A pair of eye specialists will soon establish a new clinic within the Wilmington medical district this fall.

Brian Groat, an eye surgeon specialist, said Wednesday that he and business partner Darrell Hester, a surgeon with nearly 17 years of experience with Eye Associates of Wilmington, will open their new venture together – Wilmington-based Live Oak Ophthalmology – by early November.

The firm will occupy roughly 3,000 square feet at 1915 S. 17th St., north of the sprawling New Hanover Regional Medical Center campus.

Officials with Wilmington-based CCSI are currently upfitting the space to accommodate the group’s new clients for its November opening.

Vin Wells, a partner and broker with Wilmington-based Cape Fear Commercial, completed the lease transaction in early September for an undisclosed amount.

Groat, the former chief of ophthalmology at the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center in Nevada, said he recently relocated his family from Las Vegas two weeks ago to partner in the new venture. He said the new practice would specialize in a number of treatment surgeries for clients, including cornea transplant surgery and glaucoma surgery.

“We’re coming in with an optimistic view that we’re going to be doing something great for the community,” Groat said. “We feel like we have a good niche going into this.”

Groat said while Live Oak will offer an extensive variety of surgical eye care procedures, the firm also plans to partner with area optometrists to provide Live Oak clients with options to purchases new contact lenses or glasses.

As greater Wilmington’s population grays, Groat said he and his business partner feel their practice is in a good position to grow – adding that while the firm plans to hire four to five staff members, the long-range plan is to build their own facility and hire additional workers.

“We’re here for the next 30 years,” Groat said. “We want to be a part of this community and are really excited about this opportunity.”