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Dr. Thomas B. Gillette is a board-certified ophthalmologist who cares for patients across the spectrum of medical and surgical eye conditions. He brings a patient-first approach and takes time to understand personal goals before recommending treatment, whether that means refractive cataract options, advanced laser glaucoma therapies, or addressing ocular surface disorders. Dr. Gillette studied at Cornell University and worked in corneal tissue donation and transplantation prior to medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans. He completed internship at the University of Washington and ophthalmology residency at the University of South Florida, where he served as chief resident. His clinical interests include cornea and external disease, pterygium surgery, laser vision correction, and modern cataract surgery—including femtosecond laser–assisted techniques—delivered with attention to safety, precision, and clear communication.

Dr. Ian Abban Thompson is an ophthalmologist specializing in retinal conditions, providing care at Eye Associates of New Mexico's locations in Albuquerque, Farmington, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe. He holds an MD and an MPH, integrating clinical expertise with public health insights to address eye diseases affecting the retina. His educational background includes an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a medical degree from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, followed by fellowships in uveitis and ocular immunology at the National Eye Institute and vitreoretinal surgery at Wolfe Eye Clinic. Dr. Thompson is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists, and the American Uveitis Society. These affiliations ensure he remains current with advancements in retinal care, offering comprehensive treatment for conditions such as uveitis, vitreoretinal disorders, and other retinal diseases.

Dr. Gavin Gorrell is a comprehensive ophthalmologist who enjoys caring for patients through every stage of their eye health journey. He provides routine exams, timely diagnosis, and clear guidance on treatment options, with a special focus on helping patients understand cataracts and when surgery may be appropriate. Dr. Gorrell completed medical school at the University of New Mexico, followed by residency training at Tufts New England Eye Center in Boston. He values practical, patient-first communication and works closely with the broader Eye Associates of New Mexico team to coordinate testing, surgery scheduling, and follow-up so care feels seamless. Whether updating a glasses prescription, monitoring chronic conditions, or planning cataract surgery, he emphasizes comfort, safety, and realistic visual goals tailored to each person’s lifestyle. Patients appreciate his calm, thorough manner and his willingness to answer questions in plain language so decisions feel confident and informed.

Dr. Allison Stradiotto is a comprehensive ophthalmologist at Eye Associates of New Mexico who provides thoughtful, patient-centered care for a wide range of vision needs. She enjoys building long-term relationships and helping patients understand their eye health, whether they are coming in for a routine exam, cataract evaluation, or ongoing management of chronic conditions. Her surgical interests include modern cataract surgery with individualized lens choices designed to match each patient’s goals. Dr. Stradiotto earned her medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine (Phoenix campus). She completed an internship at Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver and ophthalmology residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. As part of a large, multispecialty team, she coordinates care seamlessly and strives to deliver clear communication, practical guidance, and reliable outcomes for patients across northern New Mexico.

Dr. Renato J. Yupari is an ophthalmologist at Eye Associates of New Mexico whose work focuses on helping people see clearly again through thoughtful, evidence-based cataract care. He provides comprehensive evaluations, discusses lens choices in plain language, and guides patients through each step of surgery and recovery so expectations are clear and results align with daily-life goals. Dr. Yupari completed both medical school and ophthalmology residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, where he trained across a wide range of eye conditions and modern surgical techniques. In clinic, he takes time to understand how blurred vision affects reading, driving, and hobbies, then builds a personalized plan that may include advanced intraocular lens options for astigmatism or enhanced range of vision. He values teamwork and coordinates closely with the Eye Associates care pathway to make the experience smooth from first visit to final check-in.

Dr. Ken M. Downes is a board-certified ophthalmologist who brings a wealth of training and a personal connection to New Mexico to his practice. A native of the state, he graduated summa cum laude in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University before returning home to earn his medical degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. His comprehensive training includes an internship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, an ophthalmology residency at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco where he served as Chief Resident, and specialized surgical training at the renowned Aravind Eye Hospital in India. Dr. Downes further honed his expertise through a fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the prestigious Oregon Health Sciences University Casey Eye Institute. He joined Southwest Eyecare Specialists in 2017 and is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. He is published in medical journals, has presented his research nationally, and previously served as the New Mexico counselor to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Fluent in English and Spanish, Dr. Downes is dedicated to providing advanced, compassionate eye care to his community.

Dr. Kevin Sitko, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. He specializes in neuro-ophthalmology, focusing on diseases that affect the neurologic pathways of vision and the control of eye movements. His expertise includes managing conditions such as ischemic optic neuropathy, papilledema, optic neuritis, stroke-related vision issues, hereditary optic neuropathy, double vision, cranial neuropathies affecting eye movements, myasthenia gravis, and neurodegenerative conditions with visual and pupillary abnormalities. In addition to neuro-ophthalmic care, Dr. Sitko has clinical interests in electrophysiologic testing of the eye for diagnosing ocular pathology, including full-field electroretinogram (ERG), multifocal ERG, electro-oculogram (EOG), pattern ERG, and visual evoked potentials (VEP). He also treats inflammatory conditions of the eye, known as uveitis, and performs cataract surgeries. Fluent in Spanish, he is able to provide care to Spanish-speaking patients, enhancing communication and understanding.

Onelys Ariane Uzcategui, MD grew up in the colorful and culturally rich city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, then went on to earn her Medical Doctorate from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 2014. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the same institution before heading to New York for her Ophthalmology residency at BronxCare Health System. Inspired by the intricate and life-changing work of retinal care, Dr. Uzcategui pursued a two-year fellowship in surgical and clinical retina in scenic Eugene, Oregon. As a Retina Specialist, she brings together the clinical insight of Internal Medicine with the surgical precision of Ophthalmology to care for a wide range of retinal diseases—from diabetic retinopathy to retinal detachments—especially those connected to systemic health issues. Dr. Uzcategui is passionate about delivering exceptional retina care and creating a positive experience for every patient. When she’s not in the clinic, she loves spending time with her family, practicing yoga, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Dr. Sean Rivera is an ophthalmologist specializing in glaucoma and cataract surgery, serving patients in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Rio Rancho. He is dedicated to providing advanced surgical care for these conditions, ensuring optimal visual outcomes for his patients. Dr. Rivera completed his medical school at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and his ophthalmology residency at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He further specialized with a glaucoma fellowship at the University of Iowa, which enhances his ability to manage complex glaucoma cases. Board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, Dr. Rivera is an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American Medical Association. His professional affiliations reflect a commitment to excellence and ongoing education in eye care.

Dr. P. James Sanchez is an ophthalmologist specializing in cornea and external disease, providing comprehensive eye care at Eye Associates of New Mexico. He focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions such as corneal diseases and cataracts, helping patients achieve better vision through advanced surgical and medical interventions. His expertise in LASIK procedures offers vision correction options for those seeking freedom from glasses or contact lenses. He completed his undergraduate education at Davidson College in North Carolina and earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Following medical school, he undertook an internship at Mercy Hospital St. Louis and a residency in ophthalmology at the prestigious Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA. This extensive training ensures that he is well-equipped to handle a wide range of eye health issues with precision and care. Practicing in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, Dr. Sanchez is dedicated to delivering personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. His commitment to excellence is reflected in his affiliation with professional organizations like the American Academy of Ophthalmology, where he stays updated with the latest advancements in eye care to provide the best possible outcomes for his patients.