Our History
With three convenient locations, Caplan Eye Clinic has been serving the New Orleans area since 1938.
Experienced. Caring. Professional.
The Oldest Eye Care Practice in Louisiana
Caplan Eye Clinic was established in 1938 by the late Harry B. Caplan, MD in downtown New Orleans. In 1979, his son Daniel I. Caplan, MD joined the practice. A year later, Caplan Eye Clinic moved to what is now its flagship location in the heart of Metairie, just a block from Lakeside Mall.
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Come visit us at one of our three convenient locations.
Brendon J. Sumich joined the Caplan Eye Clinic in 2014 and a few years later became a partner-owner of the Clinic. Dr. Sumich is fellowship trained in cornea and cataract surgery.
In the following years, optometrist and contact lens specialist, Dr. Stephen M. Welcker joined the staff at Caplan Eye Clinic. Most recently, Caplan Eye Clinic has added fellowship trained eye specialists in the fields of retina, glaucoma, and pediatric eye care.
In 2024, Chad M. Caplan MD joined the Caplan Eye Clinic. He is the grandson of the Founder, Dr. Harry B. Caplan and son of current Managing Partner, Dr. Daniel I. Caplan. Dr. Chad is proud to be the 3rd generation of the Caplan family in ophthalmology.
Caplan open the Mandeville suburban office in 1995. In 2018, Caplan Eye Clinic opened their West Bank location in Gretna.
While proud of our standing as the oldest eye care practice in the State of Louisiana, Caplan Eye Clinic is also proud to promote innovation and the early adoption of proven medical technologies.
Eye Care worth Celebrating
Unwavering Commitment to Quality
In 2023, Caplan Eye Clinic became the first and only eye center in Louisiana to participate in an FDA clinical trial study for the Valeda light therapy for dry Macular Degeneration.
In 2024, Caplan Eye Clinic became the first eye center in the U.S. to offer Valeda treatment for AMD following the FDA’s clearance.
Dr. Chad Caplan became the first physician in the U.S. to treat an AMD patient with Valeda. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Daniel Caplan and Dr. Brendon Sumich became the second and third doctors in the U.S. to perform Valeda on an AMD patient.
At Caplan Eye Clinic, our commitment is to continue to provide high quality eye care to our patients in a comfortable environment. In 2013, we were presented with proclamations by the Jefferson Parish Council and the St. Tammany Parish Council, in honor of our 75th anniversary and in recognition of our status as the oldest eye care practice in the State of Louisiana.
Giving back
The 15 White Coats
Caplan Eye Clinic is proud to support the 15 White Coats, a group of 15 Tulane University medical students who created a series of photos of themselves in front of an old slave cabin at the Whitney Plantation near New Orleans. These photos went viral and became an international phenomenon.
The 15 White Coats organization was established by these students to affect positive change in the U.S. They have since been guests on numerous national TV shows.
One of their goals is to place these photos in schools across the nation to serve as an inspiration to young African American children and others.
The 15 White Coats also provides grants to assist African-American students with the cost of educational materials to prepare for medical school admission exams and other costs associated with applying to medical school.
Dr. Russell Ledet, co-founder of The 15 White Coats once doubted that he had the ability to succeed in college. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence tech. His wife convinced him to attend Southern University in Baton Rouge LA where he graduated with high honors. He then attended NYU where he earned a Master’s Degree in molecular oncology. He continued his studies at NYU to earn a PhD in molecular oncology. Dr. Russell graduated from Tulane University Medical School where he received his MD and MBA degrees.
Comprehensive Care
Why We’re the Clear Choice
Since 1938, Caplan Eye Care has been providing only the highest quality eye care to our valued patients. As a total eye care facility, we offer both adult and pediatric services. At Caplan Eye Clinic, we diagnose and treat a variety of eye conditions and disorders, fit contact lenses, perform medical eye examinations, and so much more. And we’ve been doing it for over 85 years.