Welcome Retina Specialist Dr. Edward Wood
Austin Retina Associates it excited to welcome board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship trained vitreoretinal surgeon Edward H. Wood, M.D. to our team of retina specialists. Prior to joining Austin Retina, Dr. Wood served as an Assistant Professor of Vitreoretinal Surgery at Stanford University's School of Medicine.
Dr. Wood specializes in the management of all diseases of the retina and vitreous in both adults and children. He will see patients at the following Austin Retina locations:
- Central Austin
- South Austin
- Round Rock
- Lakeway
- Marble Falls (Green)
- Killeen
Dr. Wood received his bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience from Vanderbilt University graduating Magna Cum Laude with Honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He then returned to his home state of Kentucky to complete medical school at the University of Kentucky where he served as Class President, was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, and received the ‘Francis Massie Surgery Award’ for the medical student with the most promising surgical skill. He completed his internship in Austin at the now Dell Medical School and was selected for ophthalmology residency at Stanford University where he served as Chief Resident and was awarded the Heed Fellowship, the most prestigious national award for ophthalmology residents in the country. He underwent fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery at the world-renown Associated Retinal Consultants of William Beaumont Hospital. In 2018, he received the ‘Ronald G. Michels Fellowship Award’, the highest honor for a vitreoretinal surgery fellow in the United States. Following fellowship, Dr. Wood returned to Stanford University's School of Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Vitreoretinal Surgery from 2019 to 2021. He returned to Austin to join Austin Retina Associates in 2022.
Dr. Wood enjoys spending time with his fiancé Teresa and their two dogs Charlie and Cooper. He has a passion for golf, skiing, staying active outdoors, and travel.
To help our staff and patients really get to know Dr. Wood, we asked him to answer some serious, and not so serious, introductory questions.
What brought you to Austin Retina Associates?
I first became aware of Austin Retina Associates while completing my medical internship at the now Dell Medical School. During this time, I had the opportunity to witness the incredible care provided by the physicians and the world-class staff. I knew it was a special place I wanted to come back to one day. While completing my medical training I was able to build a lab at Stanford University where we developed new treatments for retinal disease alongside treating patients and performing surgery. Although the work was exciting, I was continuously drawn back to the exceptional care provided by Austin Retina, and ultimately was thrilled to return as an Austin Retina physician.
Why did you choose to specialize in retina care?
I was exposed to retina earlier than most as my father is a retina specialist. At a young age I witnessed the significant improvement in quality-of-life patients experienced, and retina became my primary academic focus. I was also drawn to the remarkable innovation and technological advances within our field. I’m passionate about leveraging my experience to deliver the highest possible quality of retina care to improve our patients’ vision and lives.
What is your practice style?
I strive to treat every patient with the same level of respect and compassion that I would deliver to a family member. I create evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each patient’s individual needs with the goal of achieving a lifetime of high-quality vision.
What are you working on right now, personally, and professionally?
Professionally, my primary focus is in delivering excellent patient care. I’m also working on several research projects through my ongoing affiliation at Stanford including developing drugs to prevent the progression of early age-related macular degeneration. I’m also actively engaged with clinical research at Austin Retina to bring cutting edge treatments to our patients.
Personally, I’m focused on building my life in Austin with my fiancé and our two dogs. We’re excited to continue to engage with the community and strengthen our roots. In my down time I’m staying physically active and working on sharpening my golf game.
What’s your hidden talent?
I know a few chords on the guitar, and am pretty good at making up songs about people, things we did that day, the dogs, etc. This skill was what got my fiancé locked in!
What do you love most about your dogs, Charlie and Cooper?
They are both very quirky. Cooper is outgoing but needs reassurance, while Charlie is reserved but quietly confident, and together they make a funny pair. Also, they provide unconditional love which we do our best to reciprocate.
Where have you traveled that should be on everyone’s bucket list?
Nepal. I had the opportunity to perform eye surgery in several Nepalese eye hospitals through the Himalayan cataract project. The Nepalese people are so welcoming, and the views of the Himalayas are amazing.
If you could play a round of golf with anyone, who would it be and why?
Gary Player. Gary Player’s mental game was unmatched to this day, and he has given so much back to the game and community.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Edward Wood or any of our retina surgeons, please call 800-252-8259 or request an appointment online.
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