Dr. Ivan J. Suner, MD, MBA

Expert Publications

• Cigarette smoke-related oxidants and the development of sub-RPE deposits in an experimental animal model of dry AMD.

Media Releases

Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Ivan J. Suñer, who serves patients throughout the State of Florida.

Nationally renowned, Dr. Suñer is a highly-trained retina and macula specialist with over 20 years experience. He is a Managing Partner at Retina Associates of Florida, providing world-class retina and ocular oncology care with a customer-service and patient-centered focus since 2009.

For over 30 years, the doctors of Retina Associates of Florida have been committed to the treatment of diseases like diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, retinal detachments, ocular tumors, and macular degeneration.

Today, they continue to provide all patients with excellence, quality and consistent care in a timely and convenient manner at Retina Associates’ four offices conveniently located throughout Tampa Bay, including Brandon, Lakeland, and Tampa. 

Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Suñer graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Harvard University in 1988 and his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine in 1992. 

Furthering his training, he performed his internship at Norwalk Hospital in 1993, as well as his residency in ophthalmology and fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in 1996 and 2002, respectively. He then earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of South Florida in 2005.

Having achieved various qualifications, the doctor is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO). The ABO is an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists in the United States of America.

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 an instructor in ophthalmology, Dr. Suñer served for five years as an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Miami-Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and as chief of ophthalmology section at Miami Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He then 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. 

With the following groups and associations, Dr. Suñer maintains memberships, fellowships and/or examiner status: the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists, the European Society of Retina Specialists, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, the Association for Research In Vision and Ophthalmology, and the American Board of Ophthalmology (Oral Board Examiner).

An investigator, Dr. Suñer has performed funded basic science research on the biology of nicotine and cigarette smoke on the retina, specifically in macular degeneration. He has also 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.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are experts in the diseases, functions, and anatomy of the eye. Ophthalmologists are also surgeons. They repair traumatic injuries to the eye and may perform cataract, glaucoma, and corneal surgery.

Attributing his success to his passion and excitement about retinal diseases, ophthalmology, and helping others, Dr. Suñer has published over 60 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. 

A Veteran of the US Air Force, he has a passion to help provide cutting edge care for active duty members and veterans. He is also involved with the Humane Society of the United States, Southeastern Guide Dogs, and Wounded Warriors, and helps provide access to care to minorities and underprivileged patients.

Outside of practicing medicine, Dr. Suñer enjoys playing tennis and traveling. His favorite place to vacation is in Paris, and his favorite professional publications include Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology; the American Journal of Ophthalmology; and Ophthalmology® Retina, a journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Happily married, Dr. Suñer and his wife, Elise, have two college-age children, Ivan Patrick and Isabel. They enjoy cheering on the Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning, cooking together, and spoiling their cats, Reggie and Milo.

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