Gabriel Dib, FNP-C

Gabriel cares for the full range of retinal disease, from common age-related conditions to urgent problems that need prompt attention. With more than 20 years of retina experience, he evaluates and manages diseases affecting the retina, macula, and vitreous.

Conditions Gabriel treats include macular degeneration (both dry and wet AMD), diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, retinal artery occlusion, retinal tears and detachment, macular pucker, and flashes and floaters.

If your optometrist or primary care doctor has told you that you need to see a retina specialist, Gabriel can evaluate your condition and explain what your options are. Call (941) 351-1200 for our Sarasota offices or (941) 202-1900 for Venice Retina.

A nurse practitioner is a licensed clinician with advanced training who evaluates patients, orders and interprets testing, and provides treatment. In retina care, that includes dilated retinal exams, imaging review, eye injections, and managing chronic conditions over time.

Gabriel came to the role by an unusual path. He earned a medical degree and completed ophthalmology training in Venezuela, then trained in surgical retina and spent 11 years performing vitreoretinal surgery there. After moving to the United States he worked alongside Dr. Thomas Shane as a retinal surgical assistant before earning his nurse practitioner degree here.

The practical result is that patients see someone with more than 20 years of retina experience. Gabriel works as part of the Shane Retina physician team, and an on-call physician is available around the clock for urgent problems.

Yes. Gabriel is a native Spanish speaker from Venezuela, where he trained and practiced for more than a decade before coming to the United States.

For Spanish-speaking patients throughout Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, and North Port, that means your exam, your diagnosis, and your treatment plan are explained directly, without a family member or staff member having to interpret. That matters with retinal disease, where understanding your condition and keeping to a treatment schedule affects how much vision you keep.

Finding a Spanish-speaking retina provider in the Sarasota and Venice area is not always easy. To schedule an appointment with Gabriel, call (941) 351-1200 for our Sarasota offices or (941) 202-1900 for Venice.

Para hacer una cita con Gabriel, llame al (941) 351-1200 para Sarasota o al (941) 202-1900 para Venice.

Gabriel sees patients at all three Shane Retina offices, which makes him the most widely available provider in the practice.

Our University Parkway office in North Sarasota sits just west of I-75 in University Health Park, convenient for Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, and Parrish. Our South Tamiami Trail office is just south of Bee Ridge Road, serving South Sarasota and Siesta Key. Venice Retina is on Venetia Bay Boulevard near the heart of Venice, serving Venice, North Port, and Englewood.

To schedule at either Sarasota office, call (941) 351-1200. For Venice Retina, call (941) 202-1900.

Eye injections are the most common treatment in retina care, and most patients receiving them long term will see more than one member of our team over the course of their treatment. Gabriel performs injections at all three offices.

Your treatment plan is set with your physician and followed consistently, so the medication, the interval, and the eye being treated stay the same regardless of who administers the injection. Your imaging and records travel with you between our offices.

Gabriel earned his medical degree and completed his ophthalmology training at the University of Zulia in Venezuela. He then completed surgical retina training at the University Hospital of Maracaibo and the Teaching Institute of Ophthalmological Specialties.

He spent 11 years performing vitreoretinal surgery in Venezuela, during which he participated in clinical trials, published research papers, and lectured in his field. He has coordinated and presented at national and international ophthalmology conferences.

After relocating to the United States, Gabriel worked as a retinal surgical assistant alongside Dr. Thomas Shane, who recognized his expertise in the retinal operating room. Gabriel earned his nurse practitioner degree in the United States and joined Shane Retina, bringing more than 20 years of eye care experience to the practice.

In most cases you do not need a referral, and you are welcome to call and schedule an appointment directly. Many patients come to Shane Retina on their own after noticing symptoms like new floaters, flashes of light, or changes in their vision.

That said, some insurance plans require a referral from your primary care doctor or optometrist before they will cover a visit to a specialist. It is worth checking with your insurance provider so you understand your coverage before your appointment.

Many patients are referred by their optometrist or primary care physician after a problem is found during a routine exam. Whether you were referred or are reaching out on your own, our team can help you schedule and will work with your eye care provider when needed. To make an appointment, call (941) 351-1200 for Sarasota or (941) 202-1900 for Venice.

At your first visit, Gabriel will review your symptoms and medical history, examine your eyes, and perform a dilated retinal exam to get a clear view of the back of the eye. Depending on your situation, advanced imaging such as OCT may also be used to look at the retina in detail.

Plan to be at the office for a couple of hours. The dilating drops take time to work and will leave your vision blurry and light-sensitive for several hours afterward, so it is a good idea to bring sunglasses and arrange for someone to drive you home.

Once the exam and any imaging are complete, Gabriel will explain what he found in clear terms, answer your questions, and discuss a treatment plan if one is needed. You will leave understanding your diagnosis and the next steps for protecting your vision.

Yes, Shane Retina accepts Medicare and works with most major insurance plans. Because retinal conditions are medical conditions, your care is typically billed to your medical insurance rather than a vision plan.

Coverage can vary from plan to plan, so it is a good idea to confirm your benefits before your visit. Our team is happy to help you understand what your plan covers and answer questions about referrals or authorizations if your insurer requires them. You can also review our forms and insurance information before you come in.

If you have questions about insurance or want to confirm that your plan is accepted, call us at (941) 351-1200 and our staff will be glad to assist.

To make an appointment with Gabriel, call (941) 351-1200 for our two Sarasota offices or (941) 202-1900 for Venice Retina. Because Gabriel sees patients at all three locations, our team can find a time at whichever office is most convenient for you.

In most cases you can schedule directly without a referral, though some insurance plans may require one. If you are experiencing sudden symptoms such as a curtain or shadow over your vision, a sudden increase in floaters or flashes, or sudden vision loss, let us know when you call so we can arrange to see you as soon as possible.

You can also request an appointment through our contact page, and a member of our team will follow up with you.