Retina Institute of Hawaii Welcomes Dr. George Papastergiou

HONOLULU, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- George Papastergiou, MD, PhD has joined the team at Retina Institute of Hawaii as an ophthalmologist and surgeon specializing in treatment of retinal, macular and vitreous diseases.

Dr. Papastergiou will be seeing patients at Retina's Honolulu office as well as the new offices on Hawaii's Big Island in Hilo, Waimea and Kona. He joins specialists Michael D. Bennett, MD, FACS; Clifton S. Otto, MD; Karl E. Waite, MD; and Kellen Kashiwa, OD, all experts in evaluating and treating retinal diseases. A highly specialized tissue located at the back of the eye, the retina translates light to nerve impulses that are then transmitted to the brain to produce sight. 20/20 vision can only be achieved if the retina is working properly.

Dr. Papastergiou completed his internship at the University of Pennsylvania, residency at the Medical College of Georgia, a vitreoretinal surgical fellowship at Piedmont Hospital of Atlanta, an Ophthalmology Research Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, Scheie Eye Institute, and earned his PhD from the Medical School of DUTH, Greece. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and an active member of many international retina societies.

A prolific researcher, Dr. Papastergiou has done extensive clinical research on retinal diseases, published multiple clinical articles and regularly reviews for Ophthalmology: Journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, and the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

"There are currently 100 different ways to treat retina-related problems, but every year there are about 10 new ways available. Our goal is to select the best treatment for each patient and identify and enroll patients in clinical studies, so they are first to gain access to new research treatments before they are widely available," says Dr. Papastergiou. "We want to change the way we treat retinal diseases in the future."

Services on Maui and Hawaii's Big Island are increasing thanks to the team expansion. Dr. Waite, Dr. Otto and Dr. Papastergiou will serve patients on the Big Island three days each week and will be available on Maui Fridays bi-weekly. Patients will be able to see the doctors and receive treatment on the outer islands but all surgeries will be done on Oahu only.

About Retina Institute of Hawaii
Retina Institute of Hawaii is an Oahu-based ophthalmic practice founded in 2001 by Dr. Michael D. Bennett. The institute specializes in the medical and surgical management of sight threatening diseases that affect the retina, vitreous and macula. For more information, visit www.retinahawaii.com or call (808) 955-0255.

SOURCE Retina Institute of Hawaii