Photography graduate finds her passion in medical imaging and prepares for a career in ophthalmic photography

Rochester, New York – When Paige Wright first switched her major to photographic sciences, she imagined a future filled with traditional lab microscopes, intricate imaging processes, and maybe a career in photo microscopy. What she didn’t expect was to fall in love with a field that merges photography and medicine – and that it would involve scrubs, high-tech eye scans, and collaboration with world-class doctors.

Now in her final year at Rochester Institute of Technology, the Wilmington, Delaware native has not only discovered a passion for ophthalmic photography but is also on the brink of starting an internship with one of the most respected names in the field.

“I’m still using microscopes to make images, just in a different way than I thought,” Wright said. “I’ve always had a fascination with eyes. For such a small part of your body, they are so important and play such a huge role in your everyday life.”

Wright’s journey into the niche world of ophthalmic imaging began unexpectedly during her third year at RIT. After enrolling in two specialized courses on ophthalmic photography, her curiosity about the field transformed into a clear career path. Unlike traditional photography or even conventional microscopy, ophthalmic imaging involves capturing detailed images of the eye to help diagnose and monitor conditions ranging from diabetic retinopathy to macular degeneration.

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This highly specialized branch of medical imaging requires not only technical photographic skills but also a deep understanding of anatomy, optics, and medical procedures. For Wright, this combination was the perfect fit. She credits the ophthalmic imaging classes at RIT for giving her the tools to merge her interests in science, art, and healthcare.

Her dedication and talent didn’t go unnoticed.

After a successful internship at the Flaum Eye Institute last year, Wright had strong prospects back home in Delaware. But when a new opportunity arose in New York City, she knew she couldn’t pass it up. Thanks to a network of supportive alumni and professors, Wright was offered an internship at Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (VRMNY), where she will work directly under Dr. Richard F. Spaide—a towering figure in the world of retina research.

“Dr. Spaide is a world-renowned retina specialist. Even though I had an internship last year at Flaum Eye Institute and felt confident I would get a job at home, I knew this experience would make me a more valuable candidate and could help me to get a job almost anywhere,” said Wright.

Spaide is among the most cited retina experts globally, with more than 300 peer-reviewed publications to his name. For a student like Wright, learning alongside someone of that caliber is not just a resume booster—it’s a chance to dive into the very frontier of eye care innovation.

The internship wasn’t a simple stroke of luck. It came through a chain of professional connections and encouragement from mentors. Sarah Armstrong, a 2005 RIT graduate and experienced biomedical photographer, informed RIT professor Christye Sisson about the opportunity during a conference. Sisson, in turn, shared it with colleague Nanette Salvaggio, who promptly encouraged Wright to apply.

Salvaggio, who directs the undergraduate photographic sciences program, remembers Wright clearly from her very first day on campus. “While we facilitated her introduction to Dr. Spaide, it was her composure and the extensive knowledge she acquired during her time with us that ultimately secured this remarkable opportunity,” Salvaggio said.

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She praised Wright for her “exemplary leadership, characterized by her proficiency, professionalism, and unwavering dedication,” adding that she has been a positive influence on her peers and created a collaborative learning environment throughout her studies.

With graduation just around the corner, Wright is ready for her next challenge. She’ll spend the summer working alongside VRMNY’s team of physicians and photographers, gaining hands-on experience in clinical imaging, diagnostics, and patient care.

Once the internship is complete, she plans to return to Delaware to seek full-time employment—ideally in a hospital or a large private ophthalmology practice. But her ambitions don’t stop there.

In the long run, Wright is considering a return to academia. She’s interested in leading an ophthalmic imaging department, participating in medical research, and continuing to advance the field that captured her imagination.

Her story is a reminder that career paths can evolve in unexpected and meaningful ways. What started as a fascination with microscopy has grown into a commitment to visual science and helping people see—literally.

And though she once expected to spend her days behind a traditional microscope, Wright now knows that the lens of opportunity can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places.