Meet Our Specialists

Robin Kuriakose, MD

Robin Kuriakose MD is a board-certified fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in advanced corneal transplant techniques (DMEK and DSAEK), traditional and laser-assisted refractive cataract surgery, laser vision correction (LASIK/PRK), EVO ICL and refractive lens exchange. He also treats ocular conditions ranging from dry eye and corneal disorders to diabetes and glaucoma.

Dr. Kuriakose is a New York native and graduated summa cum laude with University Honors from a direct BS/MD program at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. He then completed his ophthalmology surgical residency training in Southern California at Loma Linda University. Following residency, he underwent additional fellowship subspecialty training in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, where he was named Fellow of the Year. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).

Dr. Kuriakose is passionate about mentorship, technology, and innovation. He has developed mobile applications and websites to aid fellow ophthalmologists as well as patients, and has over two dozen medical publications. He is excited to live in the Bay Area and embrace the culture and cuisine of the West Coast. He is eager to educate and treat his patients so they can live their life with greater clarity.

Shirin Barez, MD

Dr. Barez is a board-certified fellowship trained retina specialist. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with honors, receiving a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. She earned her medical degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Her internship was followed by a one-year research fellowship at the National Eye Institute at Bethesda, Maryland, with a focus on ocular immunology, molecular biology and oncology. She completed her ophthalmology residency at the George Washington University, and a two-year vitreoretinal fellowship at the Devers Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Barez is Clinical Professor of Health Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, where in addition to her clinical and teaching responsibilities, she conducts clinical research in developing new modalities for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy. She has published numerous scientific papers and has lectured extensively. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Dr. Barez has a special interest and extensive experience in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and ocular vascular diseases.

“Honestly these doctors are the most caring, most hands-on doctors I’ve ever met!! I [saw] Dr. Barez for floaters and when she first came in the room, she greeted me with a smile and a handshake. Throughout the consult she explained to me in a calm manner what she had seen in my eye test and what treatment I needed. Honestly, no doctor has ever made me feel more secure and relieved.” – Yelp.com, Patient Review for Dr. Barez

Seanna Grob, MD

Seanna Grob, MD, is an Orbit and Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. Her areas of interest include eyelid reconstruction after trauma, surgery, or cancer removal, disorders or malpositions of the eyelid, tearing and disorders of the lacrimal system, tumors and disorders of the orbit, and aesthetic eyelid and facial rejuvenation. Dr. Grob is from San Diego. After completing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of California, Berkeley, she received her medical degree from the University of California, San Diego. At medical school graduation, she received several awards including the Excellence in Ophthalmology Award, Stein Institute for Research on Aging (SIRA) Award, and the John and Lola Ross Award in the Science and Culture of Medicine. Her residency in ophthalmology was at Harvard Medical School. Upon invitation, she stayed on as the Chief Resident and the Director of the Ocular Trauma Service at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Eye and Ear. She then completed an intensive two-year American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellowship in orbit and oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of California, Irvine and Kaiser Permanente South Bay and Orange County. During fellowship, she received a Heed Fellowship Award from the Society of the Heed Fellows. Dr. Grob is currently an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and teaches at UCSF and UC Berkeley.

Tonya Alberelli, MD

Dr. Alberelli is a comprehensive ophthalmologist who joined Optima in 2014. She specializes in both laser-assisted and traditional cataract surgery, as well as the treatment of eye conditions such as glaucoma, eyelid disorders, and dry eye.

Dr. Alberelli is originally from Mississippi, where her father is also a practicing comprehensive ophthalmologist. She received a full academic scholarship to Rhodes College where she graduated with honors in Biology. She then earned her medical degree from the University of Mississippi and received her internship training at the St. Mary Medical Center in San Francisco. Dr. Alberelli completed her ophthalmology residency at the Saint Louis University Eye Institute where she was awarded the prestigious Roya Rabbani Award for Excellence in Patient Care during her time there.

Dr. Alberelli moved back to the Bay Area to rejoin her husband, who has lived here since 2000. She enjoys the beauty of the area with its many hiking trails, outdoor activities and vineyards. She also appreciates the diversity and warmth of the people who live here.

“Dr. Alberelli is such a nice, professional and caring person…She gave me back my perfect vision and I am so grateful for her!! I am so happy with my results and I would HIGHLY recommend her for your eye care needs.” – Yelp.com, Patient Review for Dr. Alberelli