Our Ophthalmologists

A Florida native, Dr. Shoemaker gained early admission to medical school and received combined B.S. and M.D. degrees from the University of Florida. Accepted without the usual requirement of an internship, he then completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. In 1983, Dr. Shoemaker founded Center for Sight, which is now acclaimed as one of the country’s finest eye care facilities.

Dr. Shoemaker is a “super specialist,” a doctor who devotes his entire practice to one discipline, in this case, cataract and lens replacement surgery. Dr. Shoemaker is singularly focused on delivering unsurpassed results and consequent to that commitment, he has performed over 100,000 cataract procedures, resulting in Center For Sight being ranked #1 in the U.S. for advanced lens surgery.

Dr. Shoemaker is board-certified by both the American Board of Ophthalmology and the American Board of Eye Surgery and is consistently honored as one of America’s “Top Doctors” by Castle Connolly Medical. He has been named a “Top Doctor” by U.S. News and World Report and is included on the Premier Surgeon 300, a list of the most influential eye surgeons in the United States. He was recently honored with the “Compassionate Doctor Award” due to the patient reviews he received on Vitals.com. Locally, Dr. Shoemaker was voted “Best Ophthalmologist” and received the “Greater Good” Award for his leadership of Mission Cataract, Center For Sight’s annual charitable event. In 2012, Dr. Shoemaker established the Center For Sight Foundation in order to continue his 30 year commitment of providing sight-saving surgeries to people with no means to pay through Mission Cataract. The Center For Sight Foundation provides over 100 free sight-saving cataract surgeries each year.

In addition to his leadership at Center For Sight, in 2019, Dr. Shoemaker founded US Eye, a management organization developed to expand the Center For Sight vertical delivery model across the nation. The mission of US Eye is to become the most admired brand in eye care. With Center For Sight at the organization’s core, the company has a strong foundation for growth and name recognition that speaks for itself. Through Center For Sight and now US Eye, Dr. Shoemaker continues to pave the way in the eye care industry — his lifelong passion.

Dr. Shoemaker is married with two grown children and a new addition, also named David. He and his wife, Yara, make their home in Sarasota, where he enjoys his favorite pastimes of reading, traveling and chasing an amazing six year old everywhere he goes.

Location served: Sarasota

Awards & Honors

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As a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, Dr. Kim is committed to delivering exceptional cataract and glaucoma care to Center For Sight patients. Dr. Kim brings the unrivaled combination of second-to-none medical training and extensive experience with the latest technology to achieve superior results.

As a native of the Pacific Northwest near Seattle, Dr. Kim graduated magna cum laude from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. He went on to earn his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. Returning to the University of Washington, he continued his education with an internship in medicine followed by a residency in ophthalmology.

Dr. Kim then joined the premier New York Eye & Ear Infirmary in New York City for a distinguished fellowship specializing in glaucoma. Dr. Kim is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the American Glaucoma Society, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has co-authored numerous research papers, most notably the consensus report on trabeculectomy for the Association of International Glaucoma Societies – guidelines published for all glaucoma surgeons worldwide. Dr. Kim serves on various advisory boards and is active in clinical research, where he is the principal investigator for new glaucoma therapies including novel medications, minimally or microinvasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS), and sustained released devices. Dr. Kim has been honored as one of America’s “Top Doctors” by the prestigious Top Doctors list published annually by Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd. He is a clinical assistant professor at Florida State University and has created a MIGS Center of Excellence at Center For Sight.

At Center For Sight, Dr. Kim performs Laser Cataract Surgery with lens replacement and individualized treatments for glaucoma. As a specialist, he is skilled in all MIGS procedures including iStent, Hydrus, and Xen, in addition to traditional procedures such as laser therapy, trabeculectomy, and tube shunts. Dr. Kim is committed to bringing his patients the best care via the latest medical advances by remaining on the leading edge of research and treatment.

Dr. Kim leads an active life in Sarasota with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys taking in a few rounds of golf and running.

Locations served: Sarasota, Venice

Awards & Honors

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Dr. Soscia is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is a decorated Army officer, having served in the Persian Gulf War in Iraq. Following his military career, Dr. Soscia was admitted to the University of Florida College of Medicine, where he graduated with honors in research and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

Dr. Soscia has extensive experience in cataract and lens replacement surgery with advanced premium intraocular lenses. He also is experienced in refractive procedures such as LASIK, CK and refractive lens exchange. Dr. Soscia has published papers and has given many lectures at national meetings on topics in refractive surgery as well as cataract surgery and intraocular lens technology. He also serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at LECOM.

Board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Soscia is a member of the American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association, Manatee Medical Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

Dr. Soscia lives in Bradenton with his wife, Karen, and their two daughters, Sarah and Maria. He is dedicated to practicing Kung Fu, studying the Northern Shaolin-Mi Jong style. He also enjoys weightlifting, running and fishing.

Locations served: Sarasota, University Park

Awards & Honors

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Dr. Berlie is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in LASIK and premium lens cataract surgery. He has been serving the Naples community for over 20 years. Dr. Berlie achieves superior visual outcomes for his cataract patients by utilizing the latest lens technology combined with state of the art equipment. His expertise in this area has led the Center For Sight Naples office to be recognized as the “Best Eye Center” in Naples, FL for the past 15 years. In addition to laser cataract surgery, Dr. Berlie performs vision correction procedures including All Laser LASIK, Epi-LASEK, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) and Implantable Contact Lenses. He is also skilled in reconstructive and cosmetic eyelid surgery. He has been honored as one of America’s “Top Doctors” by the prestigious Top Doctors list, published annually by Castle Connolly Medical, Ltd.

Dr. Berlie completed his undergraduate training at the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada and the California State University of San Bernardino where he received the California State University of San Bernardino Research Scholarship Award. He then attended Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska where he graduated Cum Laude, was elected as Class President, and received the Senior of the Year Award. He completed his internship in internal medicine also at Creighton University Medical Center.

Dr. Berlie continued his education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he completed his ophthalmology residency and received the awards of Chief Resident and the Resident of the Year Award. Dr. Berlie then went on to Saint Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City to complete his fellowship training in Oculoplastic and Aesthetic Laser Surgery.

Location served: Naples

Awards & Honors

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Dr. De Rojas is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cataract, refractive and corneal surgeon who also serves as the Director of Refractive Surgery at Center For Sight. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston College, graduating at the top of his class and from the Honors Program, and then received his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his surgical internship and ophthalmology residency training at Columbia University Medical Center, where he was Chief Surgical Resident, followed by a Cornea, External Diseases, and Refractive Surgery fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.

Dr. De Rojas specializes in premium and laser-assisted cataract and lens replacement surgery, as well as refractive surgery with LASIK, PRK, and the Implantable Collamer Lens (Evo ICL). He is also an expert in the medical and surgical management of Fuchs’ Dystrophy, Keratoconus, and other conditions of the cornea and ocular surface. Dr. De Rojas frequently performs minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), often in conjunction with cataract surgery.

Dr. De Rojas has extensive scientific research experience, authoring peer-reviewed publications, chapters, reviews, editorials, and paper presentations. In addition, he has presented his research at national and international academic conferences and has received funding from the National Institute of Health. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the International Society of Refractive Surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. De Rojas enjoys reading, hiking, exercise, golf, travel, and spending quality time with his wife Dr. Priya Mathews and their 2 young children Isabella and Leo.

Foreign Languages: Spanish (fluent), French (working knowledge)

Locations served: Sarasota, Venice, Englewood

Awards & Honors

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Dr. Brinnig is a board-certified ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract surgery and glaucoma management.

Dr. Brinnig received his Medical Degree from the University of California. Both his internship and residency in Ophthalmology were completed at the Pacific Presbyterian Medical Center. Dr. Brinnig also completed his Masters in Medical Management at the Heinz School Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. His Ph.D. is in physiological optics from the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Brinnig was in private practice in California and the Northeast prior to moving to Florida.

Dr. Brinnig’s work has been published in several international publications including: the Annals of Internal Medicine, The American Journal of Ophthalmology and the British Journal of Ophthalmology; and has presented original research at the American Academy of Optometry. He has also been asked to lecture by the American College of Surgeons and the Barkan Eye Society.

Dr. Brinnig is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Florida Medical Association. He has been repeatedly selected as one of “America’s Top Ophthalmologists.”

He speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Polish fluently and is conversant in German and Russian.

Location served: Naples

Awards & Honors

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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

Awards & Honors

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Dr. Carter is a board-certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in the specialty of Glaucoma.

Dr. Carter was born and raised in Sarasota, Florida. She attended Georgia Tech, where she earned a degree in mechanical engineering. After college, Dr. Carter worked for the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where she contributed to patents on products ranging from baby diapers to surgeon’s gowns. During her time at Kimberly-Clark, she realized her passion was in medicine and returned to medical school at the University of South Florida, where she earned the honor of joining the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.

Dr. Carter completed her ophthalmology residency at the University of South Florida, serving as Chief Resident. She completed an additional year of fellowship training in the specialty of glaucoma at the University of South Florida.

At Center For Sight, Dr. Carter treats general ophthalmology patients, in addition to glaucoma patients. She works closely with her glaucoma patients to develop an effective treatment plan to maintain and protect their eyesight. She feels that one of the most rewarding parts of her career is the opportunity to build long-term relationships with her patients; many of whom now feel like family.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three children, her husband, Jason, and their many pets! She is passionate about healthy living and wellness. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Collier County Medical Society and the Florida Society of Ophthalmology.

Location served: Naples

Awards & Honors

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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, Venice

Awards & Honors

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Dr. Palmon is a board-certified, fellowship-trained cataract, refractive and corneal surgeon. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Georgetown University, graduating magna cum laude, and then received his medical degree from the Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine internship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a residency at Wills Eye Institute at Thomas Jefferson University. His fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery was completed at the University of Minnesota. 

Dr. Palmon specializes in premium cataract and lens replacement surgery, as well as laser vision correction with LASIK, Epi-LASEK and implantable lenses. He is sure to employ the most advanced treatments available for his patients including corneal cross-linking and corneal transplantation with Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). Dr. Palmon also provides medical and surgical treatments for glaucoma. 

Dr. Palmon is a diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology and certified by the American Board of Eye Surgery in refractive surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the International Society of Refractive Surgery to name a few. He has authored numerous scientific articles in ophthalmology journals and is a frequent speaker at ophthalmic symposia. 

Originally from Philadelphia, he moved to Florida in 1994. He and his wife are empty nesters, having raised four adult children. In his spare time he enjoys tennis, biking, skiing and golfing. 

Locations served: Southwest Florida Eye Care– Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral

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Dr. Smolyar is a board-certified cataract and refractive surgeon with over 25 years of experience. He received his medical degree from Kursk State Medical University in the former Soviet Union. He completed an ophthalmology residency at the University of Louisville and a fellowship in Neuro-Ophthalmology at Michigan State University. He completed another ophthalmology residency at Ben Gurion University in Israel prior to coming to the United States. 

Dr. Smolyar specializes in premium cataract and lens replacement surgery, as well as laser vision correction with LASIK, photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK). He also has significant expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive eyelid surgery. Dr. Smolyar is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. He was in private practice in Louisville, Kentucky for many years where he also served as a clinical Associate Professor at University of Louisville Department of Ophthalmology. 

He has been living in Fort Myers since 2018 with his wife and dogs; they have raised three children together. In his spare time, Dr. Smolyar enjoys swimming, scuba diving, kayaking and fishing. He has dedicated time to providing free surgical eye care in underserved countries and considers that to be one of his passions. 

Locations served: Southwest Florida Eye Care – Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral

Maureen Traina is a Florida-licensed Physician Assistant (PA-C) who currently serves as an ophthalmic PA at Center For Sight. Maureen earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Central Michigan University. Prior to her graduate schooling, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Albion College.

Prior to joining Center For Sight, Maureen practiced Urgent Care & Emergency medicine in Colorado. She has been a PA for 10 years and enjoys taking care of patients and forming strong relationships with them. At Center For Sight, Maureen operates the LENSAR Laser which allows the surgeon to create the optimal corneal incision and softly fragment your cataract in order to remove it in a more efficient manner. Maureen will also be providing dry eye treatments to patients.

She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and is proud to be one of very few physician assistants that work in Ophthalmology.

Maureen lives in Sarasota with her husband, Chris, and their three children Cora, Cayman and Magnolia. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, reading, baking and riding her Peloton.

Location served: Sarasota

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