A retina specialist is a medical doctor (MD) who has completed advanced training in ophthalmology and has further sub-specialized in the medical and surgical management of diseases affecting the retina and vitreous, located at the back of the eye. This area of expertise is often referred to as vitreoretinal medicine and surgery. Becoming a retina specialist requires extensive training. After completing a four-year undergraduate degree, a retina specialist completes four years of medical school, followed by a one-year internship in general medicine, a three-year residency in comprehensive ophthalmology, and then an additional two-year fellowship focused exclusively on retinal diseases and vitreoretinal surgery. This highly specialized training allows retina specialists to diagnose and treat complex conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, macular holes, and retinal vascular disorders, often using advanced techniques like laser therapy, intravitreal injections, and microsurgical procedures.