Ophthalmology
About us
Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital has a longstanding history of providing world-class eye care. Our extraordinary record of firsts goes back more than a century and includes the first diagnostic clinic for glaucoma, the first eye bank, the first laser for cataract extraction, the first laser to treat retinal disorders, and the first modern day cataract surgery.
This rich history aligns with our ongoing mission of being premier providers of eye care and a leading center for education and research—with our patients and community at the center of everything we do.
Our services
We offer comprehensive eye care all in one place, including services for:
- Cataract
- Cornea
- Glaucoma
- Laser vision correction surgery
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Ocular immunology & uveitis
- Oculoplastic & reconstructive surgery
- Retina
What sets us apart
Truly best-in-class care: Even preventive care at MEETH is far from your everyday, routine eye appointment. Our world-renowned experts are at the forefront of ophthalmic research and use the most advanced diagnostic techniques. We offer modern exam rooms and state-of-the-art surgical suites for the very best care. And we're continually transforming our esteemed institution to ensure we remain a leading center for ophthalmic care.
Long history of excellence: MEETH opened its doors to patients in 1869. Since then, we’ve built upon our proud tradition of providing patient-centered care and have grown to become the world-renowned facility we are today. Over the years, our extensive research has resulted in hundreds of new or improved techniques in diagnosis and treatment, new instrumentation, and vital breakthroughs in the fields of medicine and surgery.
Strong community partnership: This includes free glaucoma screenings each month, free vision screenings each year at the Third Avenue Street Fair, free exams on World Sight Day, and free resources including seminars to share the range of adaptive tools and technologies available for people with severe vision loss.
Commitment to educating tomorrow’s leaders: We are deeply committed to education and are training the next generation of world-class physicians to continue advancing our fields. We have outstanding fellowship programs in glaucoma, vitreoretinal disease, uveitis, oculoplastics, cornea and external disease.
Trusted care when it matters most: Patients have entrusted us with their eye care not only on a community level—especially through difficult periods including the COVID-19 pandemic—but also a global level, such as through our medical missions in places including South America.
Our centers
Glaucoma Center
Our state-of-the-art Glaucoma Center, the largest of its kind in the region, is dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment and management of glaucoma disease. We offer the most advanced technology, and every one of our physicians is committed to excellence in medical, laser and surgical treatment.
Services include:
- Advanced diagnostics
- Angle closure glaucoma (Early Detection and Treatment Program)
- Cataract surgery and premier ocular lens
- Laser and surgical procedures
- Low-tension glaucoma
- Medical treatment of glaucoma
- Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery
- Premier intraocular lenses
- Primary open angle and secondary glaucoma
- Research and clinical trials in glaucoma
- Second opinions on diagnosis and management of glaucoma
Conditions we treat include:
- Angle-closure glaucoma
- Cataract
- Exfoliative glaucoma
- Juvenile glaucoma
- Low-tension or normal-tension glaucoma
- Neovascular glaucoma
- Pigmentary glaucoma
- Primary open angle glaucoma
- Uveitic glaucoma
Our collaboration with international institutions places us at the forefront of glaucoma education, training and research worldwide.
Retina and Uveitis Center
The specialists in our Retina and Uveitis Center are uniquely trained to help diagnose, evaluate and treat a wide range of eye conditions. They use the most advanced medical, surgical and imaging techniques—and they will tailor your treatment plan around your unique situation and concerns.
A multidisciplinary team helps manage disorders including:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Dislocated intraocular lenses
- Epiretinal membranes
- Macular degeneration
- Macular holes
- Retinal detachments
- Uveitis
Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Center
Our state-of-the-art Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Center—among the largest and busiest clinical and surgical practice in the metropolitan region—diagnoses and treats disorders of the cornea and outer layers of the eye. Our team’s exceptional expertise comes from treating thousands of patients each year for conditions from the routine to the highly complex.
Our corneal surgeons also include laser vision correction specialists who treat nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism through the most advanced surgical procedures in our adjacent state-of-the-art Laser Vision Correction Center.
Conditions we treat include:
- Cataracts
- Conjunctivitis
- Cornea dystrophies
- Corneal swelling after cataract surgery
- Dry eye
- Fuchs dystrophy
- Infections and inflammations of the cornea
- Inherited cornea disorders
- Intraocular lens complications
- Iris trauma
- Keratoconus
- Ocular herpes disease
- Ocular surface disease
- Ocular surface tumors
- Pterygium
Treatments we offer include:
- Amniotic membrane transplantation
- Artificial corneal transplantation (keratoprosthesis)
- Cataract surgery
- Collagen crosslinking (CXL) for keratoconus
- Corneal transplant (PK and DALK)
- Endokeratoplasty (DMEK, DSAEK)
- Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery
- Laser refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, PTK)
- Pterygium excision with conjunctival autograft with tissue glue
- Secondary intraocular lens (IOL) exchange or reposition
Ophthalmic Laser Center
This state-of-the-art facility provides the most advanced LASIK procedure for glaucoma, cataract and retina diseases.
Research Center
Our MEETH Research center has been at the front end of visual science research, development and clinical trials.
Our scientists and eye experts have been involved in breakthrough technology including ophthalmic lasers for cataract surgery, treatment of retina disorders and phacoemulsification, which is the standard of care for cataract surgery—and it was developed here at MEETH. We are also involved in research for early detection and treatment of glaucoma, retina pathology, inflammatory diseases, and other diseases of the eye.
Our team
Richard Evan Braunstein, MD
Executive Director - MEETH, Executive Director - Ophthalmology Northwell Health, Senior Vice President - Ophthalmology Northwell Health, Chair -, Department of Ophthalmology, Lenox Hill Hospital, Chairman of Ophthalmology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Chairman of Ophthalmology, North Shore University Hospital
Allison Victoria Coombs, DO, MS
Director - Oculofacial Plastic Surgery
Jules Asher Winokur, MD
Director - Ophthalmology Residency Program, Vice Chair - Ophthalmology, LIJ and North Shore
