Associated Retina Consultants

What Associated Retina Consultants does

Associated Retina Consultants (ARC) is a physician-owned specialty ophthalmology practice founded in 1974 and headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, focused on the diagnosis and treatment of retinal, vitreal, and macular diseases. The practice operates 13 clinics across Arizona covering the Phoenix metropolitan area as well as Northern Arizona (Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, Payson) and Casa Grande. Its clinical scope spans age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments and tears, inherited retinal dystrophies, ocular tumors, uveitis, and macular holes and puckers, supported by an Inherited Retinal Disease and Visual Function Clinic offering electrophysiology testing (ERG, mfERG, VEP, EOG, dark adaptometry) and genetic counseling.

ARC delivers vitreoretinal care through medical management, advanced laser procedures (scatter and focal photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, cryotherapy), and surgical interventions including vitrectomy, scleral buckle, pneumatic retinopexy, and PVR repair. Diagnostic infrastructure includes fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, B-scan and A-scan ultrasound, and visual fields testing. The firm runs a Clinical Research Program (since 2005) that enrolls patients in FDA-reviewed national trials for new retinal therapies, and an AUPO-accredited two-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship.

The business operates primarily on a professional services revenue model, billing insurance carriers and patients for medical and surgical retina care; ancillary streams include clinical trial funding and the resale of Eyedaptic EYE5 smart glasses and AREDS II vitamins. Go-to-market is sales-led via direct patient acquisition across the 13 clinics, with an active referring-provider network of primary care physicians and optometrists, community outreach (including AMD support groups and a VOSH/International mission in Mexico), and content marketing through the practice website and blog. ARC accepts over 70 health plans including Medicare, Medicaid (AHCCCS), and major commercial insurers, and offers CareCredit financing. Branding has been reinforced by Phoenix Magazine Top Doctors and Castle Connolly America's Top Ophthalmologists recognition.

Name

Associated Retina Consultants

Legal name

Associated Retina Consultants

Website

https://associatedretinaconsultants.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Associated Retina Consultants is a physician-owned, Phoenix-based ophthalmology practice founded in 1974 that diagnoses and treats retinal, vitreal, and macular diseases across 13 Arizona locations, serving patients with AMD, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited retinal conditions through medical, surgical, and clinical-research services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retina Care Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Diagnostic Imaging Centers (621512)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ophthalmology Clinics (Medical & Surgical Eye Care) (HLAKAKAC), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN)

Keywords

• Retinal disease treatment
• Vitreoretinal surgery
• Macular degeneration care
• Diabetic retinopathy treatment
• Ocular oncology services

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Medical Services Revenue: Provision of medical and surgical retina care services billed to patients and insurance providers. The practice accepts over 70 different health plans including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance.
2. Clinical Research: Participation in clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies testing new retinal treatments and therapies, generating research funding.
3. Vision Aids Sales: Sale of Eyedaptic smart glasses for patients with central vision loss conditions such as AMD, Stargardt disease, and diabetic retinopathy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Associated Retina Consultants provides medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment of retinal, vitreal, and macular diseases through 13 clinic locations across Arizona. Core offerings include advanced diagnostic testing (fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, ultrasound, electrophysiology), laser procedures, vitreoretinal surgery (vitrectomy, scleral buckle, pneumatic retinopexy), and specialized clinics for inherited retinal diseases, ocular oncology, and clinical trials. The practice also sells Eyedaptic smart glasses and AREDS II vitamins as ancillary products.

Product overview

Associated Retina Consultants is a medical retina practice offering a comprehensive suite of eye care services centered around retina and macular health. The practice operates as a unified service organization with 13 Arizona locations, providing diagnostic testing (fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, electrophysiology), surgical services (vitrectomy, scleral buckle, laser procedures), and specialized clinics (Inherited Retinal Disease Clinic, Clinical Research Program). The portfolio includes proprietary products like Eyedaptic EYE5 smart glasses for low vision, AREDS II vitamins, and an active clinical trial program. The practice also operates a two-year vitreoretinal surgery fellowship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Retinal Diagnostic Testing Comprehensive diagnostic testing including fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, ultrasound (B-scan and A-scan), and visual field tests to diagnose and monitor retinal conditions in patients.
• Retinal Surgery Vitreoretinal surgical procedures including vitrectomy, scleral buckle, pneumatic retinopexy, laser photocoagulation, and cryotherapy for retinal tears and detachments, including complex cases such as PVR treatment.
• Clinical Research Program Clinical trials program established in 2005 offering patients participation in development of new treatments for retinal diseases including AMD, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, uveitis, and surgical procedures.
• Inherited Retinal Disease and Visual Function Clinic Specialized clinic offering retinal electrophysiology testing, visual function tests, genetic testing and counseling for inherited retinal dystrophies including Stargardt disease, Best disease, retinitis pigmentosa, and Usher syndrome.
• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) Treatment Treatment services for both dry and wet AMD including AREDS II vitamin supplements, anti-VEGF injections, laser therapy, and photodynamic therapy.
• Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Comprehensive treatment for diabetic retinopathy including vitrectomy, focal and scatter laser treatment, and management of associated conditions such as macular edema.
• Ocular Oncology Services Diagnosis and treatment of ocular cancers including ocular melanoma, primary intraocular lymphoma, and retinoblastoma, including plaque brachytherapy.
• Eyedaptic EYE5 Smart Glasses Augmented reality smart glasses for patients with central vision loss caused by AMD, Stargardt disease, or diabetic retinopathy. Features proprietary software that enhances vision using visual assistive AR technology to optimize peripheral vision.
• AREDS II Eye Vitamins Macular Health AREDS II formula vitamins containing vitamin C, vitamin E, Lutein, Zeaxanthin, copper and zinc, based on the National Eye Institute sponsored age-related eye disease study.
• Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Program Two-year AUPO-accredited surgical fellowship providing training in diagnosis and management of medical and surgical disorders of the retina and vitreous.

Quantifiable outcome

• Retinal detachment repairs succeed in approximately 90% of cases

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• VOSH/InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016International eye care mission trip partnership. ARC technicians and Dr. Benjamin Bakall participated in a mission to Meoqui, Mexico where over 200 patients received retinal exams and 20 patients received free laser treatment.
• EyedapticcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership to offer Eyedaptic EYE5 smart glasses with EyeSwitch technology to patients with central vision loss. The glasses use augmented reality and proprietary software to optimize peripheral vision for patients with AMD, Stargardt disease, and diabetic retinopathy.
• International Low Vision Support GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint hosting of Macular Degeneration & Visually Impaired Support Group meetings in coordination with the International Low Vision Support Group, held monthly at multiple valley locations.
• Maricopa Integrated Health SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProviding surgical retinal services to underserved and medically needy patients within Arizona's only public health care system. Also providing fellowship training opportunities at this facility.
• CareCreditminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCareCredit patient payment program offered through Synchrony Bank, allowing patients to finance procedures with low monthly payments.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Texas Retina Associates: Large multi-location private vitreoretinal specialty practice serving the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex with medical and surgical retina care, clinical research, and fellowship training — structurally and operationally comparable to ARC.
• California Retina Consultants: Multi-site Southern California retina specialty practice offering medical/surgical retinal care, inherited retinal disease expertise, and clinical trials — a near-twin of ARC's service portfolio in a different geography.
• Mid Atlantic Retina (Retina Service of Wills Eye): Vitreoretinal specialty group affiliated with Wills Eye providing medical and surgical retina care plus an AUPO-accredited fellowship — directly comparable to ARC's clinical and academic footprint.
• Retina Group of Washington: Private multi-location retina-only practice in the Mid-Atlantic with medical, surgical, and clinical-research offerings — analogous private-practice model in a different region.
• Vitreoretinal Consultants: Multi-physician retina specialty practices operating across several U.S. metro areas delivering surgical retina care and clinical trials at a comparable scale and mix of services.
• Retina Specialty Institute: Multi-location vitreoretinal specialty practice with medical and surgical retinal services across multiple U.S. markets — comparable scale and multi-site operating model to ARC.

Broad incumbents

• Bascom Palmer Eye Institute: U.S. News top-ranked academic eye institute offering comprehensive retina, oncology, and inherited-retinal-disease services plus fellowship training — a broader, academic incumbent that competes for referrals and fellows.
• Wills Eye Hospital: Specialty ophthalmology hospital providing full-scope medical and surgical eye care including a high-volume vitreoretinal service — broader incumbent competing for retina referrals.
• Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Hopkins): Academic ophthalmology department with a major retina division, research portfolio, and fellowship program — competes for tertiary referrals and physician talent.

Emerging players

• EyeSouth Partners: Private-equity-backed ophthalmology and retina MSO platform consolidating independent practices across the Southeastern U.S. — a strategic competitor changing the recruitment and capital landscape for independent retina groups like ARC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/arc_phoenix

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Associated Retina Consultants