Retina Research Center

The Retina Research Center's activities are supported by the Department of Surgery at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, and research grants from the NIH, the Macula Society, and generous patients and benefactors.

We are currently accepting applications for a one- or two-year International Retina Research Fellowship position. The overall goal of the position is not only to develop the research and teaching techniques necessary to maximize their future academic career potential, but also expose the fellow to the latest medical and surgical retina diagnostics and treatments. Please find more information about the position in the full posting.

International Retina Research Fellowship Notice (English Version)
International Retina Research Fellowship Notice (Chinese Version)

If you are interested in learning more about our research or would like to support our research endeavors, please contact me or my clinical research associate, Brendan Seto, at 617-667-3391.

Jorge G. Arroyo, MD, MPH
Director, Retina Research Center
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School

Ongoing Clinical Studies

We are committed to pushing forward the frontiers of knowledge in the area of retinal diseases and surgery. Some of the ongoing clinical research projects that we are involved in our listed below. For more information on these studies and/or to enroll, contact Brendan Seto at (617) 667-3391.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Epiretinal Membranes

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Studies: Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is frequently used by retina specialists to examine the structure of the retina. We previously studied the use of epiretinal membranes (ERMs) to predict outcomes following pars plana vitrectomy and membrane peel. We recently published a study observing OCT changes in relation to visual acuity in patients treated for vitreomacular traction.

Vitreomacular Traction Treatment Study

Vitreomacular traction (VMT) is a common condition that occurs when the vitreous, which is located inside the eye, liquefies with aging and tugs at the retina. When this occurs near the macula, which contains the most sensitive photoreceptors for visual acuity, worsened vision can result. We studied the cost-effectiveness and efficacy of various treatment options for VMT and found a non-surgical option called pneumatic vitreolysis that is more cost-effective and safer than current pharmaceutical options. We are continuing to study the long-term effects of the treatment options as well as combination therapies.

Selected Publications

Sun P, Tandias RM, Yu G, Arroyo JG. SPECTRAL DOMAIN OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS AND VISUAL OUTCOME AFTER TREATMENT FOR VITREOMACULAR TRACTION. Retina. 2018 Mar. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29595569
Jee D, Keum N, Kang S, Arroyo JG. Sleep and diabetic retinopathy. Acta Ophthalmol. 2017 Feb;95(1):41-47. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27473575
Yu G, Duguay J, Marra KV, Gautam S, Le Guern G, Begum S, Sharifzadeh A, Arroyo JG. Efficacy and safety of treatment options for vitreomacular traction: A Case Series and Meta-Analysis. Retina. 2016 Jul;36(7):1260-70. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26783988
Jee D, Kim EC, Cho E, Arroyo JG. Positive Association between Blood 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Pterygium after Control for Sunlight Exposure. PLoS One. 2016 Jun 10;11(6):e0157501. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27286036
Chang JS, Marra K, Flynn HW Jr, Berrocal AM, Arroyo JG. Scleral Buckling in the Treatment of Retinal Detachment Due to Retinal Dialysis. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2016 Apr 1;47(4):336-40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27065373
Marra KV, Wagley S, Kuperwaser MC, Campo R, Arroyo JG. Care of Older Adults: Role of Primary Care Physicians in the Treatment of Cataracts and Macular Degeneration. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2016 Feb;64(2):369-77. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26825587
Kovacs K, Marra KV, Yu G, Wagley S, Ma J, Teague GC, Nandakumar N, Lashkari K, Arroyo JG. Angiogenic and Inflammatory Vitreous Biomarkers Associated With Increasing Levels of Retinal Ischemia. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015 Oct;56(11):6523-30. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26447988
Marra KV, Wagley S, Omar A, Kinoshita T, Kovacs KD, Silva P, Kuperwaser MC, Arroyo JG. Case-matched comparison of vitrectomy, peripheral retinal endolaser, and endocyclophotocoagulation versus standard care in neovascular glaucoma. Retina. 2015 Jun;35(6):1072-83. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25621944
Marra KV, Yonekawa Y, Papakostas TD, Arroyo JG. Indications and techniques of endoscope assisted vitrectomy. J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2013 Jul;8(3):282-90. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24349675
Yonekawa Y, Papakostas TD, Marra KV, Arroyo JG. Endoscopic pars plana vitrectomy for the management of severe ocular trauma. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 2013 Fall;53(4):139-48. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24088940
Tornambe P, Arroyo JG, Garg S, Spirn M, Regillo C. When cataracts complicate surgery for vitreoretinal disease. Retina Times. 2013 Fall;31(50):48-50.
Yiu G, Marra KV, Wagley S, Krishnan S, Sandhu H, Kovacs K, Kuperwaser MC, Arroyo JG. Surgical outcomes after epiretinal membrane peeling combined with cataract surgery. Br J Ophthalmol. 2013 July; (Online First). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23832965
Arroyo, JG. The Role of Endoscopy in Vitreoretinal Surgery Today. Retina Today. 2013 Feb; 54-56.
Kovacs KD, Wagley S, Quirk MT, Ceron OM, Silva PS, Singh RJ, Gukasyan HJ, Arroyo JG. Pharmacokinetic study of vitreous and serum concentrations of triamcinolone acetonide after posterior sub-tenon's injection. American Journal of Ophthalmology.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22310078
Kinoshita T, Kovacs KD, Wagley S, Arroyo JG. Morphological Differences in Epiretinal Membranes on Ocular Coherence Tomography as a Predictive Factor for Surgical Outcome. Retina. 2011 Sep;31(8):1692-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21642900
Kovacs KD, Quirk MT, Kinoshita T, Gautam S, Ceron OM, Murtha TJ, Arroyo JG. A retrospective analysis of triple combination therapy with intravitreal bevacizumab, posterior sub-tenon's triamcinolone acetonide, and low-fluence verteporfin photodynamic therapy in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Retina. 2011 Mar;31(3):446-52. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21336068
Tran AT, Bula DV, Kovacs KD, Savageau J, Arroyo JG. Apoptosis in diabetic fibrovascular membranes after panretinal photocoagulation. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2010 Jun 30;41. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20806742
Yang L, Kim JH, Kovacs KD, Arroyo JG, Chen DF. Minocycline inhibition of photoreceptor degeneration. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009 Nov;127(11):1475-80. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19901213
Bertram KM, Bula DV, Pulido JS, Shippy SA, Gautam S, Lu MJ, Hatfield RM, Kim JH, Quirk MT, Arroyo JG. Amino-acid levels in subretinal and vitreous fluid in patients with retinal detachment. Eye (Lond). 2008 Apr;22(4):582-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17948040
Kim JH, Bertram KM, Quirk MT, Arroyo JG. Modified external needle drainage of subretinal fluid in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a prospective, consecutive, interventional, single-surgeon study. Retina. 2007 Nov-Dec;27(9):1231-7.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18046230

Book Chapters

Arroyo JG. What should I do when I see a patient with one or more Cotton-Wool Spots? In: Fekrat S, Moshfeghi D, Eliott D, editors. Curbside consultations in retina: 49 questions. Thorofare: SLACK Incorporated, 2010:41-45.