Dr. Eduardo Arenas (1938-2023)
I received the sad news that my dear friend, advisor and corneal procedure innovator, Dr. Eduardo Arenas has passed away. His always innovative and impactful ideas helped shape much of what we do today in restoring our patients’ sight. He was also a gentleman in life.
I had the great privilege of enjoying many moments of conversation, exchanging ideas and laughter with him and his beloved Alexandra Mieth. The last time was in Cartagena, where we had fun at Café Havana and then on a boat trip around Cartagena Bay.
The body of my dear friend and teacher Eduardo Arenas is gone, yet his ideas, innovative spirit and extreme generosity will remain with us forever.
Sad to hear of his loss. May he now rest in peace.
Dr. Paulo E.C. Dantas
PAAO President
Dr. Eduardo Arenas Archila
(1938-2023)
Lo Mejor 2016. Dr. Arenas recognized for 25 years as a Lo Mejor speaker.
(left to right): Dr. Fernando Arevalo (USA), Dr. Lihteh Wu (Costa Rica), Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia), Dr. Hugo Nano (Argentina)
We will miss you dear friend!
Dr. Fernando Arevalo
PAAO President 2019-2021; PAOF Chair 2021-2024
Director, Lo Mejor de la Academia en Español
(left to right): Dr. Fernando Arevalo (USA), Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia), Dra. Oly Azar-Arevalo (Venezuela/USA)
(left to right): Dr. Fernando Arevalo (USA), Dr. Rubens Belfort Jr. (Brazil), Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia)
Rest in peace, my friend.
Dr. Angela Fernandez
PAAO Executive Vice President
Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia); Argentina, 2023
Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia); Cartagena 2018
(left to right): Dr. Carlos Restrepo (Colombia), Dr. Angela Gutierrez (Colombia), Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia), unknown, unknown, Dr. Angela Fernandez (Colombia); Cartagena 2018
Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia); Cartagena 2018
(left to right): Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia), Dr. Alexandra Mieth (Colombia); Cartagena 2018
(left to right): Dr. Angela Gutierrez (Colombia), Dr. Paulo Dantas (Brazil), Dr. Alexandra Mieth (Colombia), Dr. Eduardo Arenas (Colombia); Cartagena 2018
Letter of Condolence by the Colombian Society of Ophthalmology
(click here to read the pdf)
Tributes to Dr. Arenas by ASOMINT Medicina Integrativa
Cuando un amigo se va….
EDUARDO ARENAS ARCHILA. Our fathers, Ophthalmologists, were close friends. We lived in different cities and met in New York, in 1966, both starting our fellowships. Ever since, we became fraternal friends, sharing many of our projects, trips, and feelings. He helped me in most of my enterprises and allowed me to learn from many of his. Living thousands of miles apart we talked at least once a month, like two weeks ago, and met at least once a year. Our children called him Uncle when kids and nowdays. My wife Norha called him Brother. I could testify his toughness at tragedy, like when his dear brother Ophtalmologist Mario passed away tragically. I coud testify his joyful optimism, his wish to learn, to teach, to help. His inmense kindness, his firm attitude when right was assaulted. His eternal good humour. ¿How can I not feel very happy when I see every body praising him, expressing their admiration and their love? ¿How can I stop crying? Glory to Amalia and to Alexandra who made his life happy. I frankly beleived he would never leave us.
Carlos Vera Cristo MD
Dear Paulo:
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Eduardo Arenas’ passing. He was a brilliant and lovely man who always paired his brilliance with kindness and sincerity. He will be missed by all of us in the PAAO.
Abraços,
Mark
Mark J. Mannis, MD, FACS
Fosse Endowed Chair in Vision Science Research
Professor and Chair
Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science