VISIONARY EYE SPECIALISTS 9002 N. Meridian St., Suite 112 Indianapolis, IN 317-843-9005 visionaryeyespecialists.com
Writer / Christy Heitger-Ewing Photographer / Amy Payne
Owner Yara Catoira-Boyle
Yara Catoira-Boyle immigrated to the United States from Brazil, South America, for a residency in ophthalmology at Indiana University (IU). Following her residency, she pursued a glaucoma fellowship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. She was in surgery on September 11, 2001, at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, when news broke about the terrorist attacks. “My mother had been visiting and had left two days before,” Catoira-Boyle says. “We had dinner on top of the towers Sunday night.” She started at the IU Department of Ophthalmology as an assistant clinical professor of ophthalmology, and also worked part time at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as the only glaucoma specialist. “Over the last 17 years, six residents per year have graduated from our residency program,” says Catoira-Boyle, who was promoted to associate professor at IU in 2012. “Every single one learned cataract and glaucoma surgery at the VA hospital with me sitting next to them holding their hand, and making sure patients do well.” She found working with veterans so fulfilling that in 2016 she applied to become the chief of ophthalmology at the VA, because she hoped to make a greater impact.
practice standards. She eventually found that she was not as happy working as a desk employee, and missed hands-on interaction with patients. She still currently dedicates part-time to teaching cataract and glaucoma “I thought that instead of helping one person, surgery and caring for the Veterans' eyes. two eyes at a time, I’d have the chance to affect the life of many people at a time, “I love being in the room with the patient,” improving ophthalmology services,” she says. she says. “I love helping to educate patients Catoira-Boyle worked hard to increase eye about their eyes so they can make informed surgery numbers to more than 110 cases decisions about their care. My patients know per month. In the process she attempted to that I care for them as a whole person. I’m improve clinic flow and implement private10 / BROAD RIPPLE MAGAZINE / DECEMBER 2020 / atBRip.com
a people person, and as an ophthalmologist you’re really a primary care doctor, as your patients stay with you through the years.” Catoira-Boyle says time and again, patients have told her how much they appreciate her personal style of care. Catoira-Boyle encourages those 50 and over to get an eye exam since serious eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts and macular degeneration present as we age. Diabetics
