Welcome to the Virata Retina Center
Welcome
The Virata Retina Center specializes in diseases and surgery of the retina, vitreous and macula. Serving patients in the Lafayette area since 2001, we focus on each patient’s needs, including medical and surgical treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, intraocular injections and laser treatments.
Dr. V, Ari, Becky, Candace, Christina, Gena, Leesa & Melanie
New Patients
Due to a full schedule, we are temporarily not accepting new patients. Non-emergent consultations that can wait at least 2-3 months will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Fall 2024 Closing Schedule
Our office will be closed in observance of the following days/holidays:
November 27-29: Thanksgiving
December 24th (12PM)-January 1: Christmas through New Years
Staff will be available to answer phones and triage problems during this time. If you have a problem requiring immediate assistance and cannot get through, we suggest contacting your local optometrist or ophthalmologist.
If you would like to contact another clinic directly, this is a list of retina specialists in the area.
COVID/Mask Policy - Revised August 2022
Based on the August 2022 CDC Guidelines, masks are optional at our facility. This is based on the relatively high number of people who are vaccinated and/or have been infected with COVID. However, we will still observe the following safety protocols:
Masks covering your mouth and nose are optional. We can provide surgical masks if needed
Doctors, staff and patients may still choose to wear masks
We will disinfect surfaces and equipment before each patient
Air purifiers will be running in patient rooms
We will space chairs and limit the number of people in our waiting room
We will provide hand sanitizer for patient use
If you have an upcoming appointment, but feel sick or feel that you may have had a recent COVID exposure, please call and we will assess the situation. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
Steven R Virata, MD, FACS
“Our goal is to provide state-of-the-art medical and surgical care for patients with diseases of the retina and vitreous with a personal touch. We strive to educate our patients, so that together we can make the best medical decision for each patient.”
WHAT IS A RETINA SPECIALIST?
An ophthalmologist is a doctor who has graduated from medical school and continues an internship in a variety of different specialties. Upon completion of the internship, an ophthalmologist continues with 3 years in an ophthalmology residency where they learn to treat all eye diseases and disorders, both medically and surgically. A retina specialist is someone who chooses to pursue an additional 1-2 years of fellowship training in vitreoretinal diseases.
EDUCATION:
Fellowship - Vitreoretinal Diseases & Surgery: Barnes Retina Institute/Washington University, St. Louis, MO • 1999 to 2001
Residency - Ophthalmology: UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina • 1996 to 1999
Internship - Internal Medicine: UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill, North Carolina • 1995 to 1996
Doctor of Medicine with Honors: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina • 1991 to 1995
Bachelor of Science with Distinction: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI • Molecular Biology • 1987 to 1991
SPECIAL TRAINING AND INTERESTS:
• Diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular occlusions:
(Vitrectomy surgery and laser surgery)
• Macular degeneration, ocular histoplasmosis, and high myopia:
(Intravitreal injections)
• Retinal detachments and tears:
(Vitrectomy surgery and pneumatic retinopexy)
• Macular holes and epiretinal membranes:
(Vitrectomy surgery)
• Endophthalmitis/ocular infection:
(Vitrectomy surgery and intravitreal injections)
CERTIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS:
• Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons
• Fellow, American Society of Retinal Specialists
Contact Us:
Call us at 765-5RETINA (765-573-8462) or email us using the provided form
For billing questions, please call 765-227-3185
Office Hours:
8:00AM to 5:00PM Monday-Thursday
8:00AM to 12:00PM Friday
IUH Surgery Hours:
10:30AM to 5:00PM Friday
Email contact is for general information purposes only. Do not include any privileged or confidential information. It should not be used for the purposes of scheduling emergent appointments or to address questions/concerns about medical care. Medical advice will not be provided via online contact. Please contact our office directly by phone for any of these issues.