Ask the Expert—Health & Wellness 2025
Nakul Singh, M.D.
Retinal Consultants Medical Group
Dr. Singh is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists. He joined Retinal Consultants in September 2024.
What made you want to become a retina specialist?
I was first drawn to becoming a retina specialist because I think the retina is the most fascinating part of the entire body—it’s an organ that can sense light and transmit it to our brains seemingly instantaneously! It was exciting to join a field where there is so much innovation to help people, all the while doing cool surgery and meeting interesting people in clinic.
What aspects of your job do you find most rewarding?
Being a retina specialist is the best job in the world. I love helping people with their vision, sometimes by giving new medication or doing surgery. I also enjoy people, so I’m lucky I get to meet so many people daily, ranging from little babies to centenarians!
Why is it important for people with diabetes to get regular vision screenings?
Diabetes is a disease that causes high blood sugar. If blood sugars are high for a long time, it can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the body, which can lead to lots of different health issues. The retina also has many small blood vessels—damage to these can cause swelling in the central part of the retina or the growth of abnormal blood vessels. If not treated, either can cause permanent vision loss. However, if the retinal disease is caught early, people with diabetes can go on to enjoy good vision for a long time. Therefore, it’s important for people with diabetes to get regular checks to protect their vision.
Retinal Consultants Medical Group has 13 locations across Northern California. Visit retinalmd.com for more info.
