Eyelid Surgery Specialist
Alan M. Freedman is a board certified ophthalmologist, specializing in cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation. Dr. Freedman is distinguished as being one of the few Fellowship trained cataract specialists on the West Coast of Florida.
Education
Dr. Freedman received his medical degree from New York Medical College, Vallhalla, New York; he completed three years of residency training in Ophthalmology at Nassau County Medical Center, Long Island, New York. Dr. Freedman's specialized Fellowship training in Phacoemulsification, Intraocular Lens Implantation and Anterior Segment Surgery, was completed at Mary Shiels Hospital, Dallas, Texas, under William S. Harris, M.D. Before joining the Suncoast Eye Center in 1985, Dr. Freedman practiced from his offices in the Tampa Bay area. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Residency in Ophthalmology:
Nassau County Medical Center Clinical Campus (1975-1978)
State University of New York at Stonybrook, East Meadow, New York
State University of New York at Stonybrook, East Meadow, New York
Marquerite M. Kohlhepp, M.D. | Vitreo-Retinal Specialist
Marguerite Kohlhepp, M.D. is a board certified, fellowship trained, ophthalmologist, who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of retina disease. As a vitreo-retinal specialist, her areas of expertise include macular degeneration and treatment with Lucentis and Macugen therapy, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, macular holes and retinal blood vessel blockages.
Education
Dr. Kohlhepp received her medical degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She completed her Internship at Winthrop University Hospital, New York, and her Residency at Yeshiva University, an affiliate of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York. Continuing her sub-speciality training, Dr. Kohlhepp completed a Fellowship in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. Dr. Kohlhepp is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Medical Association and the Pasco County Medical Society.
Michael Manning, M.D. | Cataract and Eyelid Surgery Specialist
“I strive to
provide my patients with the highest quality of eye care and the personal touch
they deserve”
~Michael Manning, MD
Dr.
Michael Manning is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist. He joined the
Suncoast Eye Center/Eye Surgery Institute in 2015. Dr. Manning has
extensive training and experience in Cataract Surgery, Refractive
Surgery, Eyelid Surgery; as well as treatment of Glaucoma.
Dr. Manning has co-authored publications in the well-regarded Albert & Jakobiec's Principles & Practice of Ophthalmology (3rd Edition), described by The Journal of the American Medical Association as “the current standard in comprehensive ophthalmology textbooks.”
Education
Dr. Manning attended Rollins College where he majored in Chemistry and earned a Bachelor of Arts through the distinguished Honors Degree Program. He earned his Doctorate of Medicine degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine and completed an Internal Medicine Internship at the University of South Florida College of Medicine. He completed his Ophthalmology Residency Training at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, where he was selected as Chief Resident.
In Memoriam: Dr. Frederick Hauber
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Fritz Hauber, a cherished member of our team at Suncoast Eye Center. Dr. Hauber dedicated his life to the health and well-being of patients throughout the years, serving with compassion, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in care. Dr. Hauber will be remembered for his kindness, dedication, and the legacy of care he built within our community.
Sara Creekmore, D.O.
Dr. Creekmore is a board certified ophthalmologist who believes that appreciating the interconnected nature of body, mind, and spirit is integral to caring for patients. She received her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine, from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Bradenton, Florida. Dr. Creekmore completed her ophthalmology residency in Valley Health System, Las Vegas, Nevada, where she served as Chief Resident. She is a member of the American Academy of
Ophthalmology, the American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Osteopathic Association.
Victoria Colasurdo Tarbutton, O.D.
Victoria Colasurdo Tarbutton, O.D. is a board-certified optometrist specializing in a wide range of eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams, contact lens fittings, and the management of ocular diseases such as dry eye, glaucoma and macular degeneration. She is dedicated to staying updated on the latest advancements in optometry to provide cutting-edge and personalized care.
Education
Victoria Tarbutton earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Illinois College of Optometry and has been practicing optometry since 2014. Her externship rotations took place at the Chicago Public Schools Eye Clinic, Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, Mid-Florida Eye Center and the Newington VA Hospital in Connecticut. Prior to joining Suncoast Eye Center, she has been practicing optometry in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
Chelsey Knapper, D.O /Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Chelsey Knapper is a skilled oculofacial plastic surgeon, specializing in blepharoplasty, eyelid skin cancer, Botox, and other injectable treatments. She began her academic journey at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Biochemistry and Dance. Driven by her passion for medicine, she went on to receive her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Following her doctorate, Dr. Knapper refined her medical expertise through an intensive internship and Ophthalmology residency with the Ascension Hospital System in Detroit, Michigan. She then completed a fellowship in Oculoplastic Surgery at Michigan Neuro-Ophthalmology and Oculoplastics in Warren, Michigan, gaining specialized experience in her field.
Dr. Knapper’s training includes rotations at respected institutions nationwide, such as the Kresge Eye Institute, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, and Columbia University, which provided her with a well-rounded skill set. Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Knapper is committed to serving underserved communities both locally and internationally. She has participated in mission trips to Mexico, Mozambique, and Peru, contributing her skills to improve access to eye care.