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Don Benefield, MD is an ophthalmologist who practices in Gulfport, Mississippi. Dr. Benefield specializes in
cataract and refractive surgery such as LASIK, Refractive Lens Exchange, advanced technology IOL's, and
astigmatism correction. He also has a dry eye practice, does eyelid and glaucoma surgery, advanced diagnostics
and comprehensive ophthalmology.
Don Benefield is a native of Gulfport, Mississippi and received his BS degree from the University of Southern
Mississippi in 1982. He attended Tulane Medical School then interned at Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in
Internal Medicine. Dr. Benefield completed his training at Tulane Department of Ophthalmology in 1990.
Dr. Don Benefield founded Benefield Eye Care, PC on the beach in Gulfport in 1990. After the clinic was
slabbed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Dr. Benefield built a beautiful new clinic and Coastal Eye Surgery Center,
Inc. six miles inland. The eight lane clinic, built in the A. Hays Town architectural style also has a LASIK suite
and eyewear shop. Dr. Benefield employs an optometrist and 23 other full and part time staff.
Dr. Don Benefield served as president of the University of Southern Mississippi International Alumni
Association in 2000. He was elected to the University of Southern Mississippi Hall of Fame in 2002.
Dr. Don Benefield is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, past president of the Mississippi
Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, and president of Tulane Eye Alumni. He was outstanding Tulane Eye
alumnus of the year in 2006, has received the Physicians Recognition Award from the American Medical
Association, and Lifelong Education Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is also a
clinical instructor of ophthalmology at Tulane Medical School, a member of the Refractive Surgical Alliance,
International Society of Refractive Surgery, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, New Orleans
Academy of Ophthalmology, Mississippi State Medical Association, Coast Counties Medical Society and Eye Pac
board for the Mississippi Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons.
Dr. Benefield lives on the bayou in Gulfport with his wife Patricia. He has 3 grown daughters (although the youngest is
a sophomore at the University of Mississippi) and an 11 month old grandson. He enjoys boating and big game fishing.
He also likes to create, invent, build and fix things. Dr. Benefield has a patent on an eye dominance detection device
and methods. He is also an artist who occasionally creates t-shirt art for events. Dr. Benefield is looking forward to the
PCEO course and the doors that it may open for his business, family, and patients.