Luis E. Fernandez de Castro, M.D.

Luis E. Fernández De Castro, MD specializes in Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Cataract Surgery, Corneal and External Diseases, and Corneal Transplant Surgery.

A graduate of the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá DC, Colombia, then completed his Internship and residency in Ophthalmology where he served as chief resident, and Fellowship in Cornea and External Diseases at the Storm Eye Institute, Medical University South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. Prior to his residency, he completed a two–year research fellowship in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery at Magill Research Center for Vision Correction.

Dr. Fernández De Castro has experience treating many types of ocular morbidities including cataracts, corneal infection and inflammation, allergies, dry eye, glaucoma, and systemic diseases such as diabetes that affect the eye. He also performs a variety of specialized surgeries that include, but are not limited to, micro–incisional cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens implantation, ocular surface reconstruction, pterygium excision, and corneal transplantation. He has expertise in endothelial keratoplasty (also known as DSAEK), a form of transplantation in which only the deepest portion of the cornea is transplanted. This novel technique has revolutionized corneal surgery allowing for faster healing and more stable postoperative ocular integrity. His research interests include advances in cataract and refractive technology, and cornea and external disease.

Dr. Fernández De Castro has a number of honors and awards including the Award for Exceptional Instruction to Resident Teaching, and the Program Director’s Award, an honor given to the top resident who most embodies the personal traits one would want in a physician. He also received Best Paper of Session at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and presented an Award Wining Video at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons in Stockholm. He was named one of the top 250 innovators in the field of premium IOL surgery by the publishers and editors of Premier Surgeon.

Dr. Fernández De Castro is a member of the International Society of Refractive Surgery, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has published multiple research papers in the leading ophthalmology journals and has presented at several national and international meetings. He has also authored in several book chapters describing the medical and surgical management of cataracts and corneal diseases. While he has received many academic awards, Dr. Fernández De Castro’s major focus is on providing excellent patient care. He enjoys building relationships with patients and derives personal and professional satisfaction from helping patients while obtaining the best clinical results possible.

EDUCATION

Medical Education

  • Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá DC, Colombia
    • Doctor of Medicine, 1991 – 1996

Internship

  • Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
    • Rotating, 2008 – 2009

Residency

  • Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
    • Department of Ophthalmology – Storm Eye Institute
    • 2009 – 2012

Fellowship

  • Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
    • Cornea and External Disease
    • Department of Ophthalmology – Storm Eye Institute
    • 2012 – 2013

Other

  • Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá DC, Colombia
    • Department of Ophthalmology
    • Residency Ophthalmology 1998 – 2001
  • Magill Research Center for Vision Correction, Charleston, SC
    • Post-Doctoral Fellow Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery 2003 – 2005

LICENSES

  • Florida State License, 2013
  • South Carolina License, 2012

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Board Eligible, American Board of Ophthalmology
  • Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)
  • Associación Colombiana de Facultades de Medicina (ASCOFAME) – Colombia

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

  • American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery

Honors

  • Poster Honorable Mention, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2005
  • Best Paper of Session, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2006
  • Best Paper of Session, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 2007
  • Award Winning Video, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons 2007
  • Award for Exceptional Instruction to Resident Teaching 2006 – 2007
  • Premiere Surgeon P250 Leading Innovators in the Field of Premium IOL Implant Surgery since 2009
  • Storm Eye Institute Program Director Award 2010 – 2011
  • F1000 Associate Faculty Member Refractive Error & Refractive Surgery March 2012 – December 2012

AFFILIATIONS

  • Coral Gables Surgery Center, Coral Gables, FL
  • South Florida Surgery Center, South Miami, FL
  • Baptist Eye Surgery Center, Sunrise, FL
  • Surgery Center of Weston, Weston, FL