The Retina Partners brings together decades of expertise and innovation in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases. Our practice is built on a shared mission: to deliver exceptional, compassionate, and state-of-the-art retinal care to patients throughout the greater Los Angeles area.
Our story begins in 1980, when Dr. Thomas Hanscom began serving patients as a faculty member at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at UCLA and as Chief of Ophthalmology at the West Los Angeles Veterans Administration Hospital. Recognizing a need for advanced retinal care on the Westside, he founded The Retina Specialists in Santa Monica, establishing a legacy of clinical excellence and dedication to the community.
In 2001, Dr. Robert Engstrom, then faculty at the Jules Stein Eye Institute and Co-Director of the UCLA Ocular Oncology Service, founded Valley Retina Associates Medical Group in Encino. His vision was to create a state-of-the-art retina center serving the San Fernando Valley—a goal that quickly became reality through the trust and support of a growing patient community.
Over the years, Valley Retina Associates expanded its reach. Dr. Hajir Dadgostar joined in 2009 after completing his residency at the Jules Stein Eye Institute and fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute. Together with Dr. Engstrom, he helped open the Valencia office in 2011 to provide convenient care for patients in the Santa Clarita Valley.
In 2013, Dr. Amir Guerami joined the practice following his tenure as Director of the Retina Division and Clinical Director of Ophthalmology at the University of Maryland. His arrival marked another milestone, as the Encino office expanded to better accommodate our growing patient base.
Recognizing the shared values and complementary strengths of their teams, the physicians of Valley Retina Associates and The Retina Specialists united in 2014 to form The Retina Partners—a collaborative practice dedicated to advancing retinal care across Los Angeles.
Our team continued to grow with the addition of Dr. Christian Sanfilippo in 2018, following his training in ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgery at the Jules Stein Eye Institute. In 2021, we opened our Culver City office, our fifth location, expanding access for patients across the Westside. In 2022, Dr. Jessica Cao joined the group after completing her residency and fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute, followed by Dr. Eric Jung in 2025, who trained at USC and the Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute.
We also honor the legacy of Dr. Robert Engstrom, who retired in 2023 after decades of exemplary service to his patients and colleagues. His leadership and dedication continue to inspire our team as he enjoys retirement pursuing his love of travel and photography.
Today, The Retina Partners proudly serves patients from five convenient locations across the Los Angeles region. Throughout our growth, we have remained steadfast in our core values—accessibility, communication, excellence in care, and a commitment to preserving vision and quality of life.
At The Retina Partners, we are more than physicians—we are your partners in the preservation of sight and health.
