Meet Dr. Irina Livshitz

Ophthalmology is one of the most rewarding specialties in the field of medicine. By restoring our patients’ eyesight, we are uniquely positioned to preserve livelihood, restore independence, and foster quality of life that would have otherwise been lost. In the field of retina in particular, the scope of practice is immense. I'm continuously learning from my patients and am excited to come to work every morning. Having myself been a patient once, I pride myself on being an empathic physician. I realize it can be scary to navigate through a maze of decisions and choices, especially when the stakes – your vision - are so high. I do my absolute best with each patient to make sure they can make informed decisions about their own eyes, and I don’t leave the room until the last question is answered. The decisions I make each day about my patients are the same ones I would make if I were treating my own family.

In teaching medical students, residents, and fellows through the years, I have realized how rewarding academia can be. I find that in an academic environment physicians often continue to innovate, both clinically and academically, regardless of how long they have practiced in the same field. At the Ohio State Havener Eye Institute, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of cutting-edge research. Currently, I'm a co-investigator in a number of different retina clinical trials, both phase II and III. I know that the medications and procedures studied in these trials are going to one day make a positive impact on the lives of our patients.

In my free time, I like to read, go ballroom dancing, hike, and travel to new places. Most of all, I enjoy playing with my nine month old and trying to see the world through his eyes.