Alvaro J Mejia-Vergara, MD
Assistant Professor
About Alvaro J Mejia-Vergara
Hello, my name is Alvaro Mejia-Vergara, M.D., and I’m an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the University of Florida, specializing in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus surgery. I strive to be a companion to my patients while addressing complex neurological diseases that affect their vision with compassion and scientific excellence. My interests include idiopathic intracranial hypertension, double vision, thyroid eye disease, and optic neuropathy.
My journey in ophthalmology began with my medical training at Xavierian University in Bogotá, Colombia, and continued with my neuro-ophthalmology training at UCLA and UF. I am proud to be a member of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, all of which have enriched my professional network and expertise.
In our free time, my wife and I enjoy biking in the natural parks around Gainesville. I am also an avid swimmer and love spoiling my cat.
Accomplishments
Committee Member, Patient Education and International Outreach Committees
2024
·
NANOS (North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society)
Young Ophthalmology Delegate
2021
·
Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Colfuturo Scholar
2019
·
Colfuturo
Gillingham Fellowship
2019
·
Retina Research Foundation
Best Intern Award
2013
·
Colombian Association of Medical Schools.
BS/MD Summa Cum Laude
2012
·
Xaverian University, Colombia
Teaching Profile
Courses Taught
2024-2025
PAS5010 Intro to Medicine 1
Board Certifications
-
Florida State LicenseFlorida Board of Medicine
-
OphthalmologyAmerican Board of Ophthalmology
Clinical Profile
Specialties
- Ophthalmology
Areas of Interest
- Anisocoria
- Eye muscle repair
- Graves disease
- Hemifacial spasm
- Horner syndrome
- Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Nystagmus
- Optic glioma
- Optic nerve atrophy
- Optic neuritis
- Orbital pseudotumor
- Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome
- Ptosis – infants and children
- Strabismus
- Supranuclear ophthalmoplegia
- Visual field
Publications
Academic Articles
2024
Translation, adaptation, and cross-cultural validation of the CDQ-24 scale in patients with primary blepharospasm under botulinum toxin treatment, pilot test.
Archivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia.
99(8):317-322
[DOI] 10.1016/j.oftale.2024.04.013.
[PMID] 38878820.
2023
Self-reported glaucoma prevalence and related factors, contribution to reported visual impairment, and functional burden in a cross-sectional study in Colombia.
International ophthalmology.
43(7):2447-2455
[DOI] 10.1007/s10792-023-02643-z.
[PMID] 36864123.
2023
The Acute Optic Neuritis Network (ACON): Study protocol of a non-interventional prospective multicenter study on diagnosis and treatment of acute optic neuritis.
Frontiers in neurology.
14
[DOI] 10.3389/fneur.2023.1102353.
[PMID] 36908609.
2023
Translation and transcultural adaptation of the AS-20 scale to measure quality of life in adults with strabismus in Colombia, a pilot study.
Archivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia.
98(3):142-149
[DOI] 10.1016/j.oftale.2022.11.005.
[PMID] 36577464.
2022
Details and outcomes of a large cohort of MOG-IgG associated optic neuritis.
Multiple sclerosis and related disorders.
68
[DOI] 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104237.
[PMID] 36252317.
2022
OCT retinal nerve fiber layer thickness differentiates acute optic neuritis from MOG antibody-associated disease and Multiple Sclerosis: RNFL thickening in acute optic neuritis from MOGAD vs MS.
Multiple sclerosis and related disorders.
58
[DOI] 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103525.
[PMID] 35038647.
2022
Papilledema and intracranial hypertension in leukemia: case series and review.
Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie.
57(2):e54-e56
[DOI] 10.1016/j.jcjo.2021.06.022.
[PMID] 34302756.
2022
Styloidogenic Jugular Venous Compression Syndrome with Papilloedema: Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Neuro-ophthalmology (Aeolus Press).
46(1):54-58
[DOI] 10.1080/01658107.2021.1887288.
[PMID] 35095137.
2021
Benefit of Stimulus Size V Perimetry for Patients With a Dense Central Scotoma From Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.
Translational vision science & technology.
10(12)
[DOI] 10.1167/tvst.10.12.31.
[PMID] 34673906.
2021
OCT parameters of the optic nerve head and the retina as surrogate markers of brain volume in a normal population, a pilot study.
Journal of the neurological sciences.
420
[DOI] 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117213.
[PMID] 33271374.
2020
Optical Coherence Tomography in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Frontiers in neurology.
11
[DOI] 10.3389/fneur.2020.578698.
[PMID] 33178120.
2020
Pathophysiology of Conversion to Symptomatic Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy and Therapeutic Implications: a Review.
Current neurology and neuroscience reports.
20(5)
[DOI] 10.1007/s11910-020-01032-8.
[PMID] 32296973.
Education
Neuro-Ophthalmology Clinical Fellowship
2023-2024
·
University of Florida
Gillingham Fellowship
2020
·
Retina Research Foundation, Houston, TX
Neuro Ophthalmology Clinical and Research Fellowship
2019
·
University of California, Los Angeles
Ophthalmology Residency, Chief Resident
2016-2019
·
Pontifical Xavierian University, Bogota, Colombia
Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine, Summa Cum Laude
2013
·
Pontifical Xavierian University, Bogota, Colombia
Contact Details
Phones:
- Business:
- (352) 265-2020
Emails:
- Business:
- amejiavergara@ufl.edu
Addresses:
- Business Mailing:
-
PO Box 100383
THE OAKS UF HEALTH EYE CENTER
GAINESVILLE FL 32610 - Business Street:
-
6201 W NEWBERRY RD
THE OAKS UF HEALTH EYE CENTER
GAINESVILLE FL 32605