Dr. Ryan Fante

Dr. Avery received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and took his ophthalmology training there at the highly regarded Wilmer Eye Institute. He completed a vitreoretinal fellowship at Duke University working with Dr. Robert Machemer, who invented the first vitrectomy machine and is considered the father of modern vitreous surgery.Dr. Avery returned to Johns Hopkins as Assistant Chief of Service and head of the trauma unit. He has received numerous honors and awards, including the Heed Fellowship, and was the first recipient of the prestigious Ronald G. Michels Fellowship for his contribution to vitreous surgery. Dr. Avery is an examiner for American Board of Ophthalmology, is a member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and American Society of Retina Specialists(ASRS) where he serves on the US federal Affairs Committee.He has been the principal investigator for 12 national clinical trials at California Retinal Consultants. His research interests include; macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and surgery for complex vitreoretinal conditions. He has published numerous articles on these subjects in journals such as Ophthalmology, Retina, New England Journal of Medicine, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmic Surgery, and Archives of Ophthalmology.He is on the editorial board of Retina Today. He and his colleagues at CRC helped usher in the use of Avastin for eye diseases by publishing 6 peer reviewed articles and a book chapter on intraocular Avastin in 2006. He recently won an award from the ASRS for his video demonstrating a safer surgical technique for sutureless vitrectomy.He lectures internationally on retinal diseases. His basic science research continues at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he holds an appointment in the Neuroscience Research Institute. He is a founder of the California Retina Research Foundation.As a vitreoretinal specialist, I provide comprehensive medical and surgical treatment for all disorders of the retina, macula and vitreous. I focus on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these conditions. Thus, I do not prescribe glasses nor do we perform cataract or LASIK surgery. I will keep your referring doctor informed of our findings, your treatment and your progress. Dr. Avery is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Retinal Vasculopathy with Cerebral Leukodystrophy. His top areas of expertise are Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Dr. Dante J. Pieramici graduated with honors from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed Ophthalmology Residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute. He receive vitreoretinal fellowship training at the Emory Eye Center in Atlanta Georgia. Dr. Pieramici has held full-time academic positions at the Yale University Eye Center and the Wilmer Eye Institute, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Service and Director of Ocular Trauma. Currently he is the Codirector of the California Retina Research Foundation, a partner of the California Retina Consultants, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Center in Southern California. Dr. Pieramici has published over 100 articles, 16 book chapters, and has edited 3 books on retinal diseases. He lectures nationally and internationally on retinal diseases and ocular trauma.Dr. Pieramici’s research interests have been varied, and include clinical and basic science projects aimed at better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of ocular diseases, so as to improve treatments for patients with age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular diseases, and severe ocular injuries. He has been a clinical investigator, principal investigator, or reading center investigator in numerous NIH and pharmaceutical company sponsored clinical trials. Dr Pieramici has helped in the development of new surgical techniques including limited macular translocation and 25-gauge (small incision) vitrectomy surgery. Currently he is involved in the development of new drug delivery techniques for various retinal vascular diseases.Dr. Pieramici has received the Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Honor Award from the American Society of Retinal Specialists. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Retina Society, the Macula Society, the American Society of Retinal Specialists, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Society of Ocular Trauma where he serves as Vice President, and the Pan-American Ophthalmologic Society amongst others. Dr Pieramici is a member of S.E.E International and regularly trains international ophthalmologists from undeserved areas.As vitreoretinal specialists, we provide comprehensive medical and surgical treatment for all disorders of the retina, macula and vitreous. We focus on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of these conditions. Many abnormalities of the retina and vitreous may cause visual loss. These disorders include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, macular holes, macular edema and epiretinal membranes. Our practice has multiple locations throughout Central California to serve our patients. Dr. Pieramici is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Retinal Vasculopathy with Cerebral Leukodystrophy. His top areas of expertise are Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Diabetic Retinopathy, and Vitrectomy.

A published author on the topic of macular degeneration and diseases of the retina, Dr. Dan Shepard is also specially trained in medical and surgical treatment of eye trauma and the eye’s vitreous body.Dr. Shepard received his Medical Doctor degree and his Master’s degree in Public Health, Administrative Management from the George Washington University. At Texas Tech University he completed his ophthalmology training, prior to embarking on a two-year fellowship program in medical and surgical issues of retinal and vitreous diseases at Tulane University.A member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Surgeons, Dr. Shepard dedicates time and attention to the treatment of diabetes-related diseases of the eye and to cutting-edge issues in macular degeneration.Raised in Santa Maria, Dr. Shepard returned to the Central Coast after his medical training. He is raising his two sons in the area and are active participants in many local organizations.Practices in the Santa Maria and Lompoc clinicsBoard-Certified OphthalmologistMaster in Public Health, Administrative ManagemenOur Santa Maria and Lompoc optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians are proud to offer some of the best eye care services in the area. For over 40 years, the caring, highly trained professionals at Shepard Eye Center in Santa Maria have provided comprehensive eye care using the most current, state-of-the-art techniques and procedures. Today, the tradition of dedication continues. At Shepard Eye Center and Kendall-Shepard Eye Center in Lompoc we are committed to providing exceptional care, an experience that combines the highest degree of professionalism with warmth, openness and understanding. Dr. Shepard is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Retinal Vasculopathy with Cerebral Leukodystrophy. His top areas of expertise are Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, and Retinal Artery Occlusion.