Dr. Velez joined Duke Ophthalmology in June 2018 from Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA. His career as a pediatric ophthalmologist is divided in 4 fronts: patient care, research, teaching and community service.
He is an internationally known pediatric ophthalmologist and has developed several successful clinical research and surgical techniques to treat complex strabismus conditions including paralytic, traumatic and strabismus secondary to ocular diseases.
His clinical and research interest includes; anterior segment ischemia; a rare but potentially devastating complication of strabismus surgery, Ocular Coherence Tomography Angiography to evaluate the anterior segment circulation in patients undergoing strabismus surgery and pediatric lens disorders.
Dr. Velez participates in the pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus fellowship-training program including the outpatient clinic, surgical training and supervision organized by the division of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. Other teaching activities include mentoring medical students in the advanced ophthalmology elective.
He serves as the Chair of the Colombian Society of Ophthalmology International Ophthalmologist Committee, vice chair American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Adult Strabismus Committee and member of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Educational Committee.
Dr. Velez performs regular professional editorial work and peer review. He serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Video Journal of Ophthalmology and the Colombian Journal of Ophthalmology. He also serves as a reviewer for JAMA Ophthalmology, IOVS, Ophthalmology, AJO and the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
Every January he goes to South-America to teach basic and clinical aspects pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus to ophthalmology residents, fellows and ophthalmologist for underdeveloped and third world countries.
For the last several years he has volunteered working as an ophthalmologist for the American Academy of Ophthalmology Eye Check Eye Smart - Care Harbor 4-day event, a free eye screening and referrals for low cost optical and surgical facilities for the treatment of their ocular conditions.