George Homer Ray, MD

Ophthalmologist, General Surgeon

Founder

Dr. George Homer Ray, a Kentucky Colonel, decided to become an ophthalmologist after more than 15 years as a successful general surgeon.  He completed his training at the distinguished New York Eye & Ear Infirmary.  There he was trained under Dr. Wendell Hughes and was a classmate of Dr. Byron Smith, who were both  revolutionary in ocular-plastic surgery.

After completing his training in the late fifties, he started his practice in down town Washington DC adjacent to the Doctors Hospital on Eye Street and 19^th.  He participated in the training of numerous ophthalmologists at Georgetown University, Sibley hospital and the Washington National Eye Center.  He was an active member of the International Eye Foundation and the prevention of Blindness society.  Except when occasionally enjoying farming and dog grooming, all of his time was spent treating the eye.

 From its inception, in the mid fifties, the practice of Dr. Ray was totally and completely integrated.  He treated every eye and everybody that entered his office, the rich and the poor, the educated and the illiterate, the native and the traveling international community (....so close to the World Bank) in the same decent and compassionate way. He was later joined by his son Dr. Ronnie Ray and later Dr. Bert Souryal to whom he passed down much of his considerable expertise.  Dr. Ray and Dr. Souryal were among the first surgeons in Washington DC to perform cataract surgery with the implantation of intraocular lens negating the need for thick glasses.

He was a gracious, wise, southern gentleman that was a great, well trained general surgeon and ophthalmologist who saved many people from death and blindness.  He gave many children hope to be able to see and to live normal lives again.  Many of them, including their children, grandchildren and great grand children continue to receive their eye care here. Never angry, never loud, always a caring word in the most difficult situations.

This was George Homer Ray. MD

(Founder)

Bert Souryal MD

Bert Souryal, MD

Ophthalmologist

Dr. Bert Souryal was raised in Cairo Egypt, where he studied at the University of Cairo, the oldest and the largest university in the entire Middle East in the specialty of Ophthalmology.  After completion with National Board Qualifications, he joined the Temple University/Wills Eye Training Program completing additional ophthalmology training in 1975.

Later, he was asked by Dr. George Homer Ray to join his practice and then became among the first ophthalmologists in the area to perform cataract surgery with the implantation of intraocular lenses.  Later, leading in the area of small incision cataract surgery with the use of phacoemulsification.  In addition to general ophthalmic surgery, under the tutelage of Dr. John McTigue, Dr. Souryal is an expert in laser, glaucoma and corneal transplantation surgeries.

Dr. Souryal is a professor of ophthalmology at Georgetown University, George Washington University and Sibley Hospital and remains active in the training of ophthalmologists, here and abroad.  It was through such activities that he met and later asked Dr. Reginald Barnes to join him in practice.

Dr. Souryal and his practice are dedicated to the Lord, and by such administers to the entire body and mind in addition to the eye.  He is a kind and generous personality. Time each year is spent abroad as a medical missionary teaching and performing surgery in numerous countries often under difficult conditions.

Dr. Souryal is fluent in Arabic and English is available in the office on Tuesday mornings or by special appointment.

God has been faithful

Reginald Barnes Jr. MD

Reginald Da’Costa Barnes Jr. MD

Ophthalmology

Endocrinology & Metabolism

Dr. Reginald Barnes background is extraordinarily broad, encompassing many endeavors.  He received his medical degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1990.  He then completed an Internship in Medicine at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.  Further he went on to complete an Internal Medicine residency at the Washington Hospital Center.  He then completed a fellowship in Endocrinology & Metabolism at the Howard University Hospital.  This was followed by his Ophthalmology residency, which included intense training in general ophthalmic, vitreo-retinal, laser and refractive surgery at the Washington National Eye Center.    In addition, he serves as an Instructor of Ophthalmology at the Washington National Eye Center and the George Washington University Hospital Department of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Barnes is perhaps the only physician in the United States trained in both Endocrinology & Metabolism and Ophthalmology

Dr. Barnes uses all of his background to treat the eye.  “…I simply want everyone to reach and maintain their maximum visual potential…..…until that day when every eye shall see Him!”

I have worked with Dr. Barnes, both as an instructor at the Washington National Eye Center and now as an associate over the last four years.  On a personal level, I can say that Dr. Barnes is intelligent, compassionate, open and articulate.  He cares a great deal about his patients, not only about their eyes but their entire well being.  His manner with everyone is kind and gentle.  We are indeed proud and happy to have him associated with us here in our practice of ophthalmology and surgery.

Dr. Barnes serves as Medical Director of our F Street office and practices ophthalmology on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday or by special appointment.

“Until that day”

Bert Souryal, M.D.

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