The Best Retina Specialists in Northern California
The highly specialized retina experts at Retinal Consultants Medical Group (RCMG) are among the best in Northern California. Our physicians use state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and treat retinal conditions like diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, macular holes, and age-related macular degeneration. Learn more about our incredible physicians and how to schedule an appointment at one of our Northern California locations.
Margaret Chang, MD, MS
Dr. Chang has received numerous prizes and grants for her research and authored many journal articles and book chapters. Her scientific work has been published in the most respected journals in the field, including Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, and Retina. A native of Chicago, Dr. Chang prepared for her future career in retinal surgery by starting piano lessons at the age of four. She even performed a Mozart piano concerto with the University of Houston orchestra at the age of eight!
Patient Review: “Dr. Chang's medical excellence is matched by her warm and friendly demeanor. Her pleasant approach to providing health care is shared by all who work in her office.”
David Cupp, MD
Dr. Cupp is an expert in the management of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, and many other medical and surgical diseases of the eye. In addition to his extensive clinical experience, Dr. Cupp has been involved in research trials of human stem cell transplantation and nerve growth factor supplementation. He has played an important role in developing new treatments for macular degeneration and Stargardt’s disease. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals.
Patient Review: “Dr. Cupp is so compassionate and cares so much about his patients. He takes time with patients and explains thoroughly. He makes you feel at ease.”
Eliot Dow, MD, PhD
Dr. Dow has served as a Clinical Instructor of Ophthalmology at Stanford University, assumed the role of Associate Director of Stanford's artificial intelligence-based retinal screening program, and acted as a Staff Ophthalmologist at the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs hospital. His clinical performance and research in sensory neuroscience have earned him multiple accolades, including the Ruth L. Kirschstein Research Award, the Kavli Neural Systems Award, and the Norton Ophthalmology Prize.
Patient Review: “I have a very bad retina detachment. I was so scared, [but] I was treated like I was family. My first impression was great! I saw Dr. Dow. He explained everything to me and listened to me. If you have an issue that needs eye surgery, this is the place to go.”
Robert A. Equi, MD
Dr. Equi has published papers and written chapters on treatments for infectious diseases of the retina, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration. Before joining the Retinal Consultants, he served on the faculty of the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins and the Doheny Retina Institute at USC’s Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Equi was awarded the inaugural Heed Foundation Clinician-Scientist award in 2002, one of only two ophthalmologists in the country to receive that award. Additionally, he’s been involved in several national clinical trials for macular degeneration.
Patient Review: “Dr Equi is very knowledgeable and takes his profession seriously. I’ve had several retinal/macular procedures done and felt calm and safe in his care.”
Maryam Ghiassi, MD, MHS
Dr. Ghiassi has co-authored multiple papers that have been published in peer-reviewed journals. She’s also presented her research findings at national meetings. A true world citizen, in addition to completing studies and training at Yale and Columbia, she spent time at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. She is dedicated to the individualized care of her patients and is comfortable providing care for Persian and Japanese patients in their native languages.
Patient Review: “It was very nice meeting Dr Maryam Ghiassi. She was very knowledgeable, and she did explain every detail. So glad to have her on my care team.”
Natalie Huang, MD
Dr. Huang published her research work in many scientific journals. She was recognized by the Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Retina Specialists, with the Distinguished Contributor Award in 2022. Dr. Huang completed her training as a retina fellow at the prestigious Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School.
Patient Review: “Dr. Tsai recommended Dr. Huang to us because we live in Merced. We saw her in Modesto because an infection flared up unexpectedly. We appreciated the appointment on the same day as our call and her professionalism and knowledge. Thank you, Dr. Huang.”
Carlos Medina, MD
Dr. Medina is an accomplished clinician, researcher, author, and lecturer specializing in complex vitreoretinal pathology and ocular oncology. He has received numerous awards, such as the prestigious Pearl Goldberg Fellowship Award and the ASCRS Foundation Resident Excellence Award. He has completed fellowships at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic and Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami. Additionally, he has authored or co-authored over eighty scientific papers, book chapters, and national meeting abstracts.
Patient Review: “I cannot give Dr. Medina a high enough recommendation. He is one of the most knowledgeable doctors in this field.”
Sarju Patel, MD, MPH, Msc
Dr. Patel has authored papers and textbook chapters and routinely presents at national meetings. He has also served as the Director of Uveitis at the Weill Cornell Medical College Department of Ophthalmology and as a peer-reviewer for several ophthalmology journals. Beyond his work in Sacramento, Dr. Patel travels regularly to Myanmar to volunteer his time and energy, fighting to prevent blindness by treating underserved populations and teaching local physicians.
Patient Review: “Dr. Patel waited for me, as I live an hour away, saw me, diagnosed me, and began treatment immediately. Couldn't ask for a better professional!”
Joel A. Pearlman, MD, PhD
Dr. Pearlman has co-authored several papers and book chapters on retinal blood vessel growth factors and eye trauma. He has served on faculty at the Wilmer Eye Insitute at Johns Hopkins and with the UC Davis Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Pearlman has been a principal investigator in many of the pivotal retina clinical trials of the last two decades that have delivered us modern retina care. He is the current Editor in Chief of the American Society of Retina Specialist’s journal, Retina Times.
Patient Review: “A Doctor who always gives special care and complete understanding to his patients! Thankful every visit he tells me what to expect and how my progress is going! Over 10 years I continue to be blessed with his kindness!”
Cameron Pole, MD
Dr. Pole has authored and co-authored many research publications and book chapters. Additionally, he has presented at several international meetings and conferences. Dr. Pole is a gifted surgeon who has trained at the prestigious Roski Eye Institute at the University of California Los Angeles. Dr. Pole enjoys his connections with patients and providing the most up-to-date care possible.
Patient Review: “Just saw Dr. Pole today for my shots. He's such a great doctor. Pleasant and actually no pain with his visits. All the staff are very pleasant to the patients. Thank you for a wonderful medical group.”
Meera S. Ramakrishnan, MD
Dr. Ramakrishnan received the Jason D Horowitz Surgical Fellow Teaching Award in recognition of her efforts in teaching and mentoring medical students and residents in the clinic, operating room, and academic projects while she completed her training at the Columbia University Harkness Eye Institute. Additionally, she has published numerous peer-reviewed scientific papers, reviews, and book chapters. She is a talented surgeon and enjoys taking personalized care of her patients in the clinic and operating room.
Patient Review: “This is such a wonderful place to come! Everyone is so pleasant and Dr. Meera makes me feel so comfortable, she is wonderful!”
J Brian Reed, MD
Dr. Reed served as the Chief of the Vitreoretinal and Uveitis Services in the United States Air Force for six years. Additionally, he has published numerous peer-reviewed articles about inflammatory disorders of the eye in prominent medical journals, among them Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and Retina. He has also authored several book chapters on ocular surgery.
Patient Review: “I had an urgent eye issue and Dr. Reed was wonderful. He took the time to explain everything to me, and his staff provided excellent care.”
David Telander, MD, PhD
Dr. Telander has authored over 30 papers and many book chapters and has given national and international talks on retinal disease. He has served as Chair of the Sacramento Vision Walk for the Foundation Fighting Blindness and as Program Director and President of the Sacramento ALTA Ophthalmologic Society. Additionally, Dr. Telander has received recognition for his outstanding care, including the Patient Choice Award, “America’s Top Ophthalmologist”, and “Compassionate Doctor” awards.
Patient Review: “Dr. Telander is everything you could hope for in a physician. His excellent clinical training, along with his approachable personality, gives you the confidence you need.”
Tony Tsai, MD
Dr. Tsai has served on the academic faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute and UCSF. He has published papers and presented work at national meetings. He has also served as a peer-reviewer for several ophthalmology journals, as well as a past President, Program Chair, and Secretary of the Alta Ophthalmology Society in Sacramento.
Patient Review: “Dr. Tsai was very calming and understanding. The surgery and recovery went great. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Tsai and his team to anyone with retinal needs.”
Robert T. Wendel, MD
In collaboration with his partner Neil Kelly, MD, Dr. Wendel pioneered the development of surgery for a previously untreatable condition, the macular hole. Macular hole surgery has now become a highly successful and widely used operation. Dr. Wendel has spoken at many national and international meetings regarding his pioneering work and has published several scientific papers and book chapters.
Patient Review: “Dr. Wendell and his staff are professional, pleasant, informative, gentle, and very thorough. His medical staff is very experienced and explained everything.”
Kin Yee, MD
Before joining RCMG, Dr. Yee completed his retina fellowship training at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami and practiced in the Washington DC area, where he was on faculty at the Georgetown University Department of Ophthalmology. Additionally, he has presented at local and national meetings. He is a dedicated clinician who enjoys taking care of his patients.
Patient Review: “Dr. Yee is wonderful. He is careful to explain my eye issues. I drove a much longer distance to have my appointment with him after first seeing him at a local office. He is well worth the drive.”
Retinal Research Involvement
RCMG is home to a nationally respected clinical research site that has been successfully conducting clinical trials for over 15 years. In that time, we've conducted landmark clinical trials resulting in the FDA approval of pivotal drugs to treat diseases like wet macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusions, and diabetic macular edema. We take pride in being one of the most advanced clinical research groups in the field of retina.
Trust RCMG for the Best Retina Specialist Care in Northern California
RCMG is proud to be one of the premier retinal subspecialty groups in the country, providing outstanding retinal care for the Northern Central Valley since 1975. We take pride in utilizing the most advanced technologies and techniques while still prioritizing patient-centered care. To see one of our top-rated retina specialists, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
