GREENBELT, Md.—The Retina Group of Washington (RGW), a leading provider of retinal and macular care in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, has announced plans to merge with Retina Associates (RA), a five-office practice operating in suburban Maryland locations. The merger of the two firms will be effective Jan. 1, according to the announcement earlier this month. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. RGW currently has 14 offices in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., and totals 26 full-time physicians who provide expertise in a variety of retina-related sub-specialties, according to the announcement.

Retina Associates' five offices (three of which coincide with RGW locations) are in Rockville, Silver Spring, Bowie, Annapolis and Columbia. The common locations are in Rockville, Silver Spring and Bowie.

"For over 25 years, Retina Associates has been honored to provide excellent retinal care for our patients and communities," RA's Dr. Cuong Vu said in the announcement. "The merger of RA and RGW is based on our shared core mission to provide the highest quality retinal care. We are excited to embark on this new phase and have high aspirations for what we can accomplish together for our patients, referring professionals, employees and communities.”

RGW's Dr. Eric Weichel said the merging of the two medical firms will provide RGW an opportunity to expand into two new areas, which is “both exciting and consistent with our ongoing mission to expand the practice's reach across the region."

According to the announcement, RGW was founded in 1982 and has evolved to become “the largest practice in the U.S. solely dedicated to retinal care.” The practice specializes in treating retinal, vitreous and macular diseases throughout Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.