In a region once underserved in eye care, Dr. John Fitz saw an opportunity—and a responsibility. Nearly four decades later, Precision Eye Care in Farmington, Missouri, still stands as a cornerstone of quality, community-focused ophthalmology care. Founded in 1986, this local practice has transformed how eye care is delivered in southeast Missouri, combining leading-edge surgical services with small-town compassion.
When Dr. Fitz returned to Farmington after graduating magna cum laude from Duke University and completing his medical degree at Saint Louis University, he knew his skills could serve a real need. At the time, St. Francois County was the second-largest county in Missouri without a full-time ophthalmologist.
“I originally went to Duke thinking I’d become a marine biologist,” he laughs. “But it didn’t take long to realize my passion was somewhere else – back home, in an area where I was truly needed.”
Dr. Fitz opened Precision Eye Care with a clear mission: to offer the same high standard of care patients might expect from major medical centers, but right here in their community. Today, his team includes fellow SLU alum Dr. Anton Beffa, who joined the practice in 1996, and optometrist Dr. Logan England. Together, they provide a blend of surgical and general eye care to patients across multiple counties.
Precision Eye Care focuses on advanced eye surgery, with cataract and glaucoma procedures making up a significant part of the practice. Cataract surgery, in particular, is a growing need among the aging population—and Dr. Fitz is an expert in the field.
In addition to surgical care, the practice is working towards bringing retina surgery back to the area – another major step in expanding access to specialized care for rural patients who would otherwise have to travel long distances for this service.
And while the practice isn't general in nature, the team at Precision Eye Care is known for thoughtful, ongoing relationships with patients. “It’s not about volume—it’s about people,” says Dr. Fitz.
Dr. Fitz’s influence extends well beyond the walls of his clinic. In 1999, he led a joint venture with Parkland Health Center and local physicians to establish a general outpatient surgery center in Farmington. At the time, hospitals were seeking to expand their operating rooms independently, but Dr. Fitz envisioned a collaborative effort that would serve the broader community. The result? A successful outpatient center that operated independently for 25 years before joining BJC in 2024.
He currently serves as President of the Board for the center, continuing to advocate for accessible, high-quality care in rural Missouri.
Dr. Fitz also invests in the next generation of healthcare professionals. He sponsors the Fitz Science Scholarship, awarded annually to both a male and female student from the local high school, and encourages job shadowing for students interested in medical careers. “Exposure is everything,” he says. “You can’t dream of being something if you’ve never seen it in action.”
He also carefully selected his colleagues with an eye for long-term sustainability. “You need one ophthalmologist per every 20,000 people,” he notes. “I knew we’d need a team.” Dr. Beffa was chosen not just for his credentials, but for his ethics and people-first approach. The same values led him to recruit Dr. England, whose background in the tennis community aligned with Fitz’s own passions.
One thing Dr. Fitz is clear about—financial barriers shouldn’t prevent someone from receiving care. Precision Eye Care regularly sees patients regardless of their ability to pay, and the practice has become known for its flexibility and compassion.
“We’re here to serve, not gatekeep,” he says. “Your vision is vital to your quality of life, and that matters more than anything else.”
For Dr. John Fitz, being a physician has always been about more than medicine. It’s about community, service, and staying rooted in the place that shaped him. Through Precision Eye Care, Dr. Fitz is making that mission a reality—one patient, one surgery, one clear vision at a time.
“Mission trips are important, but my mission is right here. There’s still so much work to do at home.” - Dr. John Fitz
"Being born and raised in Farmington, I'm proud to serve my community by providing high-quality medical eye care to the people and place I call home." - Dr. Logan England