RetinalVascularOcclusion near Bayside, NY

Biography: Vlad Diaconita, MD is an Assistant Professor in Ophthalmology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and a retina specialist. Dr. Diaconita is double board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Dr. Diaconita completed a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Neuroscience and Physiology from the University of Toronto and a Doctor of Medicine Degree from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University in Ontario, Canada. He completed a five-year residency program in Ophthalmology followed by a two-year surgical retina fellowship at Columbia University. He has been recognized with awards and grants as a medical educator, researcher and has been a panelist and speaker at national and international conferences. He is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retinal Surgeons, Canadian Ophthalmology Society, Canadian Retina Society, VitBuckle Society as well as other national and international groups. His research interests include macular degeneration, diabetes and vein occlusion treatment, as well as the application of artificial intelligence in ophthalmic imaging.

Care Philosophy: It is my goal to give patients with neurological visual disorders the finest and most compassionate care possible. Whether they suffer from loss of vision, double vision, unstable eye movements or problems with the lids and pupils, I recognize that my patients' whole lives may be affected. They deserve a careful diagnosis, state of the art treatment and caring and clear communication about their visual health. Together, we can do our best to improve our patients' vision and lives.

Biography: Srilaxmi Bearelly, MD, MHS is a retina specialist with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions, choroidal neovascularization and macular disorders. Her experience in the treatment of retinal diseases started with a seven-year tenure on the Vitreoretinal Service at Duke University Eye Center in North Carolina (2003 to 2010). Since then, she joined Columbia's faculty in 2010. She has treated thousands of patients, and helped patients and their families through their treatments. She has also volunteered her medical expertise in underserviced areas, such as El Salvador and rural United States. Dr. Bearelly received her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, received her M.D. from Northwestern University Medical School, and a Masters of Health Sciences from Duke University School of Medicine. Following her ophthalmology training at Northwestern University, she completed her fellowship training in diseases of the retina and vitreous at Duke University Eye Center. She has written 70 articles, chapters and abstracts, and frequently presents at scientific and professional conferences both nationally and abroad. Currently, Dr. Bearelly is a collaborator on a Columbia University clinical study of retinal changes in preeclamspia (a disease of pregnancy). She is recognized as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in Ophthalmology, and with Castle Connolly's Exceptional Women in Medicine award. She received several research awards, including an NIH/NEI K12 and K23 Mentored Research Career Award, and a Young Investigator Award by Retinal Degenerations Symposium at the International Congress of Eye Research Meeting in China. Dr. Bearelly has been certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS).

Biography: Donald J. D'Amico, MD, Professor and Chair of the Israel Englander Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, is an internationally recognized leader in the field of vitreoretinal surgery. He assumed the Chair at Weill Cornell in 2006 after his longstanding positions at Harvard Medical School as Professor of Ophthalmology, and as Associate Chief of Ophthalmology and Director of the Diabetic Unit at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois College of Medicine, he completed his residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He completed his fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, followed by selection as Chief Resident in Ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary prior to joining the Harvard faculty.Dr. D'Amico has published over 175 articles on vitreoretinal diseases and has co-edited two books covering comprehensive retinal themes. He has participated as a principal investigator or co-investigator in many clinical trials and laboratory investigations. His major interests include: vitreoretinal surgery; diabetic retinopathy; macular degeneration; experimental lasers and other technologies for the surgical treatment of vitreoretinal disorders such as retinal detachment, macular holes and epiretinal membranes; and endophthalmitis and intravitreal drug therapy. As attending physician specializing in the care of patients with vitreoretinal disorders at the Israel Englander Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. D'Amico also provides direct instruction of medical students, ophthalmology residents, and retina fellows. In this role he has twice received the Teacher of the Year Award given by the residents of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.Dr. D'Amico is a distinguished national and international lecturer and is the recipient of many honors, including the Honor Award and the Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He serves on the board of four major journals, and is highly active in professional societies. He is a past President of the Retina Society, and is the immediate past President of the prestigious international retinal organization Club Jules Gonin.Donald J. D'Amico, M.D., Professor and Chair of the Israel Englander Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, discusses diabetic retinopathy, a retina disorder caused by complications of diabetes.