Our retina specialists are nationally recognized for their expertise, innovation, and leadership in vitreoretinal care. With hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and active roles in top professional organizations, they are shaping the future of ophthalmology. They contribute to and lead organizations such as: the American Academy of Ophthalmology; the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology; Women in Ophthalmology; the American Society of Retina Specialists; and Combat Blindness International.
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It is an extremely exciting time in the field of inherited retinal diseases. We have better tools for diagnosis and many therapeutic interventions currently in clinical trials for these blinding diseases.
Kimberly Stepien, MD
Clinical Care
In partnership with UW Health, our nationally recognized retina specialists deliver exceptional care for a wide range of retinal conditions—from macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy to retinal detachment and inherited diseases. Our team combines advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge treatments, and compassionate care to help patients preserve and restore vision.
Our Specialized Services
- Surgical Retina
Expert care for complex conditions like retinal detachment, macular holes, and diabetic complications. Our surgeons use advanced techniques such as vitrectomy and laser therapy to achieve the best outcomes. - Inherited Retinal Diseases
Home to Wisconsin’s only dedicated IRD clinic, offering genetic testing, counseling, stem cell therapies, and access to groundbreaking clinical trials. - Ocular Genetics
Personalized care through advanced imaging, genetic diagnostics, and collaboration with genetic counselors to guide treatment decisions. - Autoimmune Eye Diseases
One of only three specialists in Wisconsin provides expert care using local and systemic immunosuppressive therapies, in close partnership with rheumatology and other specialties.
Education
Our ophthalmology residency and fellowship programs provide comprehensive training in both medical and surgical retina, ensuring that clinicians are well-rounded and equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in the field of ophthalmology.
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- Comprehensive, Hands-On Clinical Experience
Trainees manage a wide range of retinal conditions—from macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy to complex surgical cases like retinal detachments and macular holes. - Last year alone, our retina team performed nearly 1,000 surgeries.
- Dynamic Learning EnvironmentResident training includes weekly retina clinics, two retina service rotations, VA rotations, annual wet lab training, and our weekly interactive Retina Work Out.
- Fellowship Excellence
Fellows receive in-depth training across subspecialties including ocular tumors, ocular genetics, inherited retinal diseases, uveitis, and pediatric retina. They perform cases including vitrectomy, scleral buckle, macular surgery, IOL surgery, plaque placement, foreign body removal and endophthalmitis treatment, lasers, and pneumatic retinopexy. - High Surgical Volume
Last year our retina team, including our clinical fellow, performed over 1,000 surgeries. - Academic Opportunities
Present at Grand Rounds, the Matthew Davis Lecture, Current Concepts, and state and national conferences. - Global Experiences
Opportunity to participate in global rotations in the Philippines or India. - Live and Learn in Madison
Enjoy world-class training in one of the most vibrant, livable cities in the country.
- Comprehensive, Hands-On Clinical Experience
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Research
Our faculty are leading the charge to prevent vision loss and restore sight through groundbreaking research. From pioneering technologies to first-in-human clinical trials, we’re shaping the future of retinal care—offering hope to patients worldwide.
- Adaptive Optics
Cutting-edge imaging technology that reveals the retina at the cellular level, revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment of inherited retinal diseases. - Clinical Eye Research Unit
Contributing to more than 90 active studies, including federal and industry-sponsored trials, investigator-initiated studies, databases, and collaborative projects. - Wisconsin Reading Center
A global leader in imaging research, AI development, and clinical trials—including NIH-funded studies and adaptive optics innovations. - Inherited Retinal Diseases
Participating in the world’s first human trial using stem cell-derived photoreceptors to treat advanced inherited retinal diseases. - IRIS Registry
Harnessing big data through the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s IRIS Registry to improve care, fuel research, and expand learning opportunities.
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