Gulbas is renowned in the world of ophthalmology in and out of El Paso. He has served as Clinical Associate Professor of Texas Tech Health Sciences of El Paso, past Chairman Department of Ophthalmology Sierra Medical Center and was recognized as “America’s Top Ophthalmologist” for Latest Advances in Lasik and Cataract Surgery. Dr. Gulbas continues treating vision conditions using advanced technology and innovative techniques and hopes to continue sharing his extensive knowledge of laser and implant vision correction for years to come.

Dr. Mark J. Gallardo, a native El Pasoan, earned his medical degree from Texas Tech School of Medicine in Lubbock and graduated in the top tier of his class.  He did his residency at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, where he won multiple awards for his leadership skills and research endeavors.  Following his residency at Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, he completed a glaucoma fellowship at the prestigious and nationally recognized University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas—making him the only fellowship-trained glaucoma surgeon within 300 miles.  While in the midst of is glaucoma specialty training, Dr. Gallardo fulfilled his written requirement for board certification, scoring in the 99th percentile on his board exam.  Despite being offered multiple academic positions throughout the country and having job opportunities in the Dallas area, Dr. Gallardo decided to return to his hometown to serve his community.  He joined the faculty at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso and became the Medical Director for the division of Ophthalmology.  After a short time, he entered the private sector and joined El Paso Eye Surgeons, P.A. in 2008.

Dr. Gallardo’s passion for academics has transcended into his private practice where he continues to teach, having established a highly coveted glaucoma fellowship program.  He has become an internationally recognized figure in Ophthalmology for his work on micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and is a key opinion leader for all MIGS procedures.  He has developed a novel surgical technique for treating glaucoma (ab-interno canaloplasty or ABiC), which has transformed our approach and understanding of the eye’s natural drainage system.  His practice has been formally designated a Centers of Excellence for Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (one of only two in the nation), and surgeons throughout the world have traveled to El Paso to watch and learn his surgical techniques.  With his reputation, Dr. Gallardo also receives referrals from other glaucoma surgeons throughout the country, including the prestigious Mayo Clinic, Duke Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins University.  A recognized expert in micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, he is routinely invited to lecture at multiple major national and international ophthalmic conferences to share his knowledge.  He is widely published in the peer-reviewed medical literature and is the principal investigator for multiple ongoing clinical trials in the fields of cataract and glaucoma surgery.  He has maintained his faculty appointments at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Lubbock, and the Paul. L. Foster Texas Tech School of Medicine in El Paso.  He has also been recognized for his teaching by receiving multiple teaching awards.

In addition to providing the medical needs of El Pasoans on a local level, Dr. Gallardo has also represented our town’s interests on a state level by serving on the Texas Ophthalmology Association since 2010.  Most recently, he was elected to serve as President of the Texas Ophthalmology Association, only the second El Pasoan since the organization’s inception. Dr. Gallardo has always been passionate about medicine and his community and serves as the foundation for the desire to bring the latest technology to the region.  A rarity for our region, Dr. Gallardo has been able to introduce and provide new procedures to El Paso before other areas of the state and country.  Because of his body of work in micro-invasive glaucoma surgery, our city is routinely chosen as one of the first communities in the nation to offer and use the newest and most technologic advanced micro-invasive glaucoma devices.  He has striven to and successfully placed El Paso on the “map” of nationally recognized regions for ophthalmic and glaucoma care.