Ryan Tarantola, MD, is a dedicated and skilled retina expert who specializes in retinal holes, diabetic macular edema and macular degeneration. Dr. Tarantola proudly serves patients in multiple office locations throughout Northwest Florida and the Eastern Shore of Alabama.
Saving sight and treating patients with vitreoretinal disease has been a long-time passion for Dr. Tarantola. He joined Retina Specialty Institute in 2012 after holding a position as Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at St. Louis University where he was involved in patient care, resident education and clinical research.
Dr. Tarantola has multiple active research interests, including studies involving macular holes, diabetic macular edema, and the screening and prevention of age-related macular degeneration. Dr. Tarantola has presented at conferences across the nation and is published in numerous peer-reviewed ophthalmic journals. Additionally, he has been involved in a number of clinical trials and serves as a reviewer for multiple ophthalmic journals.
He aspires to treat each patient in the same manner that he would a member of his own family, and he is committed to providing the highest quality care possible.
Raising the Bar for Quality Patient Care
“Practicing at Retina Specialty Institute allows me to provide the highest possible level of care. The equipment that we have in each office and operating room is the finest and most up-to-date available. The staff members at all locations are highly trained and facilitate excellent care. The practice as a whole is a well-run organization with excellent administrative support. This allows physicians like me to focus completely on my patient without unnecessary distractions so patient care is second to none.”
A Passion for Preventing Blindness
“I originally thought I would be most interested in orthopedic surgery after participating in sports in high school and college and having some minor injuries. However, as I progressed through medical training, I discovered that ophthalmology was my true passion. My grandfather was legally blind from atrophic age-related macular degeneration, and watching him struggle as he lost his independence as a result of vision loss was very impactful. Having the opportunity to prevent or reverse this type of life-altering vision loss is the most rewarding aspect of being a vitreoretinal surgeon.”
Confidence in Complexity
“Many retina specialists are extremely knowledgeable and very competent physicians. I think the areas where I excel are effectively treating some of the most complex patients, connecting with patients personally and really providing them an accurate understanding of their disease process allowing for realistic expectations.”
Satisfaction in Patients’ Success
“I derive a great deal of satisfaction from the excellent patient outcomes that we are able to achieve. The ultimate outcome from our care is the most important measuring stick we can use to allow for self-evaluation and to measure the impact we are having on our patient’s quality of life. When I routinely look back to evaluate my medical and surgical outcomes, I believe they are quite favorable, and we are providing excellent care that is extremely valuable to patients.”
Education
- Undergraduate Degree – Washington University – St. Louis, MO
- Medical Degree – St. Louis University, School of Medicine – St. Louis, MO
- Residency in Ophthalmology – Vanderbilt University Medical Center – Nashville, TN
- Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery – University of Iowa – Iowa City, IA
“Having the opportunity to prevent or reverse life-altering vision loss is the most rewarding aspect of being a vitreoretinal surgeon.”
DR. TARANTOLA
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The doctors at Retina Specialty Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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