MEET DR. LAI....

Dr. Lai earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and with Summa Cum Laude honors.  He received his M.D. from the University of Michigan where he graduated Alpha Omega Alpha and in the top 5 of his class.  He graduated from the highly competitive 7-year Interflex (Integrated Premedical-Medical Program) at the University of Michigan.  During medical school, he conducted research for a year at the National Institutes of Health as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Research Fellow, and was awarded the Dean’s Award for Research Excellence. 

Dr. Lai completed his ophthalmology residency at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions where he also served as Chief Resident.  He completed his vitreoretinal fellowship at the Duke University Eye Center where he was selected the Teaching Fellow of the Year.  In addition, Dr. Lai was awarded the Heed Fellowship, and designated as the top Heed Fellow in the country. During his fellowship, he also received the Knapp Ophthalmic Foundation Award as well as the Ronald G. Michels Foundation Fellowship.  Dr. Lai then returned to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he served as the Assistant Chief of Service and Director of the Ocular Trauma Service.  Prior to joining Retina Consultants of Hawaii, Dr. Lai was in practice in Long Island, NY where he held clinical appointments at both New York University and the Long Island Jewish/North Shore University Hospital systems.  There he was actively involved in teaching the medical students and ophthalmology residents and was awarded Teaching Attending of the Year.

Dr. Lai is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retinal Specialists, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.  He specializes in the latest techniques for the medical and surgical management of macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachments, macular holes, retinal vascular disorders, and macular puckers.  He is also co-investigator in several national clinical trials for new treatments for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Lai has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and has lectured extensively on diseases of the retina. 

 Dr. Lai is happily married and has a baby girl.  He enjoys swimming in his spare time.