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Dr. Banker is a fellowship trained retina surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal disease and ocular oncology. He was the Valedictorian and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Georgetown University, where he completed his undergraduate degree. He was accepted early into medical school and attained his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, graduating Cum Laude. Dr. Banker remained in Washington D.C. to complete his internship at Washington Hospital Center and was selected to serve as the Chief Resident of the Ophthalmology Residency program at Georgetown University Hospital.

Dr. Banker completed his Surgical Retina Fellowship at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL; the number-one ranked eye hospital in the United States. While studying at Bascom, Dr. Banker performed extensive research on topics including retinal detachments, ocular trauma, macular holes, epiretinal membranes, macular degeneration and retinal diseases. Dr. Banker has comprehensive training in complex surgical cases, having practiced in a high volume environment with the nation’s leading surgeons at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute.

Dr. Banker is quite active in research and education in the Vitreoretinal field. He has authored several publications and presented research at over twenty national and international academic conferences on subjects such as macular holes, epiretinal membranes and retinal detachments. He has received numerous honors and awards for his work. Most recently, he was named a Retina Society Advocacy Ambassador, he was awarded a research travel grant from the National Eye Institute (NEI), and received the “Resident Excellence Award” from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS). While at Georgetown University Hospital, Dr. Banker was a multi-year recipient of the prestigious “Patient Care Award,” an honor he was nominated for by patients and hospital staff members for excellence in patient care. He also served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Georgetown University Journal of Health Science.

Dr. Banker is a member of the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), the Prevention of Blindness Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). Outside of his involvement in professional organizations, he has volunteered his time and surgical expertise at the Agarwal Eye Hospital in India.

Dr. Banker resides in Sarasota, where he enjoys the outdoors, gardening and traveling in his free time.

Locations served: Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Englewood, University Park

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Dr. Priya Mathews is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cataract, refractive, and corneal surgeon at Center For Sight. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, graduating summa cum laude and valedictorian of her class. She received her Medical Degree from Johns Hopkins University, and also earned her Master’s in Public Health, with a concentration in epidemiology and biostatistics, at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Mathews completed her ophthalmology residency at Harkness Eye Institute at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, followed by a fellowship in Cornea, External Diseases, and Refractive Surgery at Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.

Dr. Mathews specializes in cataract, cornea, and refractive surgery. She is an expert in the diagnosis and management of cornea and external diseases, including Keratoconus, Fuchs’ Dystrophy, autoimmune diseases, and severe dry eye disease. Dr. Mathews is dedicated to offering to her patients the most advanced surgeries and procedures available, including partial thickness corneal transplantation (DMEK and DSAEK), full-thickness corneal transplantation, corneal crosslinking, intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy, thermal pulsation, blepharoexfoliation, and laser vision correction with LASIK and PRK.

Dr. Mathews has extensive scientific research experience, publishing over 30 peer-reviewed publications in top medical journals. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), Women in Ophthalmology (WIO), and the International Society of Refractive Surgery. Additionally, Dr. Mathews has a particular interest in combatting the global burden of corneal blindness. She has volunteered for numerous medical and surgical mission trips around the world, including Haiti, Guatemala, India, The Philippines, and Bolivia. She has received multiple grants to support related initiatives, including the ASCRS International Service Grant and the prestigious AAO Hoskins Center IRIS Registry Research Fund Award. Dr. Mathews is the cofounder and Executive Vice President of Keratoplasty Alliance International, a nonprofit organization which aims to discover and develop novel methods of increasing the supply of donor corneal tissue worldwide.

Dr. Mathews lives in Sarasota with her husband, Joaquin, and their two young children, Isabella and Leonardo. She is a certified Vinyasa and Hatha yoga instructor and practices daily to strengthen and rejuvenate her body, mind, and spirit.

Locations served: Sarasota, University Park

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Dr. Charles Putrino II is licensed through the State of Florida as a Certified Optometrist. He has practiced in the Sarasota area for more than 25 years. A native of Binghamton, NY, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from State University of New York in Binghamton, NY, and his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Optometry degrees from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Putrino provides comprehensive primary eye care and specializes in anterior segment disease, co-management of refractive and cataract surgery, contact lenses, and sports vision. Past affiliations and memberships include The National Academy of Sports Vision and American Optometric Association.

Dr. Putrino’s professional accomplishments include: co-founding and directing a professional and consumer eye care device company that featured the patented Eyegenie®; founding and directing a web-based contact lens directory for eye care clinicians (www.Lensfindr.com); and internationally reselling new and used ophthalmic instruments and optical products.

Athletics and physical fitness have been an important part of Dr. Putrino’s life, with a strong focus on tennis and golf. He has actively competed in United States Tennis Association tournaments, United States Golf Association tournaments and Golf Channel Amateur Tour competitions.

Dr. Putrino lives in Sarasota with his wife, Regina; his two children, Charles and Jacqueline, who are active in competitive tennis and golf; and his dog, Yodi.

Location served: University Park

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Dr. Melissa Hammond is a board-certified optometric physician who provides a wide range of primary eye care services to Center for Sight patients, including vision testing, eyewear prescriptions, specialty contact lenses and the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. She also provides pre-operative testing and post-operative care for cataract and LASIK surgery patients.

Dr. Hammond decided to become an optometrist when she was 10 years old and was fitted with her first pair of contact lenses. Her family optometrist encouraged her to pursue a career in optometry. After graduating from Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island, she moved to Deland, Florida to attend the Honors Program at Stetson University. She continued her undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She was granted a rare offer of early admission to the College of Optometry at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Vision Science and graduated with Honors with a Doctor of Optometry degree. She received the Vision Care Inc. Award for Clinical Excellence in 2002.

After seven years of private practice in Sarasota, Dr. Hammond joined the Center for Sight team. She is active in the community as well as in the profession of optometry. She is a past president of the Rotary Club of East Manatee, a past president of the Manasota Optometric Society, and a business partner of Gene Witt Elementary School in East Manatee. Dr. Hammond is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Florida Optometric Association, and the Manasota Optometric Society.

Dr. Hammond has a son and a daughter. They enjoy frequent trips to Disney World, where Dr. Hammond has completed numerous half marathons. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her children, baking, crafts, and traveling.

Location served: University Park

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Dr. Rachel Randolph graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences; concentration in Pre-Optometry and a minor in Sociology. She then attended Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania where she graduated with her Doctorate of Optometry. While in school, she completed various intern and externships training in carious specialty clinics including pediatrics, soft contact lens fits, low vision, dry eye disease, and other ocular diseases. Throughout her optometric training, she received the Advanced Studies in Specialty Contact Lens Certificate.

Dr. Randolph completed her optometric residency in Ocular Disease with an emphasis in Cornea and Contact Lenses at Center For Sight before joining the team full time. During her residency she was directly involved in patient care in both primary and specialty care settings. She is also a trustee for the Manasota Optometric Society.

Born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Dr. Randolph now makes her home in Venice. In her free time she enjoys reading, going to the beach, and spending time with her family.

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Dr. Patrick Nelson is a residency-trained optometric physician who provides a wide variety of primary care services to Center For Sight patients including vision testing, eyewear prescriptions, contact lenses and the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. He also provides pre-operative testing and follow-up care for cataract and LASIK surgery patients.

Originally from Massachusetts, Dr. Nelson earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology-Psychology from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, and his Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts. In 2015, he completed his residency in ocular disease at Omni Eye Services in Atlanta, Georgia. After residency, he went on to work as the Clinical Director at a practice in Brookfield, Wisconsin, where he performed consultations, pre- and post-operative care, surgical co-management, comprehensive patient education and managed clinical operations.

Dr. Nelson is currently a member of the American Optometric Association and the Florida Optometric Association. He has completed many externships at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chrycy Eye Group, Eye Centers of South Florida and South End Community Health Center.

Dr. Nelson lives in Lakewood Ranch with his wife Ashley, where they enjoy the beach, trying new restaurants, cooking new recipes and exploring the area with their goldendoodle.

Locations served: Venice Island, University Park

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