Michael Tolentino
Ophthalmologist
401 South Florida Ave Lakeland Fl, 33803About
At 10 years old, Michael Tolentino, began his ophthalmic research career developing silicone oil to repair retinal detachment in his father’s Harvard Medical School laboratory. His father Felipe Tolentino taught and pioneered retinal surgery at Harvard, and his son certainly followed in his footsteps.
Today, Dr. Tolentino is a board-certified ophthalmologist, Florida Top Doc, Leading Physician of the World and Peoples’ Choice Recipient. Patients can see him at Palm Beach Eye Center, with locations in Lake Worth, Delray Beach, Lakeland, and The Villages, FL. where he treats patients with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, macular puckers and floaters. Palm Beach Eye Centers boasts state-of-the-art technologies, access to clinical trials, and cutting edge minimally invasive surgeries. “Throughout my career, I’ve developed many treatments for retinal and macular disease” he says. “When you’ve invented treatments and use them to save patients vision daily, that is a unique privilege.”
He continues to develop new concepts in retinal care and has given over 200 international lectures. In fact, he developed one of the largest retinal trial programs in the world serving as principal investigator for over 150 clinical trials. He is currently developing novel treatments for late-stage dry macular degeneration and True Blue spectrum protecting glasses to prevent macular degeneration. “I never give up on any eye and work tirelessly to preserve my patients’ vision with the latest technologies like painless eye injection, nucleotide therapeutics and small gauge macular/retinal surgery.”
Dr. Tolentino earned his BA at Brown University and his MD at UMass Medical School. He completed his internship, retina research fellowship and ophthalmic residency all at Harvard Medical School. In the Harvard lab of Dr. Judah Folkman he developed Avastin, a cancer drug, into an eye injection, leading to other eye injections (ie. lucentis, eyelea) for macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and vein occlusions. He subsequently joined the faculty at the University of Pennsylvania where he taught future retinal surgeons. He moved on to Florida to focus on his main passion which is offering state of the art care and surgery to macular/retinal patients with compassion and a smile.
Education and Training
Brown University BA 1989
Univeristy of Massachusetts MD 1993
Harvard University Ophthalmology Residency 1999
Harvard Univerisity Medical Internship 1994
Univeristy of Pennsylvania Retina Fellowship 2000
Board Certification
Ophthalmology (Physician Specialties)
Provider Details
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Associate Clinical Professor Ophtalmology University of Central Florida 2013 - Present
Awards
- FL Top Doc 2022 Fl Top Doc
- Top 100 Entrepeneurs 2022 Alumni Spotlight
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Retina Specialists
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- Tolentino Eye Research Foundation- Founder
Michael Tolentino's Practice location
Lake Worth, Fl 33461Get Direction
DelRay Beach, Fl 33445Get Direction
Michael Tolentino's reviews
Write ReviewRecommended Articles
- How to Get Rid of a Stye: 17 Home Remedies and Treatments
What is a stye?A stye occurs when a particular strain of bacteria affects the oil gland of the eyelid. It becomes infected and causes inflammation, redness, as well as pain on the eyelid and its surrounding tissues. A stye is an inflamed swelling or circumscribed abscess. It can be treated with...
- Which Doctors Treat Diabetes?
There are many healthcare providers who can diagnose and treat diabetes. While most people may see a primary care doctor if they start having symptoms of diabetes, other physicians and specialists can also help monitor the condition.Doctors who treat diabetesThe following are doctors and specialists...
- What are the Signs and Symptoms of Rosacea?
Rosacea is a very common skin condition that frequently affects people aged above 30 years. It produces redness on your cheeks, nose, and forehead. Although it commonly affects women, more severe symptoms occur in males. Approximately 16 million people are affected in the United States alone, and it...
- How Long Does It Take To Get A Cataract Removed?
How Cataract Surgery is Performed Prior to a cataracts surgery, you will have to attend an eye assessment with an ophthalmologist. The ophthalmologist will first examine your health condition and any previous eye treatments. They will also check for any other eye problems currently affecting...
- Reasons Why You Would Need Laser Eye Surgery
Fast on the heels of FDA approval, the passage of nearly two decades has seen Lasik eye surgery (laser in situ keratomileusis), assuming the number one spot in elective surgical procedures opted by the American public. Lasik has redefined eye care by surgically reshaping the cornea of the eye in...
Nearby Providers
- Dr. Michael Tolention MD1450 Hollingsworth Oaks Dr Lakeland FL 33803
- Felipe I. Tolentino1443 Hollingsworth Oaks Drive Lakeland Florida 33803
- Dr. Michael Schmitt M.D.1100 OAKBRIDGE PKWY LAKELAND FL 33803