Arielle Spitze, MD

Education

  • Eastern Virginia Medical School
  • Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins University Fellowship in Ophthalmic Pathology Research and Diagnosis
  • University Of Texas, Houston Residency in Ophthalmology
  • Houston Methodist Hospital Fellowship in Neuro-Ophthalmology
  • University of California, San Diego Shiley Eye Center Fellowship in Glaucoma Surgery
  • Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Eastern Virginia Medical School

About Me

Dr. Arielle Spitze was born and raised in Northern California, where she attended both the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Davis. She was an avid clarinet player and member of the Cal Band. She was also captain and president of the UC Davis Horse Polo team, which competed at Nationals both years under her leadership. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, graduating Cum Laude with a degree in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior, in addition to a minor in Equestrian Studies. Medical school was completed at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where she was the president of the ‘Sight Savers’ glaucoma screening community outreach group. This experience enlightened and fostered a profound interest in ophthalmology and glaucoma research, for which she was awarded numerous research awards. She completed her internship in Family Medicine through the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University at the Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News, Virginia. Ophthalmology residency training was concluded at the nationally-recognized Houston medical center, through the University of Texas at Houston, the Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Dr. Spitze completed 3 additional ophthalmology sub-specialty fellowships. The first was completed at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD in ophthalmic pathology research and diagnosis. The second fellowship, neuro-ophthalmology, was achieved through the mentorship of nationally recognized neuro-ophthalmologist, Dr Andrew Lee, at the Houston Methodist Hospital. This year was dedicated towards the study of neurologic disorders that simultaneously affect the visual pathway. The third fellowship was completed in the surgical and medical management of glaucoma at the Shiley Eye Center/Hamilton Glaucoma Center, located at the University of California, San Diego. Under the mentorship of internationally renowned mentor and glaucoma researcher Dr. Robert Weinreb, Dr Spitze was involved with some of the most innovative and cutting-edge research and training. During her training, the Shiley Eye Center and Hamilton Glaucoma Center were selected by Expertscape as the world’s leading institution for glaucoma research, including many of the world’s leading glaucoma physicians. She also has maintained active membership and participation in the national association for research in vision and ophthalmology (ARVO) society, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Glaucoma Society (AGS), and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmological Society (NANOS).

At Virginia Ophthalmology Associates, Dr. Spitze primarily specializes in the medical, laser, and surgical treatment of glaucoma, including tube shunts and trabeculectomies, as well as the surgical treatment of complicated and refractive cataract surgery. She also provides consultation in the diagnosis and management of neuro-ophthalmological diseases (affecting the eyes and brain), and additionally, manages comprehensive eye care.

In her free time, Dr. Spitze enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle, including camping and hiking, playing sports such as soccer, ice hockey, and horse polo, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and dog.