Raul F. Membreño, MD, MPH, is an ophthalmologist at San Antonio Eye Specialists, specializing in refractive and anterior segment surgery. Affiliated as a fellow with the Refractive Surgery Alliance and the World College of Visual Sciences & Refractive Surgery, Dr. Membreño performs life-changing procedures such as LASIK, ICL, PRK, lens exchange, and advanced cataract surgery. His clinical focus also includes minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and manual small incision cataract surgery, delivering meticulous, patient-centered care to optimize visual outcomes.

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Dr. Membreño attended The University of Texas at San Antonio, where he earned a Bachelor of Science with International Distinction from the Honors College. He pursued a Doctor of Medicine (MD) at UT Health San Antonio and a Master of Public Health (MPH) at UT Health Houston School of Public Health. During medical school, he was honored with the Forland Award for Humanism in Medicine, reflecting his compassionate approach to patient care (2017). His training continued with an internship in Internal Medicine and a residency in Ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine/Baylor Scott & White, where he served as Chief Resident (2024–2025). Dr. Membreño further honed his research expertise as a fellow at the National Eye Institute through the NIH Medical Research Scholars Program, publishing in the esteemed British Journal of Ophthalmology (2023).

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Dr. Membreño has presented at prestigious conferences, such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, earning multiple travel grants and awards. Dr. Membreño served as Advocacy Ambassador for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, collaborating with local, state, and national leaders in Washington, D.C., to enhance eye care across the country (2023). As a commitment to learning the latest in refractive surgery, he attended the Forefront Refractive Surgery Course offered by the London Vision Clinic in the United Kingdom (2024). His global health efforts include medical mission trips to Peru (2024) and Guatemala (2025), where he performed manual small incision cataract surgeries, reflecting his commitment to underserved communities. Dr. Membreño is a member of the Christian Ophthalmology Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Refractive Surgery Alliance, and the Texas Medical Association.

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Driven by faith, integrity, and a passion for service, Dr. Membreño is dedicated to advancing ophthalmology through innovation and compassionate care. A native Spanish speaker with roots in Costa Rica, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son, playing racquet sports, and supporting the NBA Spurs.

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