Our Practice in San Diego

Dr. Mallri is a native San Diegan who attended San Diego State and graduated with a BS degree in Biology in 2014. She earned her doctorate from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry, graduating in 2020.

Dr. Mallari is a member of the American Optometric Association, California Optometric Association, and the local San Diego Society of Optometry. She enjoys playing piano and dancing.

Dr. Santarlas received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in marine geochemistry. He spent three years in the US Naval Reserves and then completed a postgraduate year at the University of Queensland in Brisbane Australia studying satellite remote sensing. He subsequently obtained his doctorate in Optometry from the University of Missouri – St. Louis in 2002. Upon graduation, he started a private practice in rural Illinois where he practiced solo and in group retail. He moved to San Diego in 2008 and became involved with the UC San Diego Shiley Eye Center. Here he specialized in pediatrics and community Ophthalmology.

In 2010 he took a contract with the US Army to help start a practice at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii in conjunction with the withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, he was part of a Honolulu-based surgical center managing pre and post-operative LASIK patients. In 2012 he returned to San Diego and instituted a dry eye clinic at Arena Eyeworks and continued to specialize in pediatrics, complex contact lens fittings, and preventative eye care.

From 2019 to 2021 he finished his Master’s in Public health and served with the US Army Garrison Bavaria in a field health center in Grafenwoehr Germany where he earned the US Army’s Commendation Medal. He then spent the last year with the US Department of Health and Human Services launching a diabetic clinic in an integrated hospital in Winterhaven California.

In early 2022 he expanded amblyopia and diabetic services to two remote native tribes along the Indian Health Service’s Colorado River unit at the base of the Grand Canyon in Supai AZ.

Dr. Santarlas has lectured nationally and internationally and is a consultant to health care companies and physician/patient interests.

In his spare time, Dr. Santarlas enjoys playing soccer, tennis, and surfing. He is also a VFR-rated licensed pilot and avid traveler and musician.

Member – American Optometric Association Member – California Optometric Association Member – Hawaii Optometric Association Kamehameha Lions Club Member – Honolulu, Hawaii Member – Aircraft Owner and Pilots Association Member – American College of Healthcare Executives