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 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 surgery

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

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. Juan A. Ayala-Haedo joined Aran Eye Associates in 2018 as an Oculofacial Plastic Surgeon with over 17 years of clinical experience.

    Dr. Ayala-Haedo attained his Medical Doctorate from the National University of Asuncion School of Medicine in Asuncion, Paraguay. There, he graduated Summa Cum Laude before continuing his studies with both a Ph.D. and an MPH from the University of Miami. Dr. Ayala-Haedo’s Ph.D studies focused on gene-environmental interactions and the pathogenesis of ocular diseases. Subsequently, his Masters in Public Health focused on evaluating the interventions that would promote bioethical research in a developing nations.
 
  Dr. Ayala-Haedo completed his residency in Ophthalmology at The University of Rochester Flaum Eye Institute before returning to Miami where he successfully completed an advanced fellowship in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery at The University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Ayala- Haedo's research in Oculofacial Plastic Surgery has centered on the role of stem cells in the pathogenesis of Thyroid Eye Disease.
 

 Prior to joining the team at Aran Eye Associates, Dr. Ayala-Haedo served as the Medical Director of a regional center in South Florida. His current practice focuses on both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as well as noninvasive rejuvenation techniques. He adapts the latest technologies to his procedures while always addressing the patients’ needs.
 

  Dr. Ayala – Haedo is the recipient of many honors and awards and is active in various organizations responsible for promoting research and making healthcare more accessible in developing countries. He has published various book chapters and abstracts, and has presented his research at numerous national and international conferences where he has been invited to be a guest speaker. 
 

  Dr. Ayala-Haedo is fluent in English, Spanish, German, and French and experienced with Italian and Guarani. In his spare time, he enjoys being out on the water, traveling with his family, and volunteering with different community projects.

 

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, 199

Internship:

• Transitional 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 is a board certified by the American  Board of Ophthalmology . He 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 internationally trained ophthalmologist. .

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. 

Areas 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:

• 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.

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.

Areas 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 Scientific 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

Mario J. Rojas, M.D. completed his ophthalmology surgical training at Eastern Virginia

Medical School and subsequently completed a fellowship in ocular surface clinical research, focusing on complex ocular surface disease and dry eye at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute / Miami Veterans Hospital.

 

He graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine; and completed one year of internal medicine at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Upon completion of his intern year, he completed a post-doctoral year working on early glaucoma detection at Bascom Palmer/McKnight Vision Research Center. Dr. Rojas has received several awards and grants. He has completed peer reviewed publications, and authored several book chapters focusing on dry eye treatments, premium cataract surgery and Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery. He received a Bachelor of Science from UC Berkeley in Molecular Biology.

 

Dr. Rojas grew up in Torrance California, in the south bay of Los Angeles. His father is from Costa Rica and mother from Nicaragua. In his spare time Dr. Rojas is a passionate soccer player. He enjoys traveling and cooking. He lived Puerto Rico and Spain during the course of his educational studies. 

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 the 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.

Honors and Award:

• Sigma Delta PI( Spanish Honors Society)
• U of I at Urban-Champaign, IL.

Specialties:

• General Ophthalmology
• Dry Eye
• Glaucoma Treatment

Languages:

• English
• Spanish

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 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.

Languages:

Fluent in Spanish and English.

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. 

Specialties:

• Board Certified Optometrist Physician & Board Certified Nutrition Specialist

Samantha Fernandez, OD earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Minor in Philosophy from the University of Miami in 2014. While at the University of Miami she founded and became president of the UM pre-optometry club called OptomEyes.  She received her optometric training at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, graduated with honors, and was the Alumni Chapter Scholarship recipient for her academic success and leadership. While at Nova Southeastern University, she was the vice president of the Florida Optometric Student Association and completed an externship in Shanghai, China where she helped patients at the Fudan Hospital for three months.

 
Following graduation, Dr. Fernandez completed a residency program in Primary Care with Emphasis in Ocular Disease, at Miami Veteran Affairs Healthcare System. She is currently a full time Optometric Physician at Aran Eye Associates. Dr. Fernandez comes from a loving Cuban family and she was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Her favorite travel experience was in Shanghai China and Hong Kong. She is fluent in English and Spanish.