Kimmel Retina Center is a highly specialized medical practice, treating diseases that affect the retina and the vitreous. These include the two major causes of blindness in the United States today, diabetes mellitus and macular degeneration.

Kimmel Retina Center takes great pride in offering state-of-the-art treatments for these diseases as well as other conditions that affect the retina and vitreous. Andrew S. Kimmel, M.D. spent ten years after graduating from college training to become a retina specialist, including a two year fellowship in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous, at the prestigious Universiy Of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, one of the top five retina programs in the world (see Dr. Kimmel's bio). Dr. Kimmel is a member of the American Society Of Retina Specialists.

Dr. Kimmel is passionate about the mission of Kimmel Retina Center.

What is an Ophthalmologist?

An Ophthalmologist is an eye care physician (i.e a doctor of medicine or osteopathy)
An eye care physician is a medical doctor, licensed to practice medicine, who graduated from medical school and specializes in eye and vision care. Eye care physicians are specially trained to provide the full spectrum of eye care, from prescribing glasses and contact lenses, to complex and delicate eye surgery. Many eye care physicians are also involved in scientific research into the causes and cures of eye diseases and vision problems.

What Specialized Training does an Ophthalmologist Receive?

In addition to four years of medical school and one year of internship every Ophthalmologist spends a minimum of three years of residency training (hospital-based training) in ophthalmology. During residency, Ophthalmologists receive special training in all aspects of eye care, including prevention, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of eye conditions and diseases.

Often, Ophthalmologists spend an additional one to two or more years after residency, training in a subspecialty of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Kimmel is one of only two Ophthalmologists currently practicing full-time in the Lehigh Valley, who spent two additional years after completing his Ophthalmology residency,  training in diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous.

What Does it Mean be Board Certified?

Many, but not all, Ophthalmologists are board certified. A board certified Ophthalmologist has passed a rigorous two-part examination given by the American Board of Ophthalmology and designed to assess his/her knowledge, experience, and skills.

Dr. Kimmel became board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology in 1990.

What are Ophthalmology Subspecialties?

The eye is an inch long, and there are approximately eight subspecialties. Dr. Kimmel is a subspecialist in diseases of the retina and vitreous. He did a two year fellowship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, one of the top five Ophthalmology programs in the world.

During his two years of training at the University of Iowa, Dr. Kimmel learned both the medical and surgical treatment of retinal and vitreoretinal diseases. His current practice concentrates on the treatment of the two major causes of blindness in the United States today, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Do All Retina Specialists Receive Equivalent Training?

Some, but not all, Retina Specialists are members of the The American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS), a society consisting of 1,385 Retina Specialists who have been fellowship trained for at least one year. There are other "retina specialists" practicing in America, who are not members of ASRS, possibly because they are not fellowship trained. Dr. Kimmel is a member of the American Society Of Retina Specialists.

There are also 69 members-in-training (fellows) who have chosen to become members of ASRS. There are other retina fellows being trained in the U.S., but they have not chosen as yet to become members of ASRS.

It is generally accepted that, with both doctors retiring and patients living longer and developing age-related retinal diseases, the demand for Retina Specialists may exceed the supply by as much as four to one.

What is an Optometrist?

Doctors of Optometry are eye care professionals who attend Optometry school for four years after graduating from college. They are not licensed to practice medicine, in that they have not graduated from medical school with an M.D. or D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) degree. Optometrists are trained to examine the eye and diagnose various eye conditions.

What is an Optician?

An Optician fits eyeglasses and, in some states, contact lenses. Along with the Optometrist and Ophthalmologist, the Optician determines which eyeglasses or contact lenses are best suited to the patient's lifestyle and visual needs. Opticians grind lenses and make glasses according to the Optometrist's or Ophthalmologist's prescription.