About

Samantha Herretes, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist with additional fellowship training in cornea disorders. She is a native Spanish speaker, fluent in English and offers bilingual care for eye diseases including cataracts, keratoconus and Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy. Dr. Herretes is also a surgical specialist in corneal transplantation, endothelial transplantation and refractive surgeries including LASIK.

Our eyes are a critical connection to the outside world and other people, and Dr. Herretes believes strongly in providing care that allows every person to feel comfortable, informed and confident in their treatment decisions. By understanding the needs of each of her patients, she provides clear communication and personalized care based on trust and evidence. Her favorite part of being a doctor is caring for patients and seeing their smiles after their vision improves.

Dr. Herretes’ hobbies include tennis and pickleball, reading, listening to audiobooks and spending time outside and with family. She and her husband have two children and two dogs: Luna, a mini Australian shepherd, and Daisy, a Jack Russell terrier.

Education & Training

Medical School

Universidad Central de Venezuela

Internship

Surgery (General Surgery)

  • St. Louis University School of Medicine/Medical Center

Residency

Ophthalmology

  • University of Missouri School of Medicine-Kansas City

Fellowship

Cornea and External Disease

  • University of Missouri School of Medicine

Boards

American Board of Ophthalmology

Insurances

MU Health Care participates with most major managed care organizations. To find out whether MU Health Care is a participating provider in your insurance plan or network, or for information on co-payments and deductibles, please contact your insurance carrier directly.

Academic Information

Director of Residency Program
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Research Profile

Samantha Herretes, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist with surgical expertise in caring for complex diseases of the ocular surface and supporting tissues and research experience in advancing care for ocular diseases. Her clinical interests include treating cataracts, corneal and external diseases and refractive surgery.

Dr. Herretes’ research efforts include groundbreaking advancements in the treatment of corneal endothelial dystrophy by injecting magnetic human corneal endothelial cells. She has also published research work in the journal “Ocular Surface Disease” and on the topics of ocular graft-versus-host disease and corneal burns. Dr. Herretes is excited for the potential of new technologies to offer less invasive solutions for surgical problems.

Research Interests

  • Corneal transplantation
  • Corneal endothelial cell transplantation
  • Neurotrophic keratitis
  • Ocular surface disease

Areas of Expertise

  • Cataracts
  • Corneal transplantation
  • Endothelial transplantation
  • Refractive surgery
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy
  • Keratoconus