Medical School: SUNY - StonyBrook

Internship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center – General Surgery

Education

Medical School: Vanderbilt University Medical School

Internship: Vanderbilt University Medical Center – General Surgery

Residency: Vanderbilt Eye Institute

Expertise

Cataract surgery
Diabetic eye disease
Dry eye
Glaucoma

Background

Daniel Valenzuela, MD, received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and neuroscience from the University of Miami and his medical degree from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He then completed an internship in general surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and a residency in ophthalmology at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute .Dr. Valenzuela has co-authored peer-reviewed articles in several journals, including the Journal of Neuroscience, Cell Transplantation and the American Journal of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and has an interest in performing complex cataract surgery with the most current medical and surgical techniques.

Education

O.D., Pacific University College of Optometry, Oregon
M.S., University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama
B.S., Elite School of Optometry, Chennai, India

Post Graduate Education

Residency
Cornea and Contact lenses, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama

Board Certification

Certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry in the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease
Licensed by the Tennessee State Board of Optometry, and Alabama State Board of Optometry
Professional Affiliations
American Academy of Optometry, Fellow
American Optometric Association
International Association of Contact Lens Educators, Fellow
Scleral Lens Education Society, Fellow
Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity, Member
British Contact Lens Association, Fellow
American Board of Optometry, Diplomate & Tennessee State Ambassador
Gas Permeable Lens Institute, Advisory Board Member

Honors and Awards

Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges, Pacific University College of Optometry, 2003 
Cornea and Contact Lens Resident Travel Grant, Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the American Academy of Optometry, 2005
Dr. Sheldon Wechsler Contact Lens Residency Award, American Optometric Foundation, American Academy of Optometry, 2005
American Board of Optometry Diplomate Spotlight, 2022
Travel Award for 4th IACLE World Congress on Contact Lens Education, Birmingham, UK, 2023

Areas of Clinical Expertise

Primary care
Refractive and ocular surgery management
Post-surgical and specialty contact lens fitting

Background

Dr. Deepa Chandrasekaran began her optometry career in India, graduating from the Elite School of Optometry in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Dr. Chandrasekaran joined VEI in 2014 and practices in the Adult Comprehensive/Contact Lenses Clinic performing regular eye exams on patients needing glasses and contact lenses and fitting soft/GP/hybrid/scleral lenses on both normal and diseased corneas. In prior years, she was in private practice in Montgomery, Alabama, and an adjunct faculty member at UAB School of Optometry. She gives lectures on contact lenses locally, nationally, and internationally.

Practice Locations

Vanderbilt Eye Institute- Campus
(615) 936-2020
Vanderbilt Eye Institute- Franklin
(615) 791-0060

Education

M.D., East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine
B.S., Florida State University

Post Graduate Education

Internship

East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine

Residency

Georgetown University/ Washington Hospital Center

Professional Affiliations

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 2014-present
American Academy of Ophthalmology - Participated in Advocacy Day on the Hill, 2013-present
Alpha Omega Alpha, 2010-present
Christian Medical and Dental Association, 2007-2011

Honors & Awards

Research day Poster Award - “LASIK Versus PRK in High Myopes” , June 2013
​Philip John Hinton, MD Career in Surgery Award, May 2011
Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) , 2010
Phi Beta Kappa, 2005
Summa Cum Laude, 2006
University Honors Program Graduate, FSU, 2006

Areas of Clinical Expertise

Comprehensive Eye Care
Diabetic eye exams
Glaucoma care
Cataract Surgery
​Pterygium Surgery

Background

Jessica Mather, M.D., joined the Vanderbilt Eye Institute team in 2015. She sees patients at the Carthage, Lebanon and Smithville offices. Dr. Mather attended Florida State University, where she graduated summa cum /aude with a degree in biology. In 2011, Dr. Mather received her medical degree from East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine. She completed her ophthalmology residency in Washington, D.C. at Georgetown University/Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Mather is thrilled to be back in her home town, where she lives with her husband and two children. Dr. Mather provides comprehensive eye care, including diabetic eye exams, glaucoma care and cataract surgery. 

Practice Locations

Vanderbilt Eye Institute- Lebanon

(615) 453-5155