Gareth Lema, MD, PhD

08/23/2025

Fulfilling my civic duty. Pro-tip: give double red cells. You help twice as many people and the fluid volume is replaced, so you may feel like nothing ever happened when you are done.

07/29/2025

One of my happy places - The Retina Center. I found this waiting for me when I was called in over the weekend. (I had missed the graduation for, you guessed it, emergency surgery.) I'm immensely proud of our most recent graduates and grateful that they chose to recognize me with the teaching award this year. Thank you,

07/27/2025

Proud of our team, led by Dr. Wilkins. Our paper on fungal endophthalmitis was a featured article on the AAO website.

Patients with ocular involvement from systemic fungemia more often complain of visual issues than those with no related vitreoretinal disease, potentially indicating the need for ophthalmic examinatio

07/27/2025

Always happy to see our work featured on the AAO website. This study was the work of Carl Wilkins, MD and many of our residents. I was privileged to work with them on this project.

07/04/2025

07/03/2025

Remember eye protection if you play with fireworks this year. Fireworks can destroy eyes!

06/22/2025

Had a fantastic time at the UB Ophthalmology graduation and retirement party for Dr. James Reynolds. I credit this program for laying the foundation of my confidence and resilience as a surgeon. My mentors there taught me to just get the job done...whatever it takes to help the patient. Dr. Reynolds also hired me for my first academic position. Even though I'm a New Yorker now, Buffalo is always home and I have immense gratitude for UB Ophthalmology. Thank you, and Happy Retirement to Dr. Reynolds.

06/14/2025

Six years ago, when we moved to NYC, I would not have considered myself a theater guy. Six months ago, I read The Picture of Dorian Gray just so that I could see Sarah Snook portray 26 roles in this one actor, multimedia masterpiece on Broadway. Penny and I were left unsure if we will ever see a show quite like this ever again. It was like watching a play, while the movie was being produced, shot, edited, and screened all at once. The meticulous planning it took to pull this off - I can't even imagine. And after performing for 2 hours straight, Sarah Snook had the grace, humility, and energy to spend a few moments with her fans. The English major in me really dorked out over this one, and reinforced that we are never too old to experience new things.

06/13/2025

Honored to that the NYEE-MS Eye Stroke Protocol was featured on Straight From the Cutter's Mouth. -MS

Drs. Ramsudha Narala, Kat Talcott, and Sarwar Zahid join to preview the June 2025 edition of Retinal Physician, focusing on GLP-1RAs and diabetic retinopathy, DRCR.net trial updates, CRAO protocol implementation, and early career advice for attendings.  Relevant Financial Disclosures: None

06/06/2025

A no nonsense discussion of our Eye Stroke Protocol, currently available at Retinal Physician. Written with future ophthalmologist, Keva Li.

Remote diagnosis of CRAO can reduce the time to treatment for eligible patients and therefore increase the chance of visual recovery. A novel clinical diagnostic protocol using a remote consult model aims to streamline identification of a CRAO at the point of care.

06/03/2025

Very happy for an old friend from med school. I don't think we've talked since graduation...but I remember many conversations with Dr. Vainio about his plans for this life. I don't know if you'll see this, Shawn, but I'm happy you've been able to live your dreams. Docs like you are few and far between.

05/30/2025

The MTA Arts and Design Program commissions permanent and temporary artwork throughout the subway system. I found these mosaics at the Chambers Street ACE stop. For obvious reasons they resonated with me. What a beautiful way to celebrate the different cultures in NYC.