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Carlos Ernesto Mendoza Santiesteban

Carlos Ernesto Mendoza Santiesteban, MD

Pediatric Neuro-OphthalmologyNeuro-Ophthalmology

Accepting New Patients
Virtual Visits Available
Virtual Visits
Need help scheduling? Call 305-243-2020

Highlights

Age Groups Seen

  • Newborns (0-28 days)
  • Infants and Toddlers (ages 0-2)
  • Children (ages 3-11)
  • Adolescents (ages 12-18)
  • Adults

Languages

  • Spanish
  • English

About Carlos Ernesto Mendoza Santiesteban

Roles

Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology

Areas of Expertise

Adult and pediatric neuro-ophthalmology, visual electrophysiology, medical retina, hereditary retinal diseases, macular diseases, retinitis pigmentosa, optic nerve diseases, toxic-nutritional optic neuropathies, mitochondrial optic neuropathies, retina in neurological diseases (parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, alzheimers disease, multiple system atrophy), hydroxichloroquine retinal toxicity, optical coherence tomography of the retina and optic nerve.

Research Interests

The Eye in Familial Dysautonomia

Retinal Biomarkers of Neurological Diseases (Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple System Atrophy)

Hereditary Optic Neuropathies

Retinal and Optic Nerve Imaging

Hydroxichloroquine Retinal Toxicity

Hereditary Retinal Diseases

Visual Electrophysiology

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Locations

      • 5555 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Floor 3, Coral Gables, FL 33146
      • Get Directions

        Expertise

        Education

        • Fellowship: New England Eye Center Tufts University, Retina/Vitreous, 2016
        • Fellowship: New England Eye Center Tufts University, Neuro-Ophthalmology, 2011
        • Residency: Cuban Eye Institute Ramon Pando Ferrer, Ophthalmology, 2007
        • Fellowship: Instituto Neurologia y Neurocirugia, Neuro-Ophthalmology, 2003
        • Fellowship: Cuban Eye Institute Ramon Pando Ferrer, Retina/Vitreous, 2002
        • Residency: ICBP Victoria de Giron, Physiology, 1999
        • Internship: Hospital Manuel Fajardo, Rotating, 1995
        • Medical School: Instituto Superior de Ciencias Medicas de la Habana, 1995

        Insurance

        Health plans that are currently contracted with UHealth are listed below. However, please check with your insurance provider to verify that UHealth is part of your provider network.
        Search plans
        • Aetna - WC
        • Aetna Affiliates/Signature Adm. (ASA)
        • Aetna Behavioral Health
        • Aetna Elect Choice (EPO)
        • Aetna-FL Healthy Kids
        • Aetna-HMO
        • Aetna-Medicaid HMO
        • Aetna-Medicare HMO
        • Aetna-Medicare PPO
        • Aetna-POS
        • Aetna-PPO
        • Aetna-UM Employee-HMO 1
        • Aetna-UM Employee-HMO 2
        • Aetna-UM Employee-POS HRA
        • Aetna/Coventry - Institutes of Excellence (IOE)
        • Amerigroup-FL Healthy Kids
        • Amerigroup-Medicaid HMO
        • Argus Vision
        • AvMed Choice
        • AvMed-HMO/POS
        • AvMed-MDC and JHS Groups
        • AvMed-Medicare HMO
        • AXIS
        • BCBS Blue Options-Network Blue-PPO
        • BCBS BlueCare-HealthOptions HMO
        • BCBS BlueChoice PPC-PPO
        • BCBS Miami Dade Blue-PPO
        • BCBS of FL - except "SELECT" Plans
        • BCBS of FL (Commercial plans exclude HIX Select)
        • BCBS Traditional-PHS-PPO
        • Beacon Health (FKA ValueOption)
        • Beech Street-PPO
        • Broward Health Medical Center
        • CarePlus-Medicare HMO
        • Catholic Hospice
        • CCP-CMS Title XIX (Medicaid Enrolled in South Florida)
        • CCP-CMS Title XXI (Non-Medicaid Enrolled in South Florida)
        • CCP-MMA (Broward County residents)
        • Charlotte County Sheriff's Office-PPO
        • Cigna Affiliates
        • Cigna Behavioral Health
        • Cigna Dental-HMO and PPO
        • Cigna Life Source (Intracorp is part of Cigna Lifesource)
        • Cigna Shared Administration
        • Cigna-EPO
        • Cigna-HMO
        • Cigna-MDCPS Jackson Sr. High
        • Cigna-POS
        • Cigna-PPO
        • Clear Health Alliance-SNP Medicaid HMO
        • CompCare (Comprehensive Behavioral Care)
        • Concordia Behavioral Health
        • CorVel - WC
        • Coventry First Health - WC
        • Coventry Health Care of FL (HIP)-HMO/POS
        • Coventry Health Care of FL (HIP)-PPO
        • Coventry Health Plan of FL (Foundation)-HMO
        • Coventry Health Plan of FL (Foundation)-POS
        • Coventry National-PPO
        • Coventry Summit-Medicare HMO
        • Coventry Vista-Medicare HMO
        • Coventry-First Health-PPO
        • Delta Dental-PPO
        • DentaQuest (ADI)
        • DIKLA
        • Dimension - WC
        • Dimension Plus-PPO
        • EHN - PPO
        • EQUIAN (fka Health Systems International)
        • Europe Assistance/Global Corporate Solutions
        • eyeQuest
        • FCCI - WC
        • Florida Healthcare Plan (Affiliate of BCBSFL)
        • Florida PACE (FPC)
        • Freedom Health-Medicaid HMO
        • Freedom Health-Medicare HMO
        • Gallagher Bassett - WC (MDCPS & FCSRMC)
        • Global Excel Mgt PPO
        • Global Health Claims Services
        • Great West (Cigna)-HMO/POS
        • Guardian Life PPO
        • HAA Preferred Partners
        • Health First Health-HMO/POS
        • Health First Health-Medicare HMO
        • Health First Health-PPO
        • Health Net Veterans Choice HMO
        • Heritage Summit Healthcare - WC
        • Humana - HUMx
        • Humana Behavioral Health (fka LifeSynch)
        • Humana Dental/CompBenefits/OHS
        • Humana National Transplant
        • Humana-EPO
        • Humana-HMO
        • Humana-Medicaid HMO
        • Humana-Medicare HMO
        • Humana-PPO
        • Humana-Premier
        • iCare Health Solutions
        • Interlink Health Services
        • International Kids Fund (IKF)
        • League Medical Concepts-Federal Inmates
        • Life Trac
        • Magellan Behavioral Health
        • Magellan Complete Care-SNP Medicaid HMO
        • MDAbroad
        • Medica-Medicare HMO
        • Medical Development In't (MDI)-Federal Inmates
        • Medicus
        • Metlife Dental-PPO
        • MHNet Behavioral Network
        • Molina
        • Molina - Market Place
        • Molina-Medicaid HMO
        • Molina-Medicare HMO
        • Morgan White International
        • MultiPlan-PPO
        • Naphcare (Federal Prisoners)
        • National Healthcare Solutions Inc.
        • Neighborhood HealthPlan-HMO/POS
        • Neighborhood HealthPlan-PPO
        • North Broward Hospital District-PPO
        • Olympus Managed Healthcare
        • Optum
        • Positive Healthcare-SNP Medicaid HMO
        • Positive Healthcare-SNP Medicare HMO
        • Prestige Health Choice-Medicaid HMO
        • Prime Health Services - WC
        • Quality Health Management
        • Religious Order of Jehovah's Witnesses-PPO
        • Rockport Healthcare Group - WC
        • Royal Caribbean Cruises-PPO
        • Sanus Health Corporation
        • Simply Healthcare-Medicaid HMO
        • Solstice Dental-HMO and PPO
        • Start Healthcare Network
        • Sunshine
        • Sunshine - AMBETTER
        • Sunshine-Healthy Kids HMO
        • Sunshine-Medicaid HMO
        • Sunshine-Medicare HMO
        • Tricare South Prime-HMO
        • Tricare South Standard-PPO
        • United Behavioral Health (UBH)
        • UnitedHealthcare Affiliates
        • UnitedHealthcare-Healthy Kids HMO
        • UnitedHealthcare-HMO/POS
        • UnitedHealthcare-Medicaid HMO
        • UnitedHealthcare-Medicare Nursing Home Plan
        • UnitedHealthcare-PPO
        • University of Miami Athletic Dept-PPO
        • VUMI
        • Wellcare/Staywell-Healthy Kids HMO
        • Wellcare/Staywell-Medicaid HMO
        • Wexford Health-State Inmates
        • Worldwide Managed Care

        Ratings & Reviews

        4.7 out of 5

        645 ratings, 76 reviews

        UHealth is committed to being transparent with our patients and community. To achieve this, we include positive and negative comments from the care provider section of the medical practice survey. All ratings and comments are submitted by patients who have experienced outpatient care with our providers. Comments are carefully reviewed to ensure that each one accurately reflects the patient's perception of the care they received.

        Likelihood to Recommend Provider
        Provider Explained Things Clearly
        Provider showed concern
        Provider included you in decisions
        Provider discussed treatment options
        Provider treated you with courtesy and respect
        Provider listened carefully to you
        Provider spent enough time with you
        Search reviews
          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/27/2026

          Great

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/12/2026

          Thank you for an excellent experience.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/7/2026

          Very satisfied

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/29/2026

          Great Service

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/28/2026

          Excellent

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/20/2026

          Great experience!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/31/2025

          Dr Carlos Mendoza was excellent in explaining my stroke of my left eye (retina) on September 14th

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/23/2025

          For the doctor to be forthcoming with everything that he knows about the disease or the situation the patient is in

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/18/2025

          Excelente

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/8/2025

          Great

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/7/2025

          He is very knowledgeable and caring

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/16/2025

          Dr Mendoza is a very kind man!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/11/2025

          Excellent service and very professional

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/23/2025

          Great experience doctors and great knowledge

          4 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/12/2025

          If I knew anybody to recommend him to, I would

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/11/2025

          Extremely satisfied with my overall experience with all that helped me today

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/30/2025

          Dr. Mendoza is an excellent practitioner. I always experience being in great hands under his care. I feel super confident of his expertise and the way he really care about anything ailing the patient.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/28/2025

          You are the Best!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/23/2025

          Excellent in every way

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/23/2025

          Good

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/9/2025

          Excelente servicio

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/3/2025

          Excellent in all catagories

          4 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/2/2025

          Slightly less time with the doctor than I would have liked.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/29/2025

          I love the care and treatment I recieved

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/25/2025

          Dr. Mendoza and his staff are very professional, attentive and very patient.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/24/2025

          Dr. Mendoza's professionalism and knowledge is invaluable

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/23/2025

          We have great trust in the Doctors and staff

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/22/2025

          Thanks for the thorough check.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/4/2025

          Dr Mendoza is excellent

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/28/2025

          The hot chocolate was great!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/20/2025

          I loved the facilities too

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/11/2025

          Thank you

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/3/2025

          Amazing fellow Dr. [ ] and amazing ophthalmologist Dr. Mendoza. Such kind physicians! I really enjoyed my experience with them!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/18/2025

          Thank you for the good care

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/17/2025

          Very impressive with the care and attention. We will return for a follow up!!

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/17/2025

          All staff was great. Dr Mendoza was outstanding! My only negative was the first gal that did the checking of my eyes. She definitely did the job she was supposed to do, but very I guess the word I'm looking for is stern. Stickley business! But I guess that's okay.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/15/2025

          Absolutely the best all around patient care I have ever received.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 3/30/2025

          Magnificent

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 3/27/2025

          My Doctor was excellent in all areas.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 3/17/2025

          Amazing bedside manner and really took time to understand concerns and explain options.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/24/2025

          Muy especial

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/23/2025

          Very good

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 2/22/2025

          I will highly recommend Bascom Palmer & Dr. Mendoza to my family & friends

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/27/2025

          I feel very fortunate to have connected with Dr Mendoza. He is thorough, knowledgeable and an excellent diagnostician.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/20/2025

          Dr. Mendoza was VERY good. Excellent doctor.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/9/2025

          Excellent Doctor.

          4 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 1/7/2025

          Good

          4 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/20/2024

          The issue of care was very acceptable

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/19/2024

          Dr. M. Is an amazing Dr. Spells thungs out and does not rush. Seems genuinely interested in me

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/16/2024

          Dr Mendoza was very informative and listened to my concerns.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/12/2024

          Thank you for all your help and professionalism

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 12/8/2024

          Good

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 11/12/2024

          Dr. Mendoza is the kindest doctor I have ever met. I wish all UM doctors would take a page out of his book.

          4 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/20/2024

          The nurse practitioner treated me very well, examined me and listened when I described my symptoms

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/15/2024

          Exquisite attention, very professional, but especially the mastery of knowledge and the trust received from the doctor was excellent.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 10/14/2024

          Dr. Was very good explaining and taking his time with us.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/13/2024

          I am very satisfied with you and I recommend you one hundred percent

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 9/12/2024

          Dr. Mendoza is very knowledgeable and took the time to explain his finding with me in a matter that I would understand. He is wonderful.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/30/2024

          I received excellent care by Dr. Carlos Mendoza Santiesteban. He made sure to include the test needed to ascertain my visual symptoms were not caused by my long term treatment which was my main concern. I was very pleased with Dr. Mendoza Santiesteban's care and detailed explanation.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/25/2024

          Todo muy bien

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 8/23/2024

          Excelente

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/5/2024

          My visit with the neuro Dr. Mendoza Santiesteban was so nice and helpful. The way he talk to me the way he care for me. It was overwhelming.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 7/2/2024

          Excellent care

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/28/2024

          Dr. Mendoza Santiesteban answered all of my concerns and gave me follow up instructions.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/20/2024

          EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/13/2024

          Doctor spent enough time and answered all questions properly.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/11/2024

          I really like Dr. Mendoza Santiesteban. He takes the time to explain things to me and to answer my questions.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 6/5/2024

          The Doctor was excellent

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/19/2024

          Dr Mendoza is so thorough and helpful in explaining everything clearly and he and his entire team are always prepared to go the extra mile in their care.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/17/2024

          Really good.

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/12/2024

          Excellent

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/5/2024

          Good

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 5/1/2024

          Dr. Mendoza is great. I appreciate his candor and down to earth assessments of my condition. He remains optimistic regarding my care.

          2 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/18/2024

          I waited 3+ hours to speak with the doctor, and months to make the appt, and I felt he barely listened to me and wouldn't give me more than 3 minutes of his time. He rushed through explaining what he saw with my eyes. Would never go back or recommend this practice to anyone

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/18/2024

          Excellent service

          5 out of 5 stars
          Reviewed on 4/17/2024

          Great professional