Brent E. Shelley, O.D. grew up in Indiana but proudly calls the Las Cruces – El Paso region home. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology degree and his Doctorate of Optometry at Indiana University. While at Indiana University, Dr. Shelley was awarded the IU Teaching Excellence Recognition Award and then served as visiting faculty.
After graduating high school at 16, Dr. Shelley spent a year studying as a Rotary foreign exchange student in Denmark and traveled through Europe. Upon his return to the states, he served five years in the United States Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of sergeant and earned various medals and commendations.
In 2003 Dr. Shelley opened the Shelley Eye Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he served the community until 2018 at which time he took a sabbatical to travel Asia with his son. Upon his return to the region in 2020, he chose to partner with Southwest Eye Institute given their combined passion for providing excellent eye care. Dr. Shelley lectures nationally on various issues in eye care and patient management. He has received various appointments and awards during his career to include serving as the President of the New Mexico Optometric Association and Vice-President of the Southwest Council of Optometry, as well as having received the New Mexico Young Optometrist of the Year award and the President’s Award.
Outside of the office, Dr. Shelley is a Master SCUBA Diver Instructor, an avid sailor, a triathlete having completed three full IronMan competitions, and a board member for the Mesilla Valley CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). He speaks Spanish and Danish.
