Our Doctors
Ivan J. Suñer, MD, MBA
Dr. Suñer is a retina and macula specialist with 20 years experience. He has been in practice since 1996 and has served as a professor at Washington University-St. Louis, University of Miami-Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, and Duke University Eye Center. He has been recognized as Professor of the Year at these institutions on five occasions.
Dr. Suñer has published 50 articles in peer-reviewed journals. He is the author of a monograph on quality of life for patients with age-related macular degeneration, and a book chapter on proliferative diabetic retinopathy. He has performed funded basic science research on the biology of nicotine and cigarette smoke on the retina, specifically in macular degeneration. He has been involved in clinical research programs in the areas of age-related macular degeneration, optical coherence tomography, ultra-widefield angiography scanning laser in retinal vascular disease, digital imaging techniques and technologies for diabetic retinopathy screening, and new instrumentation in sutureless retina surgery.
Dr. Suñer earned his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude from Harvard University and his medical degree from Yale University. He completed his residency in ophthalmology as well as his fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at University of Miami-Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. After four years in the U.S. Air Force at Scott Air Force Base as Chief of Ophthalmology and at Washington University-St. Louis as instructor in ophthalmology, he served for five years as an assistant professor of ophthalmology at University of Miami-Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and as chief of ophthalmology section at Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He served for three years as an associate professor of ophthalmology at the Duke Eye Center and as the chief of ophthalmology section and associate chief of surgery service at Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Suñer maintains memberships, fellowships and/or examiner status with the following groups and associations:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Board of Ophthalmology
- The Retina Society
- American Society of Retina Specialists
- Macula Society
- Association for Research In Vision and Ophthalmology
- Oral Boards Examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology
For more information on Dr. Suñer, click here.
Marc C. Peden, MD
Dr. Peden is a retina and macula specialist who completed his training in 2009. After completing his fellowship at the University of Florida, he joined the faculty where he most recently served as division director of Vitreo-retinal Disease and Surgery, as well as, the fellowship director. He continues to maintain an adjunct appointment with the University of Florida Department of Ophthalmology where he volunteers his time lecturing residents and conducting translational research.
Dr. Peden has published and/or co-published 15 articles in peer reviewed journals. At the University of Florida he was involved in multiple clinical trials and funded basic science research, including a sentinel gene therapy trial for treatment of Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis. His other primary research interests include new techniques for drug and gene therapy delivery to the retina and choroid, pharmacologic treatment for mitigation of proliferative vitreo retinopathy and macular scarring, as well as utilization of computer simulation as an adjunct for medical education.
Dr. Peden earned his bachelor’s degree with high honors from the University of Florida and completed his medical degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine with academic honors. He was elected as a junior member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and the Chapman chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society. After completing a categorical medicine internship at the University of Florida, he completed his Ophthalmology residency training at the University of Florida and is fellowship trained in vitreo-retinal surgery and disease.
Dr. Peden maintains memberships and/or certifications with the following groups and associations:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Board of Ophthalmology
- American Society of Retina Specialists
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
For more information on Dr. Peden, click here.
Nadim M. Rayess, MD
Dr Rayess is a retina and macula specialist who completed his training in vitreoretinal surgery at Stanford University and is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Dr Rayess has published over 40 articles focusing on medical and surgical diseases of the vitreous, retina and macula in top peer reviewed journals. He has also contributed to over 60 abstracts presented at national and international ophthalmic meetings where he has received travel grants to attend and has also first-authored book chapters. His research interests span a wide range of medical and surgical diseases of the retina including: Age-related macular degeneration, Diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, macular edema, retinal detachment, posterior vitreous detachment, retinal tears, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, complex lens surgeries and scleral fixated intraocular lenses.
Dr Rayess received his Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Irvine where he graduated summa cum laude and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key societies. He received his medical degree from the American University of Beirut and completed a retina research fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. He completed his internship at the Detroit medical center and his Ophthalmology training at the University of Southern California. Dr Rayess then specialized in Vitreoretinal surgery at the world-renowned Stanford University.
In his free time, Dr Rayess enjoys traveling, watching and playing sports including tennis, football, basketball and hockey.
Dr. Rayess maintains memberships and/or certifications with the following groups and associations:
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Board of Ophthalmology
American Society of Retina Specialists
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
For more information on Dr. Rayess, click here