About Me
As an ophthalmologist, my primary interest is in retinal diseases, especially diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other vascular diseases. I have 40 years of experience, including more than 25,000 retinal surgeries and care for thousands of patients. I am particularly interested in providing consultations and second opinions for patients with retinal problems. I help those who desire more information and guidance for managing their conditions.
I've always enjoyed biological sciences and wanted to serve people. Medicine was the perfect combination. I love the patient care aspect of my practice and I have a lifelong passion for teaching patients, students and residents.
It's important for patients to play an active role in their care. The best treatment for one may not be the best for another. “Cookbook medicine” is not always best for individual patients. I provide each person with patient-specific information to help them select the treatment that best fits their needs.
Educating my patients also enables them to monitor their condition, report changes and practice the best preventative care. In addition, my leadership in many major retinal disease clinical trials enables me to provide cutting-edge therapy to my patients.
Highlights
- Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2014, 2015, 2016
- director, Retina Division, 2007-2016
- director, Residency Program, 2007-2016
- Leader, Ohio State medical student ophthalmology curriculum, 2005-2016
- Best Doctors, 2007 - 2016
- Professor emeritus
- Havener Chair in Ophthalmology Research, 2007 - 2016
Procedures and Conditions I Treat
- Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Clinical Trials as Topic
- Retinal Vasculitis
- Retinal Degeneration
- Hypertensive Retinopathy
- Vitreous Detachment
- Susac Syndrome
- Choroid Hemorrhage
- Vitreous Hemorrhage
- Epiretinal Membrane
- Choroid Tumors
- Choroidal Neovascularization
- Central Serous Chorioretinopathy
- Retinal Artery Occlusion
- Angioid Streaks
- Retinal Dysplasia
- Retinal Hemorrhage
- Retinal Telangiectasis
- Retinitis
- Uveal Diseases
- Coloboma
- Choroideremia
- Gyrate Atrophy
- Choroid Diseases
- Uveitis, Intermediate
- Hemoglobin, Sickle
- Hemoglobin SC Disease
- Retinal Neovascularization
- Retinal Perforations
- Retinal Drusen
- Retinal Dystrophies
- Retinoschisis
- Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
- Geographic Atrophy
- Wet Macular Degeneration
- Macular Edema
- Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy
- Chorioretinitis
- Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute
- Choroiditis
- Pars Planitis
- Retinal Detachment
Education and Training
Education History
Medical School
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH
1/1/1963 - 6/1/1977
Residency
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
1/1/1978 - 1/1/1981
Fellowship
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
1/1/1981 - 1/1/1982
Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology
4/22/1982
Academic Information
My Department
Ophthalmology
My Division
Ophthalmology
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 09/30/2022, Dr. Letson has reported no relationships with companies or entities.
