If you’ve been told you need to see a retina specialist — or you’re experiencing changes in your vision and aren’t sure where to turn — finding the right doctor matters. Your retina is responsible for some of the most important moments in your life: recognizing the people you love, reading, driving, seeing the world clearly. When something threatens that, you deserve care from specialists who treat your vision with the urgency and attention it deserves.
That’s why we built Retina Vision Consultants.
We’re a retina-subspecialty practice in Beverly Hills, founded by three fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeons with decades of experience as leaders in academic medicine. We opened our doors because we believe patients deserve both world-class clinical expertise and a genuinely personal experience — and that those two things don’t have to be at odds.
Key Takeaway: Retina Vision Consultants combines the academic rigor and advanced technology of a top-tier medical center with the warmth and attentiveness of a private practice where every patient is known by name. If you’re looking for a retina specialist in Los Angeles, we’d welcome the chance to care for you.
Why We Built This Practice
Our founding doctors – Dr. Kirk Hou, Dr. Pradeep Prasad, and Dr. Steven Schwartz – spent decades in academic medicine training the next generation of retina surgeons, conducting research that changed the standard of care, and treating thousands of patients with complex retinal diseases.
Through that experience, they saw the same pattern again and again: patients with serious vision concerns navigating a healthcare system that didn’t always prioritize their time, their questions, or their comfort. Long waits for appointments. Rushed visits. Difficulty reaching someone when they were worried about a new symptom.
Retina Vision Consultants was built to solve that. We designed every part of the practice — from scheduling to diagnostics to follow-up — around a simple question: What would we want if this were our family member?
The answer was a practice that pairs the highest-caliber retinal medicine with an experience that respects patients as people, not chart numbers.
What Makes Retina Vision Consultants Different
Focused expertise. Our doctors are vitreoretinal subspecialists. That means retinal care isn’t one of many things we do — it’s the only thing we do. Every diagnosis, every treatment plan, every surgical decision benefits from that singular focus. Whether your concern is age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, a retinal detachment, or something you haven’t been able to get a clear answer about, you’ll be seen by a doctor whose entire career is dedicated to your specific area of need.
Collaborative care. Our three founding doctors regularly consult with each other on complex cases. If your condition benefits from a second opinion or a different perspective, you don’t need to go to another practice to get it — that collaboration happens within our team, often on the same day.
Institutional-grade safety in a personal setting. We apply the same rigorous protocols and quality standards used at top academic medical centers. The difference is the environment: a warm, modern office on Bedford Drive in Beverly Hills where you’re greeted by name and never feel rushed.
Advanced diagnostics, on-site. We’ve invested in the same imaging technology found at the leading academic retina centers — including OCT (optical coherence tomography), fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and ultrasonography. Most of our diagnostic workup happens during your first visit, so your doctor has a complete picture of your retinal health before discussing a plan.
Access when you need it. Retinal emergencies — a sudden increase in flashes or floaters, a shadow across your vision, sudden vision loss — require same-day evaluation. We prioritize urgent appointments because in retinal care, timing can determine outcomes.
Your Team of Retina Specialists
Our founding doctors each bring distinct strengths, but they share a common commitment: treating every patient the way they would want their own family treated.
Dr. Kirk Hou is a leading vitreoretinal surgeon specializing in diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachments, and complex vitreoretinal diseases. He earned his MD/PhD from Washington University School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at the Jules Stein Eye Institute. Dr. Hou is actively involved in clinical trials exploring novel therapies, giving his patients access to treatments not yet widely available.
Dr. Pradeep Prasad served as Professor of Ophthalmology and Fellowship Program Director at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute, as well as Chief of Ophthalmology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. He has trained over 100 residents and fellows and earned multiple teaching and clinical excellence awards. Dr. Prasad brings that educator’s gift to every patient interaction — he takes the time to explain your diagnosis in terms that make sense and walks you through every option.
Dr. Steven Schwartz is an internationally recognized translational scientist who helped pioneer anti-VEGF therapy for macular degeneration — a treatment now used in retina centers worldwide. He has published over 250 papers, delivered prestigious lectures across the globe, and advanced innovations in surgical instrumentation and gene therapy that have become part of the standard of care. Dr. Schwartz brings that depth of scientific leadership directly to your bedside.
Our clinical team — including experienced ophthalmic imaging specialists, patient coordinators, and practice managers — supports our doctors in ensuring that every visit runs smoothly and every patient feels cared for.
What to Expect as a Patient
We know that visiting a new specialist can feel uncertain, especially when your vision is at stake. Here’s what you can expect at Retina Vision Consultants:
A thorough first visit. Your initial appointment typically takes one to two hours. This includes advanced diagnostic imaging, a comprehensive examination, and a one-on-one conversation with your doctor. We don’t rush this process — your doctor will review your results with you the same day, explain your diagnosis in clear terms, and discuss your treatment options together.
Clear communication. You’ll never leave our office wondering what just happened. Our doctors explain things directly and honestly — what’s going on, why it matters, and what we recommend. If you’d like a family member or caregiver to join you, they’re always welcome.
Respect for your time. We designed our scheduling and workflow to minimize waiting. When you arrive, our team is ready for you.
A comfortable environment. Our Beverly Hills office is designed to feel warm and welcoming — not clinical or intimidating. We’re located at 360 N. Bedford Drive, Floor 3, with easy parking nearby and full wheelchair accessibility.
Continuity of care. If you’ve been referred by an ophthalmologist, optometrist, or primary care physician, we work closely with your referring doctor throughout your treatment. Our goal is to be a partner in your care, not a replacement for the providers you already trust.
Learn more about your first visit →
Getting Started
If you’ve been referred to a retina specialist, or if you’re experiencing symptoms that concern you — changes in your vision, new floaters, flashes of light, blurred or distorted central vision — we’re here for you.
To schedule an appointment, call us at (310) 269-8565 or request an appointment online. We accept most major insurance plans — please call to verify your coverage before your visit.
For urgent symptoms such as sudden vision loss, a curtain or shadow across your vision, or a sudden shower of new floaters, call us immediately. We offer same-day appointments for retinal emergencies.
We look forward to caring for you.
