Retina Consultants of America Expands Midwest Network with Addition of The Retina Institute
Retina Consultants of America (RCA), a leading management services organization supporting retina specialists nationwide, today announced a significant expansion of its network through the addition of The Retina Institute (TRI), a premier retina practice based in St. Louis, Missouri. This strategic collaboration strengthens RCA’s presence in the Midwest, providing patients in Illinois and Missouri with enhanced access to advanced retinal care, cutting-edge treatments, and a physician-led, patient-centered approach.
The Retina Institute is widely recognized for its excellence in treating diseases and disorders affecting the retina, vitreous, and macula. Serving more than 40,000 patients annually, TRI has established itself as a cornerstone of retinal care in the region. The practice’s commitment to innovation, education, and research has earned it a prominent reputation nationally, particularly through its distinguished retina fellowship program, which has trained numerous highly skilled surgeons now practicing across the country.
“TRI is renowned for its dedication to advancing the retina specialty, highlighted by its premier retina fellowship, which has trained many of the highest quality surgeons in the nation,” said Robby Grabow, Chief Executive Officer of RCA. “Our organizations share a common vision: to advance access to the highest quality retinal care. By joining forces with TRI, we are able to provide the resources and support needed to foster continued innovation and growth, ultimately expanding access to the latest treatments in communities throughout Illinois and Missouri, while preserving TRI’s independence and commitment to exceptional patient care.”
Legacy of Innovation and Leadership
The Retina Institute has a longstanding tradition of leadership and innovation in retinal care. For decades, TRI has been at the forefront of adopting and developing new treatments for retinal diseases, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and other complex vitreoretinal disorders. Its physicians have played key roles in advancing the field through clinical research, publications, and participation in groundbreaking clinical trials.
TRI’s leadership excellence is exemplified by Dr. Kevin J. Blinder, who recently received the prestigious American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) Packo Award in 2025. The award recognizes his exceptional contributions and dedicated service to the Society, further solidifying TRI’s reputation as a hub for medical leadership and innovation in retinal care.
In addition to clinical achievements, TRI’s fellowship program has been a hallmark of the practice’s mission to educate and train the next generation of retina specialists. The program attracts top-tier ophthalmologists from across the nation and emphasizes hands-on experience, research, and exposure to the latest advancements in retinal treatments. Many alumni of TRI’s fellowship have gone on to become leaders in academic and private practices, further amplifying TRI’s influence on the specialty nationwide.
Expanding Access Across the Midwest
The integration of TRI into RCA’s network enhances RCA’s footprint in the Midwest. With this addition, RCA now includes 11 board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians across eight offices in Illinois and Missouri, including four locations in the St. Louis metropolitan area. This expansion allows RCA to deliver consistent, high-quality retinal care to a broader patient population while maintaining its physician-centered model that emphasizes autonomy and ownership for practices.
“At The Retina Institute, our mission has always been to advance education, research, and patient care — both for the benefit of our local community and the broader field of retina,” said Dr. Sabin Dang, Managing Partner at TRI. “Joining Retina Consultants of America strengthens each of these pillars. This collaboration enables us to expand patient access to innovative treatments, build a stronger platform for clinical research, and create additional opportunities to educate and train the next generation of retina specialists. Most importantly, it allows our physicians to remain focused on delivering the highest quality care to our patients while continuing to shape the future of retina care.”
By joining RCA, TRI gains access to the resources, operational support, and management expertise needed to accelerate growth and innovation. RCA’s model allows affiliated practices to maintain their clinical autonomy while benefiting from shared best practices, administrative support, and strategic guidance provided through RCA’s Medical Leadership Board and executive management team. This balance ensures that practices like TRI can grow and innovate without compromising the quality of patient care or the culture that makes them successful.
Physician-Centered Model Driving Quality Care
RCA’s physician-centered approach is a defining feature of its management services organization model. Rather than imposing a rigid corporate structure, RCA empowers its affiliated practices to maintain independence and make decisions that prioritize patient care. Physicians across the RCA network collectively conduct more than two million patient visits annually, serving communities in 23 states. By providing operational support, technology resources, and access to a network of expert colleagues, RCA enables its physicians to focus on what matters most: delivering high-quality, specialized care to patients while advancing clinical innovation and research.
The collaboration with TRI further strengthens RCA’s capabilities in the Midwest. Patients in Illinois and Missouri now have improved access to state-of-the-art retinal treatments and specialized care closer to home. The partnership also allows TRI to participate more actively in multi-center clinical trials, contributing to research that may lead to the development of novel therapies for retinal diseases. By combining RCA’s national network and administrative support with TRI’s clinical expertise and reputation for excellence, the partnership represents a significant step forward for retinal care in the region.
Commitment to Clinical Excellence and Research
Both RCA and TRI share a commitment to advancing the field of retina through research and clinical trials. TRI has long been involved in national and international studies, evaluating new therapies and treatment modalities for a wide range of retinal conditions. By joining RCA, TRI will have additional support to expand these research efforts, enabling faster adoption of innovative therapies and broader patient participation in cutting-edge clinical trials.
This collaboration also strengthens TRI’s educational initiatives. The practice’s fellowship program, recognized for its rigorous training and mentorship, will benefit from RCA’s national resources, providing fellows with enhanced opportunities to learn from a network of leading retina specialists. By investing in education, RCA and TRI are helping to ensure the next generation of retina specialists is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to continue advancing the field.
