Dr. Alberto Aran, M.D., Medical Director of Aran Eye Associates, is a forerunner in the use of laser technology and other advanced surgical techniques. Dr. Aran’s specialties include cataract surgery by clear cornea incision with intraocular lens implantation, corneal transplants, and laser vision correction.

Dr. Aran’s vast clinical experience includes over 50,000 surgical procedures and he has performed over 50,000 cataract surgeries. As a scholar, he is widely sought out as a “training physician” by his peers. He was the first ophthalmic surgeon in Florida to use the FDA-approved Excimer Laser and he has trained many South Florida physicians in the use of Excimer Laser technology over the years. He is also the Director for the Laser Center at Coral Gables, a TLC affiliate.

Dr. Aran graduated Magna Cum Laude from Spring Hill College in Alabama and received his medical degree with honors from the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana. He has received a citation from the United States Congress for his selfless contribution to the needy and his extensive volunteer work as an eye physician and surgeon. Dr. Aran is listed in the “Who’s Who Amongst Outstanding Americans” and received the 1979 Belen Jesuit Prep School “Men for Others” award.

Surgical Staff Privileges:

• Surgical Center of Coral Gables
• North Miami Beach Surgical Center
• Jackson North Medical Center
• Foundation for Advanced Eye Care
• Eye Care and Surgery Center of Ft Lauderdale

Analisa Arosemena, M.D. is a board certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Dr. Arosemena completed two fellowships, one in ophthalmology and a second fellowship in Glaucoma /Anterior Segment at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, Louisiana .She completed a Transitional Internship at Tulane University School of Medicine and a Rural Internship at Policlinica Santiago Barraza in Chorrera, Republic of Panama. Dr. Arosemena completed her medical degree in 1998 at Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico. Dr. Arosemena has published many publications and Manuscripts.

Honor and Awards

• Dr. Arosemena was the recipient of the Best student award, second place among 130 students with an overall GPA 4.5 in Medical School. She was also awarded with the Clinical research Award at the O’Brian Professorship Conference on June 2001 and June 2003 at Tulane University School of Medicine In New Orleans, Louisiana.

Specialties:

• Glaucoma, Corneal and External Diseases, Xen and Cypass implant surrgery

Languages:

• Dr. Arosemena speaks fluent English and Spanish

Dr. Wals is a board certified ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal disease specialist.

Dr. Wals attained his doctoral degree in medicine at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York, New York and completed his ophthalmology residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York, where he was also the Chief Resident. Dr. Wals also completed a vitreoretinal disease fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania and has published numerous chapters in textbooks on retinal diseases.

Specialties:

• Diabetic Eye Disease
• Macular Degeneration
• Retinal Detachment
• Retina Complications due to HIV/AIDS

Professional Associations:

• American Ophthalmology Association
• American Medical Association

Education:

• Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY
• Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
• Internal medicine completed at, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Manhattan, NY
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh. PA

Dr. Picciani is a board certified ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal disease specialist. Dr. Picciani attained her doctoral degree in medicine at Universidade Federal do Ceara in Fortaleza, Brazil. She completed her residency in Ophthalmology at Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. where she was also the Chief Resident. Dr. Picciani has completed two fellowships. She completed a Medical Retina fellowship at the University Of Miami, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and a second fellowship on Vitreoretinal surgery at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, TX. In her spare time Dr. Picciani likes to volunteer with different health community organizations. Dr. Picciani is fluent in English, Portuguese, French and Spanish.

Specialties:

• Diabetic Eye Disease
• Retinal Detachment
• Macular Degeneration

Professional Associations:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• The American Society of Retina Specialists

Education:

• Universidade Federal do Ceara, Fortaleza Brazil
• University Of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL
• Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
• University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston,TX

Dr. Masvidal graduated from the medical school of The University of Costa Rica and trained in Internal Medicine at Franklyn Square Hospital in Baltimore. He did Ophthalmology at State University of New York, Downstate in Brooklyn.

For over 30 years he has provided eye care to South Florida specializing in comprehensive and anterior segment, cataracts and glaucoma.

Dr. Marco A. Fabrega Jr., MD, specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases. Dr Fabrega’s specialties include clear corneal small incision cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation and some glaucoma surgeries and laser procedures.

Residency:

• University of Maryland Medical System
  July 1, 1987 to June 30, 1990

Internship:

• Transitisional Medicine
  L.A. County Harbor/UCLA Medical Center
  June 24, 1985 to June 23, 1986
  

Medical School:

• UCLA School of Medicine
  Los Angeles, CA
  September 1981 to June 1985
  

Dr. Arnulfo Mansur received his medical degree from of Universidad Del Norte, and completed his ophthalmology residency in Universidad Javeriana Hospital La Samaritana Colombia. Dr. Mansur has over 30 years in ophthalmology practice and completed a fellowship in Anterior and External diseases under the tutelage of Dr. Alberto Aran. He is an international trained ophthalmologist and is American Board of Ophthalmology eligible.

Before his ophthalmology residency Dr. Mansur completed two elective rotations one in University of Paris Camp du Nord, Paris, France and the second in Universidad de Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, and Puerto Rico. He is fluent in English, Spanish and French.

Dr. Mansur has special interest in dry eye treatment and has extensive experience in performing pterygium surgery with amniotic membrane graft, autograft, Limbal stem cell transplantation and functional eyelid disease.

Area of Interest:

• General Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma Treatment
• Pterygium Surgery

Professional Association:

• Association of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons

Surgical Staff Privileges:

• Surgical Center of Coral Gables
• Eye Care and Surgery Center of Ft. Lauderdale
• Larkin Community Hospital

Claudia P. Arroyave O’ Brien, M.D. is a board certified from the American Academyof Opthalmology. She completed a fellowship in comprehensive ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Institute in Miami, Florida. She completed her medical residency at Hospital Oftalmologico de Ntra. Sra. De La Luz, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. and completed a one year of internship at San Rafael Bogota, Colombia. She attained her Medical degree at Escula de Medicina Juan N. Corpas Bogota, Colombia in 1986. Dr. Arroyave O’Brien has published many articles and publications.

Honors and Awards::

Dr. Arroyave O’ Brien is a recipient of many awards and honors including:

• Recognition Award Internship, Hospital San Rafael Bogota Colombia (1986)
• Magna Cum Laude: Ophthalmology. Hospital Ophthalmologico de Ntra. Sra. De la Luz (1991)
• Best Resident Paper; Mexican Society of Ophthalmology (1990)
• Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Comprehensive Ophthalmology. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute (07/1999- 10/2001)
• Laser Procedure

Specialties:

• General Ophthalmology, Dry Eye, Glaucoma Treatment, Pterygium Surgery and Laser Procedures.

Languages:

• Dr. Arroyave O’Brien speaks fluent English and Spanish.

Dr. Corndorf is a graduate of Emory University where he received his bachelors degree in Chemistry and then the University of Miami School of Medicine where he was awarded his M.D.. He completed his Ophthalmology residency at the George Washington University where he served as chief resident. He was a fellow at the Katzen Eye Institute in Baltimore Md and then joined the staff at the Park Nicollet Medical Center in Minneapolis, Mn. He was also the founder of the Cataract and Laser Center in Minnesota. Dr Corndorf practiced in Moorestown New Jersey before returning to Florida where he is now a member of the staff at Aran Eye Associates. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Joel David Aronowicz Gallego, M.D. completed his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Texas Southwestern medical Center at Dallas. Dallas, Texas. He also completed a surgery internship at Northshore/LIJ Health System in Manhasset, New York. Dr. Aronowicz Gallego completed his medical degree from Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela in 1999 and has published many articles and participated in the ‘International red Cross Voluntary Internship” Emergency department in Venezuelan Red Cross.

Area of Interest:

• General Ophthalmology
• Dry Eye
• Glaucoma Treatment

Professional Associations:

• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• American Medical Association
• Latin-American Society of Scientific student societies (FELSOCEM) Honorary Member

Surgical Staff Privileges:

• Surgical Center of Coral Gables
• Eye Care and Surgery Center of Ft. Lauderdale

Honors and Awards:

• 2007- Best Poster 1st. Year Resident, at the alumni day event. UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dallas, TX: Role of central corneal thickness (CCT) in circadian intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuations in patients with mild to moderate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) Joel Aronowicz, Philip Lieu, Jordon Lubahn, Michael Coleman, Patrick Brooks, Pranav Chitkara, Mohannad Albdour, and Karanjit S Kooner.
• 2000 - Executive secretary, Scientific Society of Student of Medicine of the Central University of Venezuela(1998-2000),Dean’s Recognition
• 1999- 1st Place free papers: Aronowicz J, Andarcia C, Armand A, Arrufat A. Prevalence of Labor Stress in a Population of Workers at a Petro-Chemical Industry in Venezuela. XIV International Scientific Congress of the Latin-American Federation of Scientifics Societies of Student of Medicine (FELSOCEM), Panama, Panama.

Specialties:

• General ophthalmology, Dry eye and Glaucoma treatment

Languages:

• Dr. Aronowicz Gallego speaks fluent English and Spanish

Dr. Fernando F. Lopez, M.D. completed a fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and reconstructive Surgery at Beraja Medical Institute, Coral Gables, FL. in 2001 He completed his medical residency in ophthalmology at Interfaith Medical Center Division of Ophthalmology in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Lopez received his medical degree from University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1995. Dr. Lopez worked at his private ophthalmology practice in Aurora Illinois in 2003 and later moved his practice to Lombard, Illinois. He later joined Aran Eye Associates in 2017.

Emilio Balius, O.D. is a board certified optometrist and is the clinic director at Aran Eye Associates. Dr. Balius completed his bachelor’s degree in Science at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. He graduated from the University of Houston in Houston, Texas with his doctors degree in optometry. Dr. Balius completed his residency in hospital- based optometry at the Baltimore VA Medical Center in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been practicing at Aran Eye Associates since 1993 and previously practiced at Bascom Eye Institute as a staff optometrist. He is a licensed optometrist for the state of Florida, Georgia and Texas.

Dr. Aura Zambrano earned her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Thomas University in 2007 where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and received the St. Thomas University Award in Science for her work in a project in conjunction with The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. She received her optometric training at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry with honors in 2012 and was awarded with the Southern Council of Optometry Award for Clinical Excellence.
Following graduation, Dr. Zambrano successfully completed a one year optometric residency program in ocular disease at Aran Eye Associates. She is currently a full time Optometric physician at Aran Eye Associates. She is a member of the Beta Sigma Kappa International Optometric Honor Society as well as the Dade County, Florida and American Optometric Associations. Dr. Zambrano was born and raised in Ecuador.

Dr. Jessica E. Rodriguez was born and raised in Miami, FL. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with a minor in Chemistry at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. She then pursued her Doctorate of Optometry at the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, Illinois, where she graduated with honors in 2013. Dr. Rodriguez completed clinical rotations at the Illinois Eye Institute, the Chicago Lighthouse, the Hickam Air Force in Oahu, Hawaii, and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Following Optometry school she completed a one year Optometric residency in Ocular Disease at Aran Eye Associates. After completion of her residency she joined the staff of AEA as a full-time Optometrist. Dr. Rodriguez is a member of the American Optometric Association, Beta Sigma Kappa Optometric Honor Society, Tomb and Key Honor Fraternity, and the Miami Dade Optometric Physicians Association.

Dr. Steve Newman combines his knowledge as an optometric physician, certified personal trainer and board certified nutrition specialist to educate his patients and the public on the importance of a healthy lifestyle. With more than twenty five years in the health profession, Dr. Newman has advised and guided thousands of patients with information needed to make the right choices when it comes to health, medicine, surgery, nutrition, supplements and overall well being.

A graduate from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, Dr. Newman completed an ocular pathology externship at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute then followed with his post-graduate residency at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute.

Dr. Newman is well known on the professional lecture circuit as his seminars continue to get rave reviews from the doctors and lay people that attend. His latest book, FEEL MORE ALIVE NOW, is available @ amazon.com.

Practicing what he preaches, Dr. Newman is an avid cyclist, often participating in charity rides throughout the country.

• Board Certified Optometric Physiciant
• Board Certified Nutrition Specialist

Lisbet Abrante, O.D. attained her Bachelor of Science in Integrated Biology at University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and went to Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, NSUCO, in Davie, Florida where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Vision Science. She graduated with optometric training at Nova Southeastern University College in 2013 and completed a residency with emphasis in ocular Disease at NSUCO in 2014.
Dr. Abrante has done volunteer work in Ecuador where she assisted in performing comprehensive exams on over 800 patients. She also volunteered in the Shands at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida where she coordinated activities for the child patients, supervised the children throughout their activities and translated documents for Spanish speaking families.

Anieka Williams, O.D. received her Bachelor of Vision Science from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fl where she also completed a Mini MBA for optometrist and graduated with her doctoral degree in optometry. She also completed a Bachelor of Science at The University of Tampa. Dr. Williams has practiced at many private and commercial optometric physician offices and joined Aran Eye Associates in 2016.

Dr. Arturo Ramos, O.D., M.D., M.S. is a board certified optometrist in the United States. Dr. Ramos received his doctor of optometry degree from New England College of Optometry in Boston Massachusetts. Prior to graduating from Optometry he completed a residency training as a specialist in ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology San Carlos Hospital, University of Madrid, Madrid Spain. Dr. Ramos received his medical surgeon degree from CENTRAL University of Venezuela in Caracas, Venezuela. He attained a master degree in anterior Pole Disease and surgery at Instituto Barraquer, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Ramos is also the inventor of the design of Hyperbolic Toroidal mirror for ophthalmic applications. He practiced as an ophthalmologist in Venezuela and moved to the United States where he has practiced as an optometrist in various private practices. Dr. Ramos practices at Leon medical Center as a contracted doctor at Aran Eye Associates.

Noemi Zubizarreta, O. D. received her Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology/Behavioral Medicine from The University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida and went to The New England College of Optometry, in Boston, Massachusetts where she graduated with her doctoral degree in optometric training in 2005 and later completed a residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Zubizarreta practice at South Florida Eye Associates for five years and joined Aran Eye Associates in 2014 as a contracted doctor to practice at Leon Medical Center.

Laura Espinosa, O.D. completed her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. She graduated with her doctoral degree inOptometric training at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science University.
Dr. Espinosa has practiced in Newington and South Windsor Connecticut in two different primary care practices. Dr. Espinosa performed comprehensive medical eye exams managing multitudes of contact lens cases, along with various types of ocular disease cases.

Patrisa Tare, O.D. completed her undergraduate education at Florida international University in Miami, Florida and earned her Bachelor of Visions Science from Nova Southeastern University, Davie, Florida were she graduated with her doctorate degree in optometry in 2007. She later completed a residency with emphasis in Ocular Disease at Beraja Medical Institute.

Sergio Morello, Jr., M.D. completed his residency in ophthalmology at Hospital das Clinicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirao Preto da Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. He completed a corneal and external eye disease fellowship at Boston University City and Affiliated Hospital. He graduated with his medical degree from Universidade Federal de Uberlandia, MG Brazil. Dr. Morello has published many publications and has lectured national and internationally in the areas of cataract and cornea topics. 

Specialties:
Cataract surgery and external eye diseases 

Languages:  Dr. Morello speaks fluent English and Spanish and Portuguese

Ariadna Gonzalez-Zipse, M.D. is a board certified ophthalmologist. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree at University of Miami, Miami Fl. where she also graduated with her doctoral degree in Medicine. Dr. Gonzalez- Zipse received her ophthalmology residency training at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY. She later completed a Glaucoma Fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY. 

Dr. Gonzalez- Zipse enjoys participating in the Miami Dade community health fairs, where she has provided glaucoma screenings and education to the general community. 

Specialties: 
General Ophthalmology, Dry Eye, Glaucoma Treatment take out dry eye from here 

Languages: Dr. Gonzalez- Zipse speaks fluent English Spanish and Portuguese