The Best Retina Specialists in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester
New York’s Leading Retina-Only Ophthalmologists
When it comes to protecting your vision against retinal, macular, and vitreal conditions, choosing the best retina specialist is paramount. Your vision is precious and should be entrusted only to those who have a proven track record of providing exceptional care.
The retina specialists and surgeons of Vitreoretinal Consultants of New York (VRCNY) are renowned by both peers and patients for their extensive expertise and accomplishments. Our distinguished doctors are recognized internationally as thought leaders in the field and are well known for offering the best retina specialist care available in New York. At each of our retina center locations in New York City, Queens, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester, and Rockland County, NY, they utilize the most advanced technologies and methods to offer the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Retina Specialist Awards and Recognitions
The retina specialists of VRCNY have received numerous awards and accolades from many prestigious organizations and publications, including:
- Castle Connolly Top Doctor (including the top 10% list)
- Super Doctor
- Best Doctors Guide
- New York Magazine Top Doctor
- New York Times
- Patient’s Choice Award
- Newsday Top Doctor
- Westchester Magazine Top Doctor
- Honor Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Honor Awards from the American Society of Retinal Specialists
- Ophthalmology Attending of the Year Award, Mount Sinai Hospital
- Teacher of the Year, Northwell Health/Hofstra University School of Medicine Ophthalmology
- Faculty of the Year, University of Maryland School of Medicine
- William H. Tasman Outstanding Fellow Award
- Louis J. Girard Research Award
- Paul Kayser International Scholar Award
- Ronald G. Michels Fellowship Foundation Award
- Heed and Knapp Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowships
Administrative, Organizational, and Academic Positions
Several of VRCNY’s retina specialists have held prominent positions in major ophthalmology organizations and/or academic institutions, contributing to the advancement of retinal care and shaping future generations of retina specialists.
- Clinical Vice Chairman of the Department Of Ophthalmology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
- Co-Director of the Vitreo-Retinal Service at Hofstra/Northwell
- Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Hofstra/Northwell
- Former President of the Long Island Ophthalmologic Society
- Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Hofstra Medical School
- Former Co-Director of the Visual Physiology Department of the Retina Service at Wills Eye Hospital
- Former Clinical Assistant Professor at the Thomas Jefferson University School of Medicine
- Assistant Professor at Hofstra School of Medicine
- Immediate past President of the American Society of Retinal Specialists
- President of the Foundation of the American Society of Retinal Specialists
- American Society of Retinal Specialists Board of Directors Member for over 14 years
- Former President of the Long Island Ophthalmology Society
- Professor of Ophthalmology at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
- Chief of Ophthalmology at North Shore University Hospital at Syosset–Davis Vision Eye Surgery Center.
- Instructor of Ophthalmology for Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins Medical School
- Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at both New York Eye & Ear Infirmary and Northwell Health - Hofstra School of Medicine
- Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at Hofstra Medical School
- Former President of the Long Island Ophthalmologic Society
- Former Clinical Instructor at Washington University
- Former leader of Retina Service at the John Cochran VA Hospital
- Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Medicine
- Board Manager Member of the Northwell Health Accountable Care Organization
- Board member of the Garden City & Syosset Surgery Centers
- Former President of the Long Island Ophthalmology Society
- Education Committee Member of the American Society of Retina Specialists
- Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
- Fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialists (FASRS)
- Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Weill Cornell Medical College
- Teaching Professor in the Vitreoretinal Fellowship Training Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Co-founder and Board of Trustees Member for the Vit-Buckle Society
- Former President of the Angeles University Development Foundation
- Associate Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center
- Clinical Attending at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital
Retinal Research Involvement
Retinal research and clinical trials represent a major focus at VRCNY. All of our retina surgeons are involved in research in some capacity, with many participating as principal investigators and co-investigators in multiple clinical trials. Our doctors have been involved in the development of life-changing treatments for a wide range of conditions, including dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), geographic atrophy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and more.
Many of our doctors have also received prestigious grants for their research efforts. For example, Dr. David Poon has been awarded research grants from both the Johns Hopkins Hospital-Wilmer Eye Institute and the National Institute of Health. Dr. Graham was awarded a two-year research scholarship by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to conduct research at the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Romero has earned several research awards, including the ARVO/NIH Travel Fellowship Grant, the Louis J. Girard Research Award, and the Paul Kayser International Scholar Award from the Pan-American Ophthalmological Foundation.
Presentations & Publications on Retinal Health
As active members of the international retina specialist community, the doctors of VRCNY are known far and wide for their contributions to academic and clinical publications in the field of ophthalmology and beyond. Below are a few of the medical journals VRCNY physicians have contributed to:
- American Journal of Ophthalmology
- Annals of Ophthalmology
- BMJ Open Ophthalmology
- British Journal of Ophthalmology
- Case Reports in Ophthalmology
- Digital Journal of Ophthalmology
- Expert Review of Ophthalmology
- Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- International Ophthalmology
- Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
- JAMA Ophthalmology
- Journal of Academic Ophthalmology
- Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
- Journal of Biomedical Science
- Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology
- Journal of Vitreo Retinal Diseases
- Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
- Mutation Research
- Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging Retina
- Ophthalmology Journal
- Ophthalmology Management
- Ophthalmology® Retina
- RETINA
- Retina Times
Additional Achievements
The retina specialists of VRCNY are some of the most dynamic individuals in healthcare. Among their many industry-leading achievements, contributions, and accolades, many of them contribute to retinal care and ophthalmology in other ways. A few examples include:
- Dr. Jeffrey Shakin, who is an Honorary Police Surgeon for the New York City Police Department, as well as a New York State Trooper Police Surgeon
- Dr. Albert Li, who serves as the Chinese language editor for the Retina Health Series from the Foundation of the American Society of Retina Specialists
- Dr. Juan Romero, who serves as the Spanish language editor of the American Society of Retina Specialists
- Dr. Romero has also been featured as a special guest on Telemundo’s “Videos Noticias” to discuss AMD
- Dr. Charles Mango, who serves as an editor for the Retina Times and reviewer for multiple scientific journals
- Dr. Pamela Weber, who is a member of the National Register’s Who’s Who
- Dr. Jeffrey Paccione, who donates his time to serving on medical missions in the Philippines
- Dr. Jessica Lee, who has been featured in several radio and TV media appearances
Patient Reviews for Our New York Retina Specialists
Beyond their contributions to retinal care as professionals, the retina specialists of VRCNY are beloved by their patients for their expertise and compassionate care. Below are just a small sample of some of the most moving patient testimonials our retina doctors have received in recent months:
- Dr. David Fastenberg (4.9 Stars): Dr. David Fastenberg is a "ten star doctor". He is one of the most kindhearted, talented and caring professionals you will ever have the pleasure of working with.
- Dr. Jeffrey Shakin (4.9 Stars): Dr. Shakin is an excellent physician. He is meticulous in his practice and is an excellent diagnostician. His body of knowledge is breathtaking. He treated me with respect and kindness. His staff is uniformly professional, helpful, and well informed. I wouldn’t trust the care of my retinas to any other viteoretinologist.
- Dr. Eric Shakin (4.9 Stars): Dr. Shakin was very attentive and meticulous during my eye exam. He took the time the answer all of my questions. He has a great bedside manner and I felt calm and well taken care of. Would recommend.
- Dr. Philip Ferrone (4.9 Stars): Dr. Ferrone is a superior professional. He is knowledgable, on the cutting edge of research, compassionate and personable. I always recommend him to friends and family.
- Dr. Vincent Deramo (4.9 Stars): Dr. Deramo has been taking care of my eyes for over 20 years. I cannot say enough great things about Dr. Deramo. He is knowledgeable, professional, and has a very caring personality. I highly recommend Dr. Deramo if you are looking for a doctor that truly cares about your eyes!
- Dr. Kenneth Graham (4.9 Stars): Dr. Graham is professional, personal, and caring. He has saved my vision and I am indebted to him. I actually enjoy going to him for my treatments - and the visits are getting less and less frequent since my condition has improved so much.
- Dr. Brett Rosenblatt (4.9 Stars): Remarkable! Dr. Rosenblatt explains how my condition is consistent or any changes he observes. Discussing lifestyle, medical updates, and medications, he advises me what to continue or adjust in my life. I have the utmost trust in his assessment particularly since he has been addressing my MD for over a decade.
- Dr. Juan Romero (4.8 Stars): I've been a patient Dr. Juan Romero since 2017. I must say honestly he's an excellent skilled professional person and exceptional Retina Specialist. I am highly satisfied and grateful to have him as my doctor. Dr. Romero is understanding with patience to answer any questions or concerns regarding treatment or diagnosis. I would recommend Dr. Juan Romero to my family and friends.
- Dr. David Rhee (5.0 Stars): Dr. Rhee is wonderful, and this is coming from a surgeon-patient. I felt completely at ease during my surgery, and the postop card has been top-notch (and I know a thing or two about postop care!) He greeted me by name, was truly interested in my progress, and fully answered all my questions (and as a surgeon, I had quite a few!) He is most highly recommended!
- Dr. Jonathan Jonisch (4.8 Stars): Dr. Jonisch is very nice and very professional. He makes you feel at home and is just an all around down to earth man. My dad is his patient and I highly recommend going to him if you need an eye specialist. A+++++++
- Dr. David Poon (4.9 Stars): Dr. Poon is an expert in his field. He is warm and caring and makes the patients feel comfortable. He is thorough in examination and provides detailed analysis. He earns the trust from his patients.
- Dr. Jessica Lee (4.8 Stars): Absolutely fantastic. Dr. Lee is one in a million, so caring and has the ability to explain so we understand. She seems to be a people person. She connects easily with us. She is not stuffy and overbearing. Her whole demeanor was such that even me a nervous patient could relax.
- Dr. Albert Li (4.8 Stars): Wonderful doctor! He's knowledgeable, personable, and professional. He also has an amazing team of assistants & technicians that always work with him who are equally amazing. He is compassionate and caring. explained my procedure, and had a wonderful sense of humor which immediately put me at ease. I would highly recommend him.
- Dr. James Lin (4.7 Stars): Dr. Lin is delightful. He is knowledgeable, congenial and very approachable. He will answer any questions and give explanations readily. It is always a pleasure when the follow up visit rolls around.
- Dr. Charles Mango (5.0 Stars): He is extremely personable & clearly the patient is his priority. He is efficient without making the patient feel rushed. Answers all questions in lay terms - patiently & completely. Makes a very stressful situation more relaxed because you feel confident in his care.
- Dr. Pamela Weber (4.9 Stars): Dr. Weber and the staff, in my opinion, is beyond amazing. She is kind, compassionate and truly a wonderful doctor, who has treated my condition (Wet Macular) with the utmost attention and professional care. My eyes are better!!!! The proof of the pudding is in the eating. I cannot praise her enough!!!!
- Dr. Jeffrey Paccione (4.9 Stars): I love Dr. Paccione. I changed my insurance just to follow him! I always have a sense that I'm in the best hands, and he is respected by my ophthalmologist!
Choose VRCNY for the Best Retina Specialist Care in New York
The retina specialists of VRCNY are among the most distinguished doctors in New York City, Queens, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester, Rockland County, and beyond. Each member of our physician team is driven by deep compassion to help patients experiencing retinal and macular vision issues. If you need exceptional retinal care in New York, we invite you to contact us today.