Dr. Robin D. Ross, MD, MPH, CPH
Ophthalmologist
4835 E Cactus Rd Suite 105 Scottsdale AZ, 85254Rating
5/5
About
Dr. Robin Ross is an ophthalmologist practicing in Scottsdale, AZ. Dr. Ross specializes in eye and vision care. As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Ross can practice medicine as well as surgery. Opthalmologists can perform surgeries because they have their medical degrees along with at least eight years of additional training. Dr. Ross can diagnose and treat diseases, perform eye operations and prescribe eye glasses and contacts. Ophthalmologists can also specialize even further in a specific area of eye care.
Education and Training
Weill Cornell Medical College MD 1990
Stanford University BA 1985
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School MPH 2016
University of Michigan Mott Internship 1991
Univ of Iowa Ophthalmology Residency 1995
William Beaumont Hospital ARC Vitreoretinal Fellowship 1997
Board Certification
OphthalmologyAmerican Board of OphthalmologyABO
Provider Details
Dr. Robin D. Ross, MD, MPH, CPH's Expert Contributions
Understanding Diabetic Eye Disease - By Robin Ross, MD, MPH, CPH
What is diabetic eye disease? Diabetic eye disease is a group of disease that are mainly associated with people who have diabetes, including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Some of these eye conditions are diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), glaucoma, and cataracts. A...
Meet Dr. Robin Ross
Robin Ross, MD, MPH, CPH is a Retina Specialist and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) with The Global Retina Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona.Dr. Ross is board certified in Ophthalmology and has specialized in vitreoretinal diseases and surgery for the last two decades. Examples of common vitreoretinal...
Navigated Laser: New 21st Century Technology
Our patients think of "laser" as high tech. There are many different kinds and types of laser.My first car at age 16 was a very used Volkswagon beetle that I bought secondhand for $1500 before college. I spent the summer sanding rust and using bondo for holes before I paid $99 for a special paint...
Will eye floaters go away on their own?
Usually, floaters are most noticeable on a light background like a computer screen or a sunny sky. Floaters usually represent an aging of the vitreous gel, but can herald a retinal tear, inflammation in the eye or in diabetes, bleeding in the eye. In general, floaters should be evaluated by an eye care professional to determine the source. Floaters can resolve if it is due to bleeding. Aging floaters do not usually disappear, but may become less noticeable as they shift position in the eye or the brain neuroadapts. READ MORE
How long does cataract surgery last?
It depends on the surgeon. But, normally about 10-15 minutes. READ MORE
Is seeing flashes bad?
Flashes are called photopsias. Multiple reasons: ophthalmic migraines versus from retinal traction or vitreous separation. Best to have a thorough retinal check. READ MORE
Is seeing eye floaters normal?
Vitreous syneresis is the natural liquefying process of the vitreous. A few dots, especially on a bright sunny day are normal. If you have many floaters, you should see an ophthalmologist for a more thorough examination READ MORE
What is the difference between cryotherapy and laser treatment for retinal tears?
Great question. Laser is delivered internally and passes through the cornea lens and into the area around the retinal tear. It creates a thermal scar and seals around the tear. Cryopexy is a freezing treatment and it is delivered externally from the outside in. Both form a seal around the tear. Cryopexy can sometimes be our only option if the view in is compromised by haze say from blood. The blood can limit the ability of the laser light beam to pass internally to the area around the tear. Cryopexy can leave the eye red and often needs additional numbing but both prevent progression of the tear to a retinal detachment. Both can be performed as an outpatient within an office. READ MORE
Can I reduce the amount of eye floaters I have?
All new floaters need evaluation and context. For example, if you are a diabetic, floaters could herald retinopathy. Floaters can be associated with a retinal tear so having a comprehensive eye examination is recommended. Patients who are nearsighted also need to be checked for a retinal thinning called lattice degeneration. An aging of the vitreous gel, the filling of the back of the eye, will occur in every human being if they live long enough. This is called a PVD or posterior vitreous detachment. PVD's cause a floater and can be associated with flashed of lights. A newer treatment called Laser Floater Treatment using the Ellex Reflex Q showed that patients with PVD do well with laser and have a 95% success rate. The laser is FDA approved. READ MORE
Is it okay to fall asleep with your contact lenses on?
No! It increases your risk of a corneal ulcer which is extremely painful and associated with vision loss and potentially cessation of contact lens wear READ MORE
Can macular degeneration cause blindness?
Macular Degeneration is "age related" and is the leading cause of blindness over age 50. Usually, there is a family history. Certain lifestyle choices increase the risk of vision loss and certain one's decrease the risk. Smoking increases the risk of vision loss 8x, eating green leafy vegetables decreases the risk, taking an AMD vitamin reduces the risk... READ MORE
What is used to keep your eyes open during LASIK eye surgery?
A small lid speculum (you have topical numbing) so you don’t feel it and you can’t blink against it READ MORE
My son's eyes are red and sensitive to light. What can be the cause?
Redness and sensitivity to light can be from dryness/allergies or more serious conditions like uveitis; this needs checking out with an ophthalmologist READ MORE
What will a retina consultation examine?
Comprehensive eye examination, dilation to look at the back of your eyes which is where the retina is located. It may also include non invasive testing like an OCT READ MORE
What is the cause of eye twitching?
Multiple causes...most common cause is inadequate sleep READ MORE
Can I wear contact lenses beyond the recommended use?
No, you risk getting a host of contact lens complications: corneal ulcer (potentially blinding), contact lens overwear, gpc where the underside of the lid has an immune reaction to proteins on the lens and large bumps develop on the underside making you contact lens intolerant READ MORE
Can contact lenses cause eye infections?
Yes. Contact lenses are foreign, so if they are not cared for, they can cause a corneal ulcer, a very serious sight threatening infection. If there's any redness or discomfort, they should be removed. READ MORE
Can children have laser eye surgery?
No, LASIK is not FDA approved under age 18. Certain refractive procedures must be older that 18 READ MORE
What is normal eye pressure?
Normal pressure is between 10-21 mm Hg but this often has to be corrected based on a correction factor for the thickness of the cornea. The corneal thickness is about 540 microns. A thinner cornea is actually a higher pressure than measured and a thicker cornea is a lower pressure than measured. Our eye pressures are naturally higher in the morning on awakening because of circadian rhythm but it varies over the course of a day READ MORE
Will I be given antibiotics during my retina surgery?
Sometimes, depending on the surgeon both antibiotics are given during the surgery and in the form of a drop after surgery to prevent infection READ MORE
Why do my eyes hurt?
Pain in the eyes is non specific. Pain with redness indicates some level of irritation. There are many causes of this Dry eyes, corneal ulcer, iritis or inflammation in the eye. If you have not had an eye examination, this is important since 85% of vision loss is preventable. A slit lamp examination can help determine the cause. Dry eyes can be helped with artificial tears placed every few hours and these are over the counter. If no profound resolution, then an appointment should be made immediately READ MORE
Vision changes in pregnancy. Is this normal?
Pregnancy is associated with many changes. Anyone who is diabetic and pregnant needs to be followed carefully during pregnancy. Pregnancy can also cause the cornea to have some edema so changing the refraction. This usually goes back to normal post pregnancy but if you are a contact lens wearer, this can change the fit and should be checked READ MORE
How successful is LASIK?
This depends on several factors: 1. Whether your glasses or contact lens prescription has been stable for the last year 2. Whether your cornea is of normal thickness and has been healthy with no dry eye and no prior infections 3. whether you have any other eye diseases like diabetes, cataract or glaucoma 4. whether you are in good general health free of autoimmune, diabetes or rheumatologic disease 5. Not pregnant or nursing Success is determined by your yardstick so is not so simple as a %. Some studies determine success as better than 20/40 or what the DMV says you need to drive, other people determine success as uncorrected vision of 20/20 so being the ideal candidate means also finding the right doctor who will take the time to explain based on your yardstick and your unique eye and health, what are the risks and benefits READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Director of Global Health Outreach University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix 2017 - 2018
- Director of Medical Education Ophthalmology University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix 2018 - 2018
Awards
- Fulbright Specialist Award 2017 World Learning
Treatments
- Cataracts
- Diabetes
- Macular Degeneration
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Retinal Detachment
- Retinal Tear
- Macular Hole
- Uveitis
- Type 2 Diabetes
Professional Memberships
- The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- American Society of Ret
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- Red Rover Ventures
Fellowships
- Oakland University (Research) (Vitreoretinal Surgical)
Articles and Publications
- Matthews GP, Ross RD, Iwamoto T, Gershbein A, Sparrow Jr, Chang S. Electrophysiological and Histological Evaluation of Retinal Tolerance to Short-term Intravitreal Perfluoro-ethylcyclohexane Liquid.
- Chang S, Sparrow JR, Iwamoto T, Gershbein A, Ross RD, Ortiz R. Experimental Studies of Tolerance To Intravitreal Perfluoro-n-octane Liquid. Retina 1991; 11(4):367- 374
- Sparrow JR, Matthews GP, Iwamoto T, Ross RD, Gershbein A, Chang S. Retinal Tolerance to Intravitreal Perfluoroethylcyclohexane Liquid In The Rabbit. Retina 1993; 13(1): 56- 62.
- Boone DE, Boldt HC, Ross RD, Kimura A, Folk JC. The Use Of Tissue Plasminogen Activator In The Treatment Of Subretinal Hemorrhage In The Pig Model. Retina 1996:16(6), 518-524.
What do you attribute your success to?
- Dr Ross always wanted to help people. In 1989 she had the opportunity to got to India with a Scudder Fellowship. That is where she first gained exposure to \'eye camps\' which inspired her to specialize in ophthalmology.
Areas of research
- Dr Ross recently opened up the Institute to help patients both locally and globally with their retina and ophthalmology issues. She specializes in vitreoretinal diseases. She has a true passion for helping patients overseas including Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nicaragua, Cambodia, and other countries in need. She is the go-to for those seeking a second opinion or advice on where to seek additional eye care. Dr Ross is heavily involved in clinical research projects with the University of Arizona.
Philanthropic Initiatives
- Dr Ross is the Director of Global Health Outreach at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix and is currently involved in the PREVAIL Project which brings first year medical students to Liberia. Dr Ross herself has been to West Africa 17 times in the past three years.
Areas of research
Virtual Reality Ophthalmic Simulation--development of a global health module for teaching
Ebola related Uveitis-PREVAIL clinical research in Liberia
Integration of ophthalmology into medical school curriculum
Dr. Robin D. Ross, MD, MPH, CPH's Practice location
Global Retina Institute
4835 E Cactus Rd Suite 105 -Scottsdale, AZ 85254Get Direction
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85254Get Direction
Dr. Robin D. Ross, MD, MPH, CPH's reviews
Write ReviewPatient Experience with Dr. Ross
- Roger
Dr. Ross was very attentive and patient. I am thrilled to have finally found a doctor I can trust!
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What Causes Iritis?What is iritis?The colored part of the eye is called the iris. When the iris gets inflamed, the condition is called iritis, which is also called anterior uveitis. The muscles present in the iris help in pupil contraction and relaxation. The anterior and posterior chambers of the eye are also...
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