Melynda Torres, OD

Dr. Melynda Torres is a highly experienced optometrist and the founder of Salt and Light Eye Care, a boutique, concierge-style practice in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is the lead clinician, providing personalized, patient-centered care in a private, welcoming environment. Her practice model emphasizes individualized attention and offers flexible concierge and home visit options, making high-quality eye care accessible and convenient for every patient.

Born and raised in New Mexico, Dr. Torres developed a strong commitment to serving her community through faith-based, mission-driven care. She earned undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology from the University of New Mexico before pursuing her Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) at the Southern California College of Optometry, now Ketchum University. She completed her residency at the Albuquerque Veterans Hospital, where she gained extensive experience in ocular disease management and refined her patient-centered approach.

Dr. Torres specializes in dry eye management, a passion inspired by her own experience with chronic dry eye following LASIK surgery. She is recognized as a key opinion leader (KOL) for Lumenis OptiLight IPL and OptiPLUS, collaborating with surgeons to support patients before and after ocular procedures. Her clinical philosophy emphasizes early intervention, and she advocates for IPL treatment for patients experiencing irritation, blurry vision, or contact lens intolerance, even when other solutions have failed.

In addition to ocular health, Dr. Torres offers advanced aesthetic services, including TriLift — a non-invasive, needle-free procedure that tones, lifts, and rejuvenates the face by stimulating natural collagen and muscle tone. This service reflects her holistic approach, supporting patients in looking and feeling their best while enhancing overall well-being.

Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Torres is deeply committed to giving back. Through Salt and Light Eye Care’s global missions outreach, a portion of every service supports free eye care for underserved populations locally and internationally. Her dedication to service demonstrates that for her, optometry is not just a profession but a calling to improve lives through both vision care and community support.

Dr. Torres is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of optometrists. She provides guidance on building and growing private practices with a patient-centered focus, helping new graduates feel confident in establishing mission-driven careers. Her work has earned recognition, including being selected to represent New Mexico in America’s Best in Medicine for 2025–2026, reflecting her clinical excellence and commitment to innovation, service, and patient care.

• Southern California College of Optometry — Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
• University of New Mexico — Undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology

• Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)

• Selected for America’s Best in Medicine, New Mexico edition (2025–2026)

• Member, Live Out Loud Community (faith-based business group)

• Founder, Salt and Light on a Mission (nonprofit)
• Mission-based and community-focused eye care initiatives

Dr. Mindy was born and raised in New Mexico, with a heart to serve her community through faith-based, personalized care. She earned her degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of New Mexico and went on to receive her Doctor of Optometry from the Southern California College of Optometry. She completed her residency at the Veteran’s Hospital in Albuquerque, where she deepened her expertise in ocular disease and patient-centered care.

After experiencing chronic dry eye herself following LASIK and her return to New Mexico’s arid climate, Dr. Mindy made it her mission to specialize in dry eye diagnosis and advanced treatment. She is a KOL (key opinion leader) for Lumenis OptiLight IPL and OptiPLUS and has worked alongside surgeons to support patients pre- and post-operatively, finding that addressing dry eye early is critical to long-term success. In her experience, nearly every patient experiencing irritation, blurry vision, or contact lens intolerance is likely a great candidate for IPL treatment, even if they’ve been told nothing could help.

Dr. Mindy also offers aesthetic services, including TriLift — an all-natural, needle-free facelift that tones, lifts, and rejuvenates the face by activating the skin’s natural collagen and muscle tone. It’s just one more way she supports women (and men) in looking and feeling their best from the inside out.

Her heart for healing extends beyond the exam room. Through Salt + Light’s global missions outreach, a portion of every service supports free eye care for underserved communities both locally and around the world. For Dr. Mindy, eye care is more than a profession — it’s a calling.