Our Office
In response to a growing demand for quality retina-specific ophthalmic care in the Worcester area, Vitreo-Retinal Associates ("VRA") of Worcester was co-founded by Dr. Melvyn Defrin in 1980.
In 2004, Dr. Frank McCabe joined VRA, bringing with him extensive medical and surgical experience in the treatment of retinal disorders. With a firmly established reputation for providing quality care, the practice continued to grow. Then, in 2007, Dr. Brad Baker joined VRA, contributing his expertise in the medical and surgical treatment of retinal disorders, including macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases, complex retinal detachment surgery and macular surgery.
In 2010, VRA expanded further, merging two office suites into one newly designed 5000 sq. ft. space. The design goal was to provide ample space to accommodate our patients and assure patient flow from check-in to check-out is as smooth and comfortable as possible. With the expansion, we purchased multiple state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment equipment and continue to assess the need for updating our equipment on a routine basis.
Over the past several years, at the request of multiple pharmaceutical groups, and overseen by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute of Health (NIH), we have become major participants in clinical trials in the United States. A clinical trial is a study in human volunteers designed to answer a specific health question about the safety or efficacy of a drug, a device, or other interventions. In essence, our physicians examine the risks and benefits of using these medications and are designed to find safe treatments that work in people and new ways to improve health. For your benefit and protection, we have entirely switched over to electronic medical records, providing both security measures designed to protect your Protected Health Information (PHI) from unauthorized individuals. We encourage our patients to become active participants in their care, and have implemented our “Patient Portal” to facilitate access for our patients from obtaining their PHI. Since 1980, VRA’s philosophy remains to provide outstanding, personal care for all our patients.
Research/Clinical Trials
We are participating in cutting edge research in order to provide the best care for our patients. Learn more about the clinical trials we are participating in below.
Meet our Doctors
Partner
Frank J. McCabe
Dr. McCabe is a renowned clinician, surgeon, and educator. Due to his grandmother going blind from diabetic retinopathy, he became unwavering in his efforts to save patients from undergoing a similar fate.
He received his BS from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine in 1990, after which he completed his medical degree at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1995. In 1999, he completed his residency at New England Eye Center in Boston and a fellowship in vitreo-retinal disease at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was honored with Fellow of the Year. He is board certified in ophthalmology and a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Retina Specialists and the American Medical Association.
He has been featured on a local radio program in which the general public had the opportunity to call in and ask questions about ophthalmic disease. He is currently a Leading Investigator for several national clinical trials on retinal disease. Dr. McCabe joined Vitreo-Retinal Associates, PC in 2005, specializing in eye surgery, laser surgery, and diseases of the retina, including diabetic eye disease, retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration, and retinitis of prematurity.
Education
BOWDOIN COLLEGE
BS, 1990
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
MD, 1995
TUFTS NEW ENGLAND EYE CENTER
Residency, 1999
WILLS EYE HOSPITAL
Retina Fellowship, 2001
Achievements & Affiliations
• Board Certified
• American Society of Retina Specialists, member
• American Academy of Ophthalmologists, member
• American Medical Association, member
Partner
Brad J. Baker
Dr. Baker is a renowned clinician, surgeon, and educator. He received his BS from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, after which he completed his medical degree at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in 1997.
In 2001, he completed his residency at New England Eye Center in Boston and a fellowship in vitreo-retinal disease at both New England Eye Center and Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston in 2003. He served as Clinical Director of Vitreoretinal Services at Boston University School of Medicine. He is board certified in ophthalmology and a member of several professional organizations, including the American Society of Retina Specialists and has presented at multiple national ophthalmic meetings.
He is currently a Leading Investigator for several national clinical trials on retinal disease. Dr. Baker joined Vitreo-Retinal Associates, PC since 2008, specializing in eye surgery, laser surgery, and diseases of the retina, including diabetic eye disease, retinal detachment, and age-related macular degeneration.
Education
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
BS, 1992
JEFFERSON MEDICAL COLLEGE
MD, 1997
TUFTS NEW ENGLAND EYE CENTER
Residency, 2001
Retina Fellowship, 2003
Activities & Affiliations
• Board Certified
• American Society of Retina Specialists, member
• American Academy of Ophthalmologists, member
PARTNER
Bryan K. Hong
Dr. Hong is a graduate of Yale College and Yale School of Medicine. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Southern California Eye Institute and the Doheny Eye Institute in Los Angeles, CA. He then went on to complete an intensive vitreo-retinal disease fellowship at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Hong specializes in eye surgery, laser surgery, and diseases of the retina, including macular degeneration, macular diseases, vitreo-macular interface abnormalities, retinal vascular diseases, diabetic retinopathy, trauma, retinal detachments, uveitis, and cataract complications. His research interests include retinal imaging, novel surgical techniques, and medical cost-efficacy analyses.
Education
YALE UNIVERSITY
MS, 2006
MD, 2010
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Residency, 2014
WILLS EYE HOSPITAL
Retina Fellowship, 2016
Activities & Affiliations
• Board Certified
• American Society of Retina Specialists, member
• American Academy of Ophthalmologists, member
• Heed Fellow
ASSOCIATE
Mari
Dr. Hong is a graduate of Yale College and Yale School of Medicine. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Southern California Eye Institute and the Doheny Eye Institute in Los Angeles, CA. He then went on to complete an intensive vitreo-retinal disease fellowship at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Hong specializes in eye surgery, laser surgery, and diseases of the retina, including macular degeneration, macular diseases, vitreo-macular interface abnormalities, retinal vascular diseases, diabetic retinopathy, trauma, retinal detachments, uveitis, and cataract complications. His research interests include retinal imaging, novel surgical techniques, and medical cost-efficacy analyses.