How do you find the 'best' retinal specialist?

[JodieJ]

I very much appreciate the responses I received to my previous post about my macular pucker.  However, this feedback raises the question of how to find the "best of the best" retinal specialist, especially when referrals from one's physician(s) are unsatisfactory.  (There should be adult education classes on this topic.)  How reliable are the lists of "best" doctors by Castle Connolly and Consumer Guide?  Is a doctor's membership in professional groups (e.g., the Vitreous Society) important?  If I saw a specialist at a teaching hospital, would residents participate in my treatment?  (I live in large midwestern city and have good health insurance, but I'm an "outsider" to the medical community here.)  All feedback will be welcome!

[eyela]

I have just been diagonised with retina problems and am trying to local a good retina specialist in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.  If anyone knows of one please let me know.

[whoo]

My husband has blood in the eye.  I began to clear after three weeks but has increased.  Who is the best specialist to consult?  We are in Florida but will go wherever necessary.  Thank you.

[jerrywayne]

It depends on where you are at in Florida.  If you are near Miami, then Harry Flynn, MD and William Smiddy, MD at Bascom Palmer are renowned world-wide.

If you are in Northern FL (near Tallahasee), Logan Brooks, MD is very reputable.

On the western side of Florida, there are several options (Smiddy does travel to Naples on occasion).

[jerrywayne]

Dr. Lambet is actually with Texas Retina (not Baylor, where he is a volunteer faculty).  He is very good and his number is [phone].

In Eastern TN, I would recommend Nick Anderson, MD.  His number is [phone].

One of the very best eye institutes in the world is located at Johns Hopkins (the Wilmer Eye Institute).  Julia Haller, MD is fantastic.

[Eagle eyes]

Here are some places to go for suggestion:

To DorothyDee for Houston --Mike Lambert, MD Retina specialist, at Baylor.

To Mike in TN: Call Randy Evans in Lebanon, TN. He will advise you of someone good in your area.

For Baltimore area, call Jody May 717-637-1919 in Hanover, PA. He will recommend someone for you.

[MikeTN]

I got struck in they eye with a bungee cord and tore and detached my retina.  Much like others in this forum my 1st doctor had no patience and wasn't interested in answering my quesitons.  The 2nd doc was better so I had a vitrectomy and they fixed the tear and used a bubble for the detachment.  About 1 month later my retina fully detached due to scar tissue.  Had 2nd surgery with yet another doctor (2nd one was at a conference) and they used the buckle and bubble and so far it has stayed attached.  

Problem is now I have retinal swelling that won't seem to go down and some traction where the retina has shrunk some from the surgery.

Wondering who would be the best doctor for me to see if I live in East Tennesse.  I'm willing to go anywhere but without knowing any of the doctors outside of this area I'm hesitant to change doctors.  My doctor is now wanting to do an injection in the eye to try to take the swelling down as drops have not helped.  I also have a very bad cataract from the 2 surgeries so if the swelling ever goes down that's the next step.