To newly trained retina specialists, the term medical retina specialist is nothing new, but to those who have been in practice for more than a decade, it may seem a bit foreign. What was once considered a field focused primarily on inherited retinal disorders has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. The medical retina fellowship, which itself is relatively new, began as a distinct training program in response to dramatic changes in the treatment paradigms for many retina disorders. As treatment options and technologies have evolved, the majority of retinal diseases can be successfully treated in the outpatient office setting with procedures such as intravitreal injections, laser, and cryotherapy.
AT A GLANCE
• Common procedures performed by medical retina specialists include laser therapy, intravitreal injections, and cryotherapy.
• Founded in 2014, the International Society for the Advancement of Medical Retina is the first dedicated medical retina society in the United States.
The widespread use and success of intravitreal injections for diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, wet
age-related macular degeneration, and macular edema related to retinal vein occlusion have not only revolutionized patient care but have also dramatically increased the burden of treatment for retina specialists, as many of these patients require treatment every 4 to 6 weeks. Retina specialists are in high demand given this treatment burden.
WHAT IS A MEDICAL RETINA SPECIALIST?
A medical retina specialist completes a 1-year fellowship in vitreoretinal disease. Obtaining a medical retina fellowship is competitive, as there are only a handful of spots available at elite programs in the United States. A surgical retina specialist completes a 1- or 2-year fellowship, depending on the program, with the second year generally spent in the OR. There is no significant difference in the medical retina training between the two fellowships.
The medical retina specialist model, which allows the clinician to function as a retina specialist and as a comprehensive ophthalmologist, works well within multispecialty groups. Patients who visit a multispecialty office with a medical retina specialist on staff enjoy the convenience of receiving treatment in the same office where they receive all of their ophthalmic care. A good example of someone who would benefit from coordinated care is a patient with neovascular glaucoma who needs coordinated retina and glaucoma care. Further, a medical retina specialist may generate more in revenue than a general ophthalmologist from the additional procedures that he or she can perform in the office.
Medical retina specialists can also play an important role in retina-only practices. A medical retina specialist can increase the practice’s patient volume and generate increased surgical caseload for his or her surgical colleagues.
SAME INTENT, DIFFERENT ANGLE
Medical retina specialists have the same goals in mind as their surgical counterparts: to successfully treat patients in a safe and efficient manner. Whether as part of a multispecialty or retina-only practice, medical retina specialists offer the latest in-office treatment for retinal diseases. n
Jordana G. Fein, MD, MS
• medical retina specialist at Eye Physicians of Virginia in Reston, Va.
• financial disclosure: cofounder of The International Society for the Advancement of Medical Retina
• jgorenmd@gmail.com
Heeral R. Shah, MD
• medical retina specialist at Ramesh R. Shah, MD, PC, in Joplin, Mo.
• financial disclosure: cofounder of The International Society for the Advancement of Medical Retina
• heeralshahmd@gmail.com
_1773249222.png?auto=compress,format&w=75)
