CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN EYE CARE - Key Persons

Dr. Victoria specializes in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Her practice is dedicated to aesthetic, functional and reconstructive surgery specializing in the face, orbits, eyelids, and lacrimal system. She completed her ophthalmology residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York where she was chief resident. She is a Board-certified Ophthalmologist by the American Board of Ophthalmology (http://abop.org), the oldest medical certifying Board in the United States. She then went on to train as a fellow in Craniofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Miami Children's Hospital with Dr. Anthony Wolfe. During her training, she was exposed to congenital malformations, craniosynostoses, cleft lip and palate, craniofacial trauma, tumors, and facial cosmetic surgery. She then spent two years as an ASOPRS (www.asoprs.org) fellow in Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore under the tutelage of Dr. James Karesh and Dr. Marc Hirschbein. There, she trained in disorders and surgery relating to the eyelids, brows, orbits, lacrimal system, thyroid eye disease, and facial cosmetic surgery. Dr. Victoria relocated to South Florida in July 2014. She is passionate about delivering care to the under-served and has participated in several medical missions during her training, including missions to India, Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia, and Ecuador. Being a woman, Dr. Victoria has a personal understanding of what women want and need. She carries no hard shell around. Dr. Victoria spends the time needed to fully educate you and make sure you are aware of all your options, ensuring you have a full understanding of the treatment or procedure you are considering. Dr. Victoria offers both surgical and non-surgical rejuvenation treatments, providing you with a wider range of cosmetic treatments and procedures than most. Dr. Victoria believes in options and provides you with the most personalized choices to best suit your needs. You can find all of her incredible treatments and services in great detail here. Dr. Victoria also provides some wonderful products through Alastin that you can find more information on via our CEEC Alastin microsite. Dr. Victoria grew up in her native Colombia and moved to the United States in 1994, where she finished high school. She earned her Bachelor's degree at the University of Florida as Cum Laude with a major in Microbiology and Cell Science, and a minor in Spanish. She is a proud mother of triplet boys, and loves traveling, dancing, and tasting new foods.

Andrew Schimel, MD grew up outside of Chicago and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from the University of Michigan. He received his M.D. from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Washington University in Saint Louis. Dr. Schimel then completed his fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. Dr. Schimel's research interests encompass macular degeneration, diabetes, endophthalmitis, and vitreoretinal surgery topics including retinal detachments, diabetic retinopathy, epiretinal membranes and macular holes. Dr. Schimel's research has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts, book chapters, and national meeting presentations. Dr. Schimel is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Diabetic Research Clinical Network and the American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Schimel speaks Spanish, spends his free time with his family and friends and loves to travel.

Carlos Buznego, MD is proud to serve his "hometown" community of Miami. Born in Havana, Cuba, his family moved to the United States in 1962. Dr. Buznego attended local schools in Miami and graduated Valedictorian from Southwest High School in 1979. At Washington University in St. Louis, Dr. Buznego was a "Scholar in Medicine" accumulating various honors while earning his Bachelors and Medical degrees. Dr. Buznego was awarded the "Grand Prize in Ophthalmology" for his accomplishments at the Washington University Medical School. He completed his training in Ophthalmology at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in 1991. Dr. Buznego's specialty is ophthalmic surgery including LASIK, Laser Cataract Surgery, and Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). He is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and certified to perform laser cataract and LASIK surgery. Dr. Buznego is an active staff member at Baptist Hospital, Surgical Park Center and Baptist Medical Arts Surgery Center. He is also a voluntary Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Miami's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and the Florida International University College of Medicine. In 2012, Dr. Buznego was among the first surgeons to be certified by Glaukos to perform minimally invasive glaucoma surgery with the Glaukos i-Stent device. In 2013, Dr. Buznego was among the first surgeons to be certified by Lensar to perform the Lensar Femto-laser cataract procedure. Highly respected by his peers, Dr. Buznego has been named one of the "Best Doctors in South Florida" in several polls over the last decade. Dr. Buznego served as President of the Dade County Medical Association in 2001-2002, as the youngest President in the history of the DCMA. He was elected President of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO), serving as the youngest and first Hispanic President, establishing himself as a leader amongst Florida's Eye Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Buznego's work was recognized when he was awarded the annual prize for "Community Service", and he was also named the "Young Ophthalmologist of the Year" in 1996 by the FSO. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recognized Dr. Buznego in 2004 for his service and dedication with an Achievement Award and the Secretariat Award for State Governmental Affairs. Dr. Buznego is active in clinical research for devices and medications for Laser Cataract Surgery, LASIK, dry eyes, and implants for cataract and MIGS glaucoma surgery. He has served as Principal Investigator and Sub-Investigator for various FDA clinical trials. Dr. Buznego lectures nationally and internationally and writes articles about new techniques for laser cataract surgery, intraocular lenses, glaucoma surgery and treatment for ocular diseases. Dr. Buznego is an avid professional and collegiate sports fan. He enjoys skiing, boating, and politics.

Charles J. Kaiser, MD prepped at Ransom Everglades School in Miami, Florida and then attended Princeton University, graduating with a degree in Molecular Biology. He completed his medical training at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine in 1990 with Distinction in Research in Immunology. After his internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital, he did his residency in ophthalmology at the University of Louisville in Kentucky, where he was Chief Resident during his final year. He joined the team at the Center for Excellence in Eye Care in December 2002. Dr. Kaiser performs small incision and laser cataract surgery, pterygium surgery and glaucoma surgery. He also performs refractive surgery consisting of Custom iLASIK (blade-free LASIK), PRK, CK (Conductive Keratoplasty) and refractive lens exchange with both standard and multifocal implants. He is an investigator in several research projects including corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL), a new treatment for keratoconus and post-LASIK ectasia. He has a special interest in meibomian gland disease, a form of dry eye and utilizes the Lipiflow treatment system when indicated. In 2013, Dr. Kaiser was certified to perform laser cataract surgery on the Lensar laser system in the Medical Arts Surgery Center at Baptist Hospital. Dr. Kaiser is on staff at Baptist Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital, Jackson South Community Hospital, and Kendall Regional Medical Center. He is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Herbert Wertheim FIU College of Medicine and a volunteer faculty member at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. He also donates his services to the Open Door Clinic in Florida City as well as the National Eye Care Project. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery as well as a member of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology and the Dade County Medical Association.

Daniela Reyes-Capó, MD is a board-certified and fellowship-trained ophthalmologist who specializes in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery. She is passionate about enhancing and restoring vision to improve quality of life, using cutting-edge technology. Her clinical and surgical expertise lies in the full spectrum of anterior segment vision correction services, in addition to comprehensive ophthalmic care. Dr. Reyes-Capó is a South Florida native, born and raised in Miami, FL. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Biology from Johns Hopkins University. Afterwards, she was selected as a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Post-Baccalaureate Intramural Research Fellow, dedicating a year to full-time research. She then moved back home and obtained her medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, during which she was inducted into the esteemed Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society. She completed her residency at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, consistently ranked the #1 eye hospital and residency program in the country. She pursued fellowship training in complex cataract surgery, refractive surgery, corneal surgery, and ocular surface disease at Baylor College of Medicine, one of the busiest and most selective fellowship programs in the country. Dr. Reyes-Capó strongly believes in giving back to the community and making a meaningful difference in people's lives. She attended multiple health fairs through the University of Miami, performing glaucoma and pediatric vision screenings for the underserved Miami-Dade community. For her efforts, she was honored with the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Lee Family Community Service Award, highlighting the passion and dedication to her community. She takes this same approach with her patients, providing them with individualized care with the goal of achieving the best possible outcome. In addition to her clinical practice, she is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. She has received several awards and has published multiple articles in major journals, including the American Journal of Ophthalmology and Cornea. Additionally, she has lectured at national meetings for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgeons. Dr. Reyes-Capó is bilingual, speaking fluent English and Spanish. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and two Havanese pups. She loves traveling and kayaking on Biscayne Bay.

A graduate of Stanford University where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Matthew Shulman previously worked as a journalist for U.S. News & World Report, writing for their Health and Medicine section as well as the Best Hospitals and Graduate School rankings editions. Inspired by this experience to pursue a career in medicine, he returned to his hometown of Baltimore to attend the University of Maryland School of Medicine, graduating cum laude. Having also performed research in the Retina Division at the Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins where he was co-author and first-author of a number of published articles in peer-reviewed journals, Dr. Shulman knew he wanted to pursue a career in the endlessly fascinating and innovative field of Ophthalmology. He stayed at Maryland for residency, working at the main University Hospital, the Baltimore VA, the world-renowned Shock Trauma Center, one of the busiest trauma centers in the country, and the Greater Baltimore Medical Center where he trained in high-volume and high-acuity glaucoma, retina, and cornea clinics.

Job Titles:

• Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry

Dr. Tanya Rana received her doctorate from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2019. She was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Xavier University. During her time at OSU, Dr. Rana completed rotations at Havener Ear and Eye Institute, Columbus Ophthalmology Associates and the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. After earning her doctorate, Dr. Rana completed a year-long Ocular Disease Residency at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center where she worked with retinal and corneal specialists and learned how to manage and treat diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Post-residency, Dr. Rana worked at a medical optometry practice in Cincinnati, Ohio where she specialized in comprehensive exams, diagnosing and managing glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. She also fit specialty contact lenses (RGPs and Scleral Lenses) for keratoconus and other corneal disorders. After moving to Los Angeles, Dr. Rana completed a two month advanced practice fellowship at the Assil Gaur Eye Institute. After her fellowship, she worked at Assil Gaur Eye Institute where she provided pre- and post-operative exams for LASIK, PRK, and cataract surgery. She helped determine surgical candidacy and educated patients on post-surgical expectations. She also provided comprehensive medical eye exams, including diabetic eye exams, glaucoma screenings and dry eye evaluations. She is well versed in advanced dry eye treatments including BlephEx, IPL and TearCare. She also provided light-adjustable treatments using RxSight technology for patients with light-adjustable IOLs. Dr. Rana is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, hiking, yoga, pilates, and playing tennis.

Gaston O. Lacayo, III, MD was born in Managua, Nicaragua and relocated with his family to the United States at the age of three. He was raised in Miami, FL and graduated with Honors from Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University. Upon completion of his studies, he attended medical school at Ponce School of Medicine, in Puerto Rico, and trained as a fully bilingual physician. At Ponce School of Medicine, Dr. Lacayo was class president and voted to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society during his third year. He graduated with Honors and moved with his wife to Chicago to complete his ophthalmology residency at Rush University Medical Center where he served as chief resident in his final year. Upon graduation, he completed a subspecialty fellowship in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery at the prestigious Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, Georgia. After his fellowship training, Dr. Lacayo returned to Chicago where he accepted a position in private practice and a teaching position at Rush University. He returned to Miami after a three-year tenure as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Dr. Lacayo is a Board Certified, fellowship-trained corneal specialist who treats a wide range of patients with corneal diseases, such as keratoconus. Dr. Lacayo performs corneal transplantation (penetrating keratoplasty, ultra-thin DSEK, and DMEK), pterygium excision, small incision, and laser cataract surgery (including premium intraocular lenses) and refractive surgery (LASIK/PRK). Dr. Lacayo is also involved in Corneal Collagen Crosslinking which treats patients with Keratoconus and Post Lasik Ectasia. Aside from corneal diseases, Dr. Lacayo also provides treatment for glaucoma and diabetic eye care. In 2013, Dr. Lacayo became certified to perform femtosecond laser cataract surgery on the lensar system at the Medical Arts Surgery Center in Baptist Hospital. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), The Cornea Society, and the International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS). He has authored numerous scientific articles and book chapters. Dr. Lacayo is currently the Medical Director at Baptist Health Surgery Center and Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Florida International University's Herbert Wertheim School of Medicine. Dr. Lacayo is married with three sons and enjoys traveling, visiting art museums, and attending sporting events with his family.

Karam Alawa, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in medical and surgical treatment of complex glaucoma and cataract surgery. He is a Miami native and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering. He then earned his medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He went on to complete his ophthalmology residency at the prestigious University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and his glaucoma fellowship at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Dr. Alawa is passionate about innovation in the field of ophthalmology. He developed one of the first applications of virtual reality for portable measurement of visual fields for the diagnosis and monitoring of glaucoma and other diseases. He has been awarded a patent for his work. He has also earned various research and teaching awards throughout his career.

Job Titles:

• Staff Member at Baptist Hospital of Miami

Louis Kasner, MD joined the team at the Center for Excellence in Eye Care in 1996, specializing in Medical Retina, Vitreoretinal Surgery, and General Ophthalmology. Born and raised in Miami, Dr. Kasner received his medical degree from the University of Miami, then went on to complete Research Fellowships at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital: Ophthalmic Pathology and the National Eye Institute: Ophthalmic Pathology and Immunology. He later completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, then returned to Miami for his Clinical Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Kasner specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of macular and retinal diseases, such as macular degeneration, macular holes, retinal detachment, and diabetic retinopathy. Besides his extensive work in the retinal field, Dr. Kasner also performs general ophthalmology including small incision cataract surgery. In 2013, Dr. Kasner was certified on the Lensar femtosecond laser for cataract surgery system at the Medical Arts Surgery Center in Baptist Hospital. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Kasner is also a staff member at Baptist Hospital of Miami, Surgical Park, and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. His ambulatory affiliations include Surgical Park and Baptist Medical Arts Surgery Centers. Dr. Kasner is Board Certified in Ophthalmology and is a member of the Dade County Medical Association, Miami Ophthalmologic Society, and Club Vit. He has also co-authored numerous presentations and publications.

Lourdes A. Casuso, MD joined the team at the Center for Excellence in Eye Care in 2002. She serves as the glaucoma specialist for the group, concentrating her practice on the diagnosis, treatment, and medical and surgical management of glaucoma patients of all ages. She accepts patients on a consultative basis from other physicians, ophthalmologists and optometric doctors from throughout South Florida. Dr. Casuso received a degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida International University in 1993, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She attended the University of Miami School of Medicine from 1993 to 1997. She was awarded membership to the Honor Society Alpha Omega Alpha as a senior medical student and obtained her Medical Doctor degree with honors in 1997. Subsequently, Dr. Casuso completed twelve months of internship training in Internal Medicine at the busy Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Casuso received rigorous and extensive training in ophthalmology with world-renowned professors in this specialty at the number one academic eye center Bascom Palmer Eye Institute from 1998 to 2001. After completing her ophthalmology specialty training, Dr. Casuso spent another year at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute concentrating her efforts in the care of glaucoma patients. She completed the Glaucoma Fellowship training program in June of 2002. Dr. Casuso is a member of several medical and ophthalmology specialty organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Medical Association (AMA), the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO), the Florida Medical Association (FMA), the Miami Ophthalmology Association (MOA), and the Miami Dade County Medical Association. As an alumna of the University of Miami, Dr. Casuso has been involved in mentoring young medical students interested in her field. She has been recognized by Florida International University as an outstanding alumnus. She has published research papers in major peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals and participates in groundbreaking clinical research. Dr. Casuso volunteers as a speaker in outreach educational programs organized by Baptist Hospital in an effort to inform the public about the risks of glaucoma and available treatments. She also offers her expertise to many low-income patients free of charge through several organizations. Dr. Casuso was born in Cuba and so is fluent in both Spanish and English. In addition to her dedicated care of patients with glaucoma, Dr. Casuso is the proud mother of four children. As a glaucoma specialist, Dr. Casuso's areas of expertise include:

Job Titles:

• Professor and Founding Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology

Pedro Francisco Lopez, MD is the Director for Retina and Vitreous Diseases at the Center For Excellence In Eye Care. Born in Havana, Cuba, and raised in Miami, Dr. Lopez graduated Valedictorian at Christopher Columbus High School in 1978. His high school honors and achievements were just the beginning of the many accolades he received on both professional and personal levels. In 1982, Dr. Lopez graduated Cum Laude from Harvard University, with a degree in A. B. Biochemical Science. He then returned to Miami to attend the University of Miami School Of Medicine and focused on the many facets of Macular Surgery. He graduated in 1986 with Distinction in Research. While at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Dr. Lopez became the first student to graduate with a perfect academic record. He completed his Internship in Internal Medicine at Brigham & Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School and then completed his Ophthalmology Residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Lopez has had several teaching and administrative responsibilities at Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Miami, Emory University, University of Southern California and Harvard Medical School. Other academic appointments include: Fellow of Heed Ophthalmic Foundation, Clinical Associate in Ophthalmology at Emory University School of Medicine and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. Dr. Lopez is both Board Certified and an examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology. He is an active member of several Professional Societies, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Society of Heed Fellows, Vitreous and Retina Societies and the American Medical Association. Dr. Lopez has been an author of many articles and book chapters in macula, vitreous and retinal diseases. He also serves as a Scientific Referee for various Ophthalmology Journals, such as the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, International Ophthalmology and The British Journal of Ophthalmology. Dr. Lopez is a professor and founding chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine at FIU. The Center For Excellence In Eye Care is pleased to have Dr. Lopez as their Director of Retina and Vitreous Diseases. His extensive academic, professional and personal achievements truly make him an asset to our team of physicians.

Prashant Parekh MD, MBA is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in the Medical and Surgical management of vitreoretinal disease who has joined our retina team at the Center for Excellence in Eye Care to officially make our retina division an enthusiastic team of four. Dr. Parekh was born and raised in Miami. He began high school at Southwest Miami Senior High and went onto graduate from the School for Advanced Studies dual-enrollment program at Miami Dade College. Dr. Parekh has always had an inquisitive nature to understand fundamentally how things work, and paired with his interest in medicine, he pursued a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering at Florida International University. He then completed his medical training at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. During medical school, he began to realize how complex the healthcare system was from both a science as well as financial/economic standpoint, so he applied to a rigorous healthcare Masters in Business Administration program at the University of Miami School of Business Administration, which he completed after his third year of medical school. After finishing both MD and MBA studies in 2013, he stayed in Miami and worked as an intern in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami Health System. He is a proud Miami Hurricane! Inspired by the complexity of the eye as well as his younger brother with oculocutaneous albinism, Dr. Parekh embarked on his residency training at the prestigious University of Iowa Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. During his residency, he gained an immense appreciation for the diseases of the retina and vitreous and continued to refine his knowledge and skills as a Vitreoretinal Surgery fellow at the Cincinnati Eye Institute/University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Parekh firmly believes in helping patients understand their conditions and treatment options. Diseases involving the retina are often sight-threatening, and he vows to guide his patients every step of the way. Dr. Parekh has presented his research at national Ophthalmology conferences and his work has been published in peer-reviewed journals as well as the world-renowned EyeRounds Atlas. You can find these materials listed below. Additionally, you can follow Dr. Parekh on Twitter (@ParekhMD), as he enjoys sharing the latest, cutting-edge information about the retina! Dr. Parekh is also fluent in Spanish and Gujarati. We are fortunate to have him on our Retina team.