Dr. Ann Cardona

Discovering your career path from an early age is a rare thing these days, but for Dr. Ann Cardona, the seed of becoming an Optometrist was planted early following an eye exam at the age of 9. It was through personal experience of wearing glasses/contact lenses — combined with the genuine curiosity of understanding how the visual system truly works — that sparked into a career choice and a passion.

Dr. Cardona attended the University of Nevada, Reno, receiving an undergraduate degree in Human and Community Sciences: Pre-Medicine. While finishing up the last of her prerequisite undergrad courses, she worked as an ophthalmic technician for Dr. Angelini, gaining invaluable experience, but also establishing a great professional relationship what would later lead to her returning to Downtown Vision as an associate optometrist.

Dr. Cardona earned her doctorate from Indiana University, School of Optometry. Interested in more medical training, she chose to complete an ocular disease residency at the Northern Indiana Health Care Systems VA Medical Center in Fort Wayne, IN, where she routinely dealt with the treatment and management of glaucoma, macular degeneration, as well as other retinal eye conditions in the geriatric population. Dr. Cardona’s particular area of interest lies in ocular disease treatment and management and complex eye conditions, but also welcomes those of all age groups needing routine and contact lens fittings.

Upon completion of her residency, Dr. Cardona returned to Reno and Downtown Vision where she has been in practice since 2009. Patient education is very important to Dr. Cardona. She strongly believes patient care should be a collaborative process between patient and doctor. She takes the time to explain things thoroughly so that patients can better understand their condition, their treatment plan, and better participate and succeed in managing their own care.

Dr. Ann Cardona is a native to Nevada, having grown up in northeastern Nevada with her parents and four sisters. Dr. Cardona is fluent in Spanish. When not in the office, Dr. Cardona enjoys spending quality time with friends and family. Her hobbies include Crossfit WOD training at her local gym and occasionally even competing in Crossfit competitions. She also enjoys running and has competed in the Reno-Tahoe Odyssey 178-mile team relay race multiple times.