About Us

Southwest Eye Institute was established in 2004 by Dr. Marc Ellman. Since then, it has grown to be the largest and most comprehensive ophthalmology practice in the greater El Paso area. Our mission is to deliver cutting-edge treatments in a compassionate and patient-focused way, treating every individual with the same care and respect we would offer our family.

By combining state-of-the-art technology with a warm, welcoming environment, we strive to be the trusted partner in helping you see life more clearly. We’re deeply connected to the vibrant communities we serve, welcoming patients from El Paso, West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and even across borders and oceans. Whether restoring vision, enhancing quality of life, or training the next generation of eye care professionals, we’re here to make exceptional care accessible to everyone. At Southwest Eye Institute, we don’t just treat eyes—we’re dedicated to transforming lives, one moment of clarity at a time.

In addition, we foster a supportive workplace for all of our staff,  and provide opportunities to educate the next generation of healthcare providers.

Our Services

Comprehensive eye care: We offer comprehensive eye exams to people of all ages. These exams include vision checks, screenings for conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration, and refraction services for people needing corrective lenses.

LASIK and PRK: At our VIP Laser Center, patients will get concierge-level attention and a personalized approach to care. We provide a no-rush consultation where patients can explore detailed patient education using eyesight selector software and meet with an experienced team that can provide detailed custom surgical planning to meet your everyday visual needs. We also offer optional massage therapy and light sedation prior to surgery, and you will have direct access to your physician post-surgery.

Cataract surgery: We are the first practice in Texas to offer “No Drop, No Prescription “cataract surgery that eliminates the need for eye drops and saves patients hundreds of dollars in prescription fees. We treat each patient like a VIP, offering personalized treatment planning, a wide selection of intraocular lens options, and direct access to your physician after surgery.

Eye health management: We offer the most advanced treatments for eye conditions like glaucoma, pterygium, diabetic retinopathy, and more. Our team is committed to managing your care and protecting your vision over the long term.

We offer a complimentary monovision contact lens trial for patients who are considering LASIK later in life and wish to maintain some degree of near vision.*

***This trial is only indicated if a patient is presbyopic (age 45 and older and needing to use readers over contact lenses or glasses or in bifocals.***

Our Team

At Southwest Eye Institute, our diverse team of ophthalmologists and optometrists is dedicated to providing exceptional eye care. Our specialists have a broad range of experience and knowledge to manage every aspect of eye health.

Our doctors are experienced in preventive care and general eye health, advanced corneal surgery techniques, retinal conditions including diabetic retinopathy, laser-assisted cataract surgery, and glaucoma treatment.

The doctors at Southwest Eye Institute are also teaching the next generation of eye care professionals by working as lecturers at educational institutions and contributing to textbooks and research studies. In addition, our team includes two oculoplastic specialists who offer specialized eyelid care, including cosmetic and therapeutic eyelid surgery.

No matter what your eye health needs are, the medical team at Southwest Eye Institute can offer state-of-the-art care from an experienced doctor.

Locations

We have multiple convenient office locations in the El Paso, Texas, and Las Cruces, New Mexico, areas, including our East, West, Northeast, and Las Cruces clinics.

For optimal convenience, our VIP Laser Center and Vista Surgery Center are located adjacent to our West and East clinic locations, respectively.

Patient Testimonials

“I have received a gift of life because now I can see far and near, and this has made my life so much better. I traveled from Puebla to El Paso for my operation because of the reputation of the Southwest Eye Institute. They treated me great. I felt comfortable and calm as the doctor and his team gave me great confidence.” — Eloisa, cataract surgery patient

“Dr. De la Torre and his staff conducted a professional, detailed evaluation and screening and walked me through the different corrective options. I have to say I am completely happy and satisfied with the whole process. You can’t trust your eyes to just anyone.” — Ferdinand, laser vision correction patient

Training Future Professionals

We are dedicated to educating up-and-coming healthcare providers in both the science and art of eye care. Through lecturing, mentoring, and clinical teaching, we pass our knowledge to healthcare providers in all stages of training.

Southwest Eye Institute is proud to partner with the American Vision Partners network. American Vision Partners is focused on maintaining the quality of vision care you have always come to expect from Southwest Eye Institute. For our patients, you can expect to work with the same doctors and staff you have always trusted for your ophthalmology needs.

Benefits for our Patients:

Enhanced Services:

We will continue to introduce new treatment options to always provide the best, most innovative eye care options.

The Convenience of an Expanded Geographic Footprint:

Now as an American Vision Partners Affiliate, patients can also visit any of our affiliate locations where you will receive the same quality of care you have come to expect from us. With multiple locations throughout Texas and New Mexico, patients can access the best possible provider for their needs, closer to home, and with less wait time.

Greater Process Efficiency:

We will introduce new systems and tools to ensure our patients receive care promptly while spending less time on scheduling and billing issues.

Our Mission

To change lives by improving and preserving sight.