William N. Rosenthal, MD, FACS

Ophthalmologists vs. Retina Specialists

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye and vision care. Traditionally, they complete four years of premedical college, four years of medical school, a yearlong internship, and three years in an ophthalmology residency program. An ophthalmologist will complete special training in all facets of eye care, including prevention, diagnosis and medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions and diseases.

Ophthalmologists also have the choice of subspecializing in a specific area of eye care, which will require an additional year or two of training. Some subspecialty fields include: cornea and external disease, neuro-ophthalmology, and vitreoretinal disease. Dr. Rosenthal is a retina specialist. He completed a specialized six-year combined baccalaureate and M.D. degree program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine. Following an internship and then a residency in ophthalmology, Dr. Rosenthal completed a two-year medical/surgical fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, in order to treat diseases of the retina, vitreous and macula.