WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
I was born and raised in Los Angeles and was always interested in science and biology. I attended the University of California Berkeley for undergraduate and studied molecular cell biology. While there, I involved myself in research for cancer and a gene therapy approach to cancer immunology. While I enjoyed the science and discovery of research, I had always been drawn to more direct patient care and went on to study at the University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine.
MY PATH TO RETINA
Shortly after starting medical school, my interest in ophthalmology was piqued by specialty lunch lectures and increased by elective specialty rotations. When looking into research opportunities, I was quickly drawn to the retina for its complex biology and the rapid expansion of retinal diagnostic technologies and treatments. My research on oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium cells and budding OCT angiography technology further cemented my retina interests. Upon starting my residency at Wills Eye Hospital, I should have approached all the specialties with an open mind, but I was fairly set on retina from the start.
SUPPORT ALONG THE WAY
I have been incredibly lucky to have been mentored by many people. The patient guidance and support of my medical school research leaders and counselors made my journey into ophthalmology not only possible but also brighter and more promising than I had thought possible. In residency, the Wills Eye family lived up to its name, and the faculty and my resident class all shared a genuine interest and generosity toward my future. As a fellow at USC and now an attending at Retina Vitreous Associates, I am grateful for the incredible training opportunities and advice from a diverse and elite group of doctors whom I work with and learn from.
Dr. Matsunaga’s advice: After the last decade of structured training, the “real world” career paths, opportunities, and challenges can be highly varied, and you won’t read about them in a textbook. Keep up with your mentors and co-trainees and build your retina community to approach them together.
AN EXPERIENCE TO REMEMBER
In my first year out of training, I cared for a gentleman who presented with severe bilateral deteriorating vision with no clear anatomic findings or diagnosis after seeing several doctors, including retina.
After the retinal examination, I took a detailed history, during which he mentioned that he had been hospitalized earlier that year for a rare bacterial infection. We investigated further and ran some more tests, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of ethambutol optic neuropathy. He stopped the drug in conjunction with infectious disease, and over the next few months his vision fully recovered (much to everyone’s relief).
His case was a reminder that, in the community, a retina specialist is often the first clinician patients turn to with mystery cases, and you must keep your skills—both retina and comprehensive—sharp!
