Dr. Robert Stephens, MD, FACS

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Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Robert Stephens, who serves patients in Maryland.

Dr. Stephens is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist whose areas of expertise include macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retina-vascular disease, retinal tears, and ocular tumors. He is in practice with Retina Consultants with offices Bethesda, Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and Annandale, Virginia.

“At Retina Consultants, we specialize in the medical and surgical treatment and management of all types of vitreo-retinal diseases. All of our physicians are board-certified and fellowship-trained medical and surgical retina specialists and/or uveitis experts. Also, our physicians hold teaching appointments at several academic hospitals in the area, publish scholarly articles in well-known medical journals, present papers at scientific meetings, and give lectures to community groups—all activities that help keep our physicians at the forefront of the latest scientific research and advances in technology, which translates to top-notch treatment and services for our patients” as stated on their website. 

In 1971, Dr. Stephens graduated with his medical degree from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He did a rotating internship at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, Texas. After this, he served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force and completed his residency in ophthalmology and his fellowship in vitreo-retinal disease at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Belonging to nearly 20 professional societies, he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (FAAO). In addition, he is board-certified in ophthalmology by American Board of Ophthalmology, an independent, nonprofit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists (eye physicians and surgeons) in the United States.

As an examining ophthalmologist, Dr. Stephens took part in the National Institutes of Health Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Vitrectomy Studies. He has authored 22 scientific articles and text-book chapters, as well as has given nearly 100 formal scientific presentations and lectures. 

Alongside his clinical role, he serves as a Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. It serves as a teaching hospital for Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are experts in the diseases, functions, and anatomy of the eye. 

In practice for over four decades, Dr. Stephens has been the recipient of a number of awards and honors, including Patients’ Choice Award (2013, 2014, 2015), Compassionate Doctor Recognition (2013, 2014, 2015), Top 10 Doctor – City (2014), and On-Time Doctor Award (2014, 2015).

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