Amid all the science and innovation, no investment is more meaningful to New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE) than enhancing interactions with its patients. Three recent physical improvements—the opening of the Center for Refractive Solutions, the reopening of the Optical Shop in prime retail space, and renovations of the Laser Vision Correction Center—drive the point home.
Streamlining the Patient Experience
The new Center for Refractive Solutions caters to individuals determined to improve their vision or reduce their dependence on glasses or contacts through cataract surgery or corneal refractive procedures like LASIK. The dedicated and newly renovated space at NYEE brings together state-of-the-art corneal and ocular imaging, a staff of highly experienced surgeons and specialists, and a streamlined process from check-in to testing to professional evaluation to vastly improve the patient experience.
“We’re now able to offer our patients more complete and efficient access to premium services, including intraocular lens implants, laser-assisted cataract surgery, and custom LASIK,” says Kira Manusis, MD, Director, Center for Refractive Solutions and Co-Director of Cataract Services at NYEE. “We’ve centralized all the necessary equipment and services to deliver an efficient and thorough evaluation for patients in just one day—no small advantage for individuals who lead busy lives.”
Supporting that effort are state-of-the-art technologies that allow our ophthalmic specialists to image and map the multiple layers of the cornea, in addition to precisely measuring the dimensions of the eye. “This thoroughness enables us to design a surgical plan tailored to each patient’s lifestyle and ophthalmic needs,” explains Angie Wen, MD, Director of the Keratorefractive Surgery Division at NYEE. “Our surgeons are skilled at implanting the latest intraocular lens platforms, including trifocal and extended depth-of-focus lenses, as well as the new light-adjustable lens. For patients who don’t yet have cataracts, the best refractive solution may be LASIK, PRK, or the EVO phakic intraocular lens.”
NYEE is grateful to the generous support of the Toni and Martin T. Sosnoff family for helping fund the Center for Refractive Solutions.
Optical Shop Is Now a Convenient Storefront
Upon the initial opening of its doors on the third floor of the South Building at NYEE, the Optical Shop helped fill a crucial void for patients looking to improve the quality of their daily lives. Three years later, the Optical Shop has gone through another patient-friendly makeover and relocation to a convenient new storefront location at the corner of 14th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan.
“The reopening of the Optical Shop at ground level will ensure greater visibility and ease of access for patients from either within or outside the hospital,” notes Paul Sidoti, MD, Chair of Ophthalmology at NYEE. “This will help solve the problem that many of our patients in need of eyeglasses or low-vision assistive devices have had in accessing our optical dispensary.”
Another service enhancement now includes an experienced optometrist who provides comprehensive eye exams and offers helpful advice on eyeglass frames, corrective lenses, and sunglasses ranging from high-end luxury brands to more affordable versions covered by insurance.
The Optical Shop, originally opened thanks to a generous donation from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Inc., also provides devices to allow people with low vision to make the most of the sight they still have. These include traditional aids like handheld and stand magnifiers to enlarge print material, and non-optical equipment like flexible-arm task lamps and absorptive sunglasses that filter out bothersome glare. In addition, patients are apprised of the latest technology-driven devices and applications, such as text-to-speech smartphone apps and screen readers that read emails, web pages, and books aloud.
The improved services and expanded, more accessible location are “our way of improving care for all our patients,” sums up Dr. Sidoti, “and providing more equitable delivery of services to the entire community.”
The Laser Vision Correction Center Gets a Fresh Look
As part of Mount Sinai’s ongoing investment into its lower Manhattan facilities, the Laser Vision Correction Center has been renovated. The redesigned space provides a fresh, contemporary décor with a newly furnished reception area and well-appointed exam/treatment rooms. We look forward to continuing to serve our patients in our beautiful new offices.