Meet Dr. Martinez
In practice as a vitreoretinal surgeon in Austin since 1993, Dr. Martinez has been recognized since 1996 among “The Best Doctors in America,” and has also been included in “Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists.” Since 2007 he has been awarded by Texas Monthly the title of “Super Doctor,” an honor which identifies those doctors who have achieved special recognition by their peers. Dr. Martinez is ranked the #1 ophthalmologist in Austin on RateMDs.com and has consistently been recognized as a “Top Doctor” by Castle Connely. Since 2016, Dr. Martinez has unfailingly earned three awards from Vitals.com: 1) Patient’s Choice Award, 2) Compassionate Doctor Recognition Award, and 3) On Time Doctor Award.
Dr. Martinez specializes in the surgical and medical management of all diseases of the retina, vitreous and macula, including diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, macular holes and macular degeneration, among others. Additionally, he has been the Principal Investigator for numerous national research studies involving novel surgical procedures and pharmacological therapies.
Dr. Martinez earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in 1984 from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was the recipient of the “Most Outstanding Student” award. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas in 1988, he went on to complete his ophthalmology residency at Emory University School of Medicine in 1992, where he was honored as chief resident. He completed his training as a surgical retina fellow in 1993 at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, which has been ranked as the #1 eye hospital in the country every year since 2005 by U.S. News & World Report. In 2008, he received an online certificate of achievement in Executive Strategies, Leadership, and Management from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business.
Dedicated to providing service to the community, Dr. Martinez has served on several Austin-area nonprofit boards and lectures at educational seminars for medical professionals nationally. Internationally, he has participated in medical mission trips to Panama, Cuba and Mexico. He routinely lectures at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business on “Lean Process Improvement in Healthcare” and serves as an Affiliate Faculty at UT Dell Medical School.
Dr. Martinez maintains professional membership in the American Society of Retina Specialists, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Austin Ophthalmological Society, Texas Medical Association, and the Travis County Medical Society. He actively participates in a variety of professional societies through meeting attendance and presentations.
Dr. Martinez is a devoted family man and an active member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. He enjoys golfing, traveling and experiencing the great outdoors. Also, he is an avid reader and fan of “The Great Courses,” having listened to many of the best college courses on a range of topics including leadership, the sciences, business, and history. Most of all, he cherishes his wife, Catherine, and their three children, Joseph, Michael and Theresa.
Dr. Martinez serves the following locations:
Education and Training
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School | Dallas, TX | M.D. | 1984 - 1988
- University of Texas | Austin, TX | B.A. | 1980 - 1984