Marlyn Goldberg, MD
Board-Certified Retina Specialist in Chicago

Dr. Goldberg began her medical career through Northwestern University’s highly selective Honors Program in Medical Education, where she completed her undergraduate studies in Medical Science before earning her Doctor of Medicine from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. This accelerated and academically rigorous pathway reflects her early dedication to clinical excellence and a strong foundation in both scientific research and patient care.

Following medical school, Dr. Goldberg completed her internship in Internal Medicine at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois, where she developed a broad understanding of systemic health and disease. She then pursued her ophthalmology residency at Washington University in St. Louis, a nationally recognized program known for its strength in clinical training and surgical education. During her residency, she gained extensive experience diagnosing and managing a wide spectrum of ocular conditions.

To further specialize in retinal disease, Dr. Goldberg completed two advanced vitreoretinal fellowships. Her first fellowship was at the internationally renowned Joslin Diabetes Center’s Beetham Eye Institute in Boston, where she also served as a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School. There, she developed focused expertise in diabetic eye disease and retinal vascular conditions. She then completed a second vitreoretinal fellowship at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C., refining her surgical skills and expanding her experience in complex retinal pathology and advanced vitreoretinal procedures.

Dr. Goldberg has contributed meaningfully to the advancement of ophthalmology through peer-reviewed publications, research presentations, and clinical investigations. Her scholarly work has focused on retinal imaging, diabetic retinopathy, vascular disease mechanisms, and cellular biology of the eye.

• Goldberg, M.F., Dhaliwal, R.S., Olk, R.J.: “Indocyanine Green Angiography Patterns of Zones of Relative Decreased Blood Flow in Patients with Exudative Age Related Macular Degeneration.” Ophthalmic Surgery Lasers, 29(5): 385, 1998.
• Goldberg, M.F., Ferguson, T., Pepose, J.S.: “Detection of Cellular Adhesion Molecules in Inflamed Human Corneas.” Ophthalmology, 101: 161, 1994.
• Rafferty, N.S., Scholtz, D.S., Goldberg, M., Lewyckyj, M.: “Immunocytochemical Evidence for an Actin-Myosin System in Lens Epithelial Cells.” Experimental Eye Research, 51: 591, 1990.

• Goldberg, M.F., Dhaliwal, R.S., Grand, M.G., Olk, R.J.: “Indocyanine Green Angiography Patterns of Choroidal Watershed Zones in Patients With Choroidal Neovascular Membranes.” Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Supplement), 1995.
• Goldberg, M.F., Sharuk, G.S., Clermont, A.C., Kopple, A., Aiello, L.M., Bursell, S.E.: “The Role of Antihistamine in the Modulation of Retinal Blood Flow in Nondiabetic and Diabetic Patients.” Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Supplement), 1995.
• Bursell, S.E., Clermont, A.C., Lin, Y.W., Goldberg, M.F., Rho, D.S., Kopple, A., Aiello, L.M., King, G.L.: “Retinal Blood Flow is Reduced in Type II Diabetic Patients With no Diabetic Retinopathy.” Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Supplement), 1995.
• Goldberg, M.F., Ferguson, T., Pepose, J.S.: “Detection of Cellular Adhesion Molecules in Inflamed Human Corneas.” Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Supplement): 796, 1992.
• Fowell, S.M., Kraff, K.O., Goldberg, M.F., Jampol, L.M.: “Alterations in Iris Vasculature After Laser Induced Central Vein Occlusion in the Monkey Eye.” Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Supplement): 69, 1990.
• Goldberg, M.F.: “Immunofluorescence Localization of Myosin in Situ Human Lens Epithelium.” National Student Research Forum, 118, 1988.

Dr. Goldberg has conducted original research under the mentorship of leading ophthalmologists and researchers:

• Antihistamine Retinal Blood Flow Studies in Type I Diabetic Patients – Conducted under Sven Erik Bursell, Ph.D., Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA (1994). This research investigated the role of antihistamine in modulating retinal blood flow in diabetic patients.
• Cross Sectional Retinal Blood Flow Studies in Type II Diabetic Patients – Conducted under Sven Erik Bursell, Ph.D., Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA (1994). This study examined retinal blood flow patterns in Type II diabetic patients.
• Indocyanine Green Angiography Patterns in Patients with Choroidal Neovascular Membranes – Conducted under Ranjit Dhaliwal, M.D., Retina Consultants Ltd., St. Louis, MO (1992). Recipient of the 1994 NEW-ARVO Travel Fellowship Grant, recognizing excellence in retinal research.
• Detection of Cellular Adhesion Molecules in Inflamed Human Corneas – Conducted under Jay S. Pepose, M.D., Ph.D., Washington University Department of Ophthalmology (1992). Recipient of the Southern Medical Association Grant, supporting innovative research in ocular inflammation.
• Alterations in Iris Permeability and Autoregulation After Laser Induced Central Retinal Vein Occlusion in the Monkey Eye – Conducted under Lee M. Jampol, M.D., Northwestern University Department of Ophthalmology (1989). This research examined vascular changes following laser-induced retinal vein occlusion.
• Intravitreal Ganciclovir in the Treatment of CMV Retinitis – Conducted under Dale E. Henderly, M.D., Northwestern University Department of Ophthalmology (1989). Research findings were presented at Northwestern University Residents’ Day.
• Immunofluorescence Localization of Myosin in Anterior Lens Capsules – Conducted under Nancy S. Rafferty, Ph.D., Northwestern University Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (1987). Recipient of the 1987 Baxter Research Award, recognizing outstanding research contributions.

Dr. Goldberg specializes in medical and surgical diseases of the retina and vitreous. She diagnoses and treats a wide range of retinal conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular disease, macular holes, retinal tears, and retinal detachments.

Dr. Goldberg is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (recertified 2015). She earned her MD from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed her ophthalmology residency at Washington University. She completed two vitreoretinal fellowships—one at Joslin Diabetes Center (Harvard Medical School) and one at Washington Hospital Center—providing specialized training in retinal disease and surgery.

Dr. Goldberg has over 25 years of clinical and surgical experience in retinal specialty care. She has performed thousands of retinal procedures and evaluations, and maintains active involvement in professional organizations dedicated to advancing retinal care.

Dr. Goldberg performs a full range of vitreoretinal surgical procedures, including vitrectomy, membrane peeling, retinal detachment repair, and other advanced interventions for complex retinal conditions. She also provides medical management of retinal diseases, including laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy and other vascular conditions.

Yes. Dr. Goldberg has extensive experience managing diabetic retinopathy, including screening, medical management, and laser treatment. Her specialized training at Joslin Diabetes Center provides particular expertise in diabetic eye disease.

To schedule an appointment, contact Kovach Eye Institute at (630) 833-9621 or through our contact form. Our team will help you schedule an appointment at a time that works for your schedule.

Dr. Goldberg believes in patient-centered care that combines clinical expertise with clear communication and compassion. She takes time to understand each patient’s concerns and goals, explains findings in understandable language, and develops personalized treatment plans that align with each patient’s preferences and lifestyle.