Meet Dr. Dimitra Skondra, Retinal Surgeon | NYU Langone Health

Why It Matters

By moving retinal care from invasive surgery toward early, systemic interventions, Skondra’s work could lower costs, expand treatment options, and accelerate cross‑disciplinary research in ophthalmology.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Skondra pioneers non‑invasive topical drops for macular holes.
• Emphasizes early intervention to avoid invasive retinal surgeries.
• Investigates oral drugs to slow late‑stage macular degeneration.
• Links gut microbiome and diet to systemic retinal disease progression.
• Personalized imaging guides tailored treatment plans for diverse retinal conditions.

Summary

Dr. Dimitra Skondra, a professor of ophthalmology and vice‑chair of research at NYU Langone Health, discusses her comprehensive approach to retinal disease, ranging from macular degeneration to retinal detachments. She stresses the importance of early detection and personalized treatment, leveraging cutting‑edge imaging to tailor interventions for each patient.

Over the past decade, Skondra has pioneered a non‑invasive topical drop regimen for select macular‑hole patients, offering a surgical alternative that preserves central vision. She is also collaborating on oral therapeutics aimed at slowing the progression of late‑stage age‑related macular degeneration, challenging the current reliance on monthly intravitreal injections. Additionally, she highlights emerging evidence that diet and gut microbiome composition may drive retinal pathology, positioning macular degeneration as a systemic, not solely ocular, disease.

"Macular holes can be treated with retina drops for the right candidates," she notes, underscoring the shift toward less invasive care. She cites studies linking dietary patterns to disease severity and argues that systemic inflammation, mediated by the gut, may be a critical factor. These insights reflect a broader trend of integrating nutrition, microbiology, and ophthalmology.

If validated, Skondra’s strategies could reduce surgical volumes, lower treatment costs, and open new markets for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies. Early, non‑invasive interventions may improve patient outcomes and reshape clinical guidelines for retinal disorders.

Original Description

Meet Dr. Dimitra Skondra, professor of ophthalmology, retinal surgeon, physician scientist, and vice chair of research of ophthalmology at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Skondra treats the full spectrum of retinal diseases, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, vitreous hemorrhages, and retinal detachments.

In this video, Dr. Skondra shares her personalized approach to retina care, her work pioneering a non-invasive treatment for macular holes using topical retinal drops, and her research exploring the gut-retina connection and how diet and the gut microbiome may influence the progression of macular degeneration.

Chapters:

00:00 Meet Dr. Dimitra Skondra

00:24 A personalized approach to retinal diagnosis

00:57 Pioneering a non-invasive treatment for macular holes

01:25 Early intervention in macular degeneration

01:42 The gut-retina connection: rethinking eye disease

02:30 A partnership with every patient

Learn more about Dr. Skondra or request an appointment: https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1063652469/dimitra-skondra

Explore retina and vitreous care at NYU Langone Health: https://nyulangone.org/locations/eye-center

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