Richard F. Spaide, MD
Dr. Spaide specializes in diseases of the retina and vitreous. His particular interests include retinal surgery, Macular Degeneration, Macular Holes, Macular Pucker, Diabetic Retinopathy, and intraocular inflammation. He has published more than 300 articles and 50 book chapters and 9 books about the diagnosis and treatment of Retinal Diseases. He has given lectures around the world.
About
He has a remarkable number of “firsts” in retinal diseases including the development of autofluorescence imaging using a fundus camera and the first practical method to image deeper structures in the eye with optical coherence tomography. These imaging methods now are used around the world. He has described many new findings and diseases of the eye and helped develop many novel treatments. He has developed numerous surgical instruments that were named after him and holds patents for ophthalmic inventions.
Awards
He is the recipient of the Richard and Hilda Rosenthal Foundation Award in the Visual Sciences, the Senior Honor Award from the American Society of Retinal Surgeons, and the Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Opthalmology and the Prix Soubrane de la Recherche en Ophthalmologie, Award of Merit from the Retina Society, the Henkind Award, Coscas Award, Nataraja Pillai Award, W. Richard Green MD Award, George Theodossiadis Award, Founders Award, American Society of Retinal Surgeons, Life Achievement Honor Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the Simon Gratz Award, Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Spaide was chosen as the 2016 recipient of the Roger H. Johnson Macular Degeneration Award and the America’s Best Eye Doctor 2022 Award. This is given every 2 years to an individual making a substantial contribution to the understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of macular degeneration, and is one of the most prestigious awards in macular degeneration research.
Author
Dr. Spaide is the first author with the most articles in the top 100 list. According to the Web of Science search, the most cited article published from 2010 to 2020 was “Retinal Vascular Layers Imaged by Fluorescein Angiography,” published in Jama Ophthalmology, written by Dr. Spaide.
Medical Boards
Dr. Spaide is on medical boards of a number of institutions and has been mentioned in multiple Who’s Who and Best Doctors lists. He is a past executive editor of the American Journal of Ophthalmology and is currently associate editor of the journal Retina. He is on the editorial board of numerous journals.
Education
Undergraduate: Muhlenberg College
Medical School: Jefferson Medical College
Ophthalmology Residency: St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of New York
Vitreoretinal Surgical Fellowship: Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital
Academic Appointments
Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, NYU
Innovations
Developed autofluorescence imaging using a fundus camera
Created the first practical method to image deeper structures in the eye with optical coherence tomography
Invented a system of instruments for vitrectomy surgery to improve surgical procedures and provide solutions for issues with prior components
https://www.vrmny.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Spaide-CV-2018.pdf
About Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (Manhattan):
The Downtown ophthalmologists and retina specialists at Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York are internationally known leaders in diagnosing and treating retinal diseases. The VRMNY retina doctors in the Lower Manhattan are world-recognized retina experts in difficult-to-diagnose and rare conditions. They offer the latest treatments for retinal diseases, focusing on treating macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal tears and detachments. This exceptional and unique expertise, joined with their attentive, empathetic concern and careful approach means that even expert Manhattan ophthalmologists turn to Downtown Manhattan retina doctors first when they or their families need care.
VRMNY retina doctors have trained and taught at some of the world’s finest and most respected academic institutions. The physicians who comprise the best retina specialists in New York are experts in vitrectomy surgery and hold academic appointments at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York University, and the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Our ophthalmologists in Downtown specialize in treating all medical and surgical retinal conditions, emphasizing macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, the two leading causes of retinal vision loss.
With state-of-the-art New York ophthalmology center in Downtown, Manhattan, VRMNY is the largest retina vitreous center in the New York Metropolitan area.
Our Downtown, New York ophthalmologists and eye doctors publish more in the foremost peer-reviewed journals than any other private or academic group in the United States. The practice devotes its time and resources to research and developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Many current concepts in retinal disease and treatment recognized worldwide were invented at VRMNY.
The attention, empathetic concern, and careful approach of the eye care specialists and their support team of retina surgeons explain the success of VRMNY. The over 60 member staff provides a full range of educational, medical, and surgical services. With an emphasis on patient education, the staff delivers compassionate and empowering care.