A retina specialist is an ophthalmologist who underwent an additional two years of subspecialty training in clinical and surgical management of retinal disease.
Retina specialists’ training begins in residency, where they are exposed to each of the major sub-specialties in ophthalmology, including retinal diseases and surgery. Following residency, the graduated ophthalmologist participates in a two-year vitreoretinal fellowship, which typically involves the doctor working alongside experienced retinal surgeons in the clinics and operating rooms of a high-volume medical center.
During this training, retina fellows become experienced in the diagnosis, clinical and surgical management, and long-term course of complex retinal disease such as macular degeneration, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, and macular pucker.
Upon graduation from vitreoretinal surgical fellowship, retina doctors are experienced in performing a number of complex retinal procedures, including retinal detachment repair, epiretinal membrane peel, eye injections, and retinal laser.