Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, was named Newsweek’s best ophthalmologist in the country in 2023, 2022 and 2021 on Newsweek’s list of top eye doctors in the United States. He received a near perfect score for quality of care, continuity of care, and the quality of the technology used in his practice. Dr. Donnenfeld was also named on Ophthalmology Management’s 25 Leaders in Innovation, and on The Ophthalmologist’s Power List in 2018 and 2022.
About Eric D. Donnenfeld
Dr. Donnenfeld is an internationally recognized expert and pioneer in refractive, cornea and cataract surgery and one of the leading refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States. Dr. Donnenfeld graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College in 1977 and first in his class at Dartmouth Medical School in 1980. He was Chief Resident at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and completed a Cornea and Refractive Fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital. Dr. Donnenfeld is on the Board of Overseers of Dartmouth Medical School and a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at New York University Medical Center.
Dr. Donnenfeld was the 2013-2014 President of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Donnenfeld is the Chief Medical Editor of EyeWorld, the official publication of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. He is on the Executive Boards of ASCRS and ACOS and is a member of the Refractive Committee of ASCRS and Cornea section of Ocular Surgery News. Dr. Donnenfeld is a National Medical Director of TLC Laser Eye Centers and Surgical Director of the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island. He is a past president of the Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group. Locally, Dr. Donnenfeld has also served as a board member of the Nassau Academy of Medicine, the American College of Surgeons Long Island Chapter and the Nassau Surgical Society, and is a past president of the Nassau Surgical Society, where he is the youngest person to ever receive their Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Donnenfeld has served as Resident Instructor at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and as Program Director at North Shore University Hospital. Dr. Donnenfeld has designed and patented six instruments for refractive surgery use. He has authored more than 190 papers on cornea, external disease, cataract and refractive surgery, 500 scientific articles, and 40 books and book chapters on a range of subjects pertaining to corneal transplants, cataract care and laser vision correction.
Dr. Donnenfeld is on the editorial board of nine journals and has participated in over 40 FDA studies. He is one of the first 5 people in the world to perform both laser vision correction and laser cataract surgery. Dr. Donnenfeld is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and has received its Honor Award, Senior Honor Award, Life Achievement Honor Award and Secretariat Award. Dr. Donnenfeld has performed laser vision correction on over 70,000 patients and more than 1,000 eye doctors and their families. The Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today has named Dr. Donnenfeld as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Ophthalmologists in the United States.
Credentials
Education & Training
- Fellowship
- Residency
- Medical School
- Undergraduate
Languages
English
Memberships & Affiliations
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Ophthalmology®
Awards & Recognition
Healthgrades Honor Roll
What patients say
Reviews & ratings
Patient Reviews
No reviews yetReviews for Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD
★★★★★4.252 reviewsGoogle reviews from the "Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD" Google Business Profile. Reviews describe the practice and may mention other providers at this location.View all Google reviews at this practice
Excellent opthomoglist!
Great doctor! great staff! Busy well-runned office!
farms out work to understudy; "bandaid placed fell out on ride home. office could not be reached via telephone
Dr. Eric Donnenfeld is a world‑class leader in ophthalmology, particularly in refractive cataract surgery, corneal procedures (including crosslinking) and laser vision correction such as LASIK and PRK. I have entrusted him with the care of my own friends and colleagues in the New York area, and he has consistently delivered outstanding, life‑changing results. What sets Dr. Donnenfeld apart is not just his surgical mastery but also his dedication to teaching and innovation. As one of the foremost authorities on anterior segment surgery, he lectures at major conferences throughout the year and remains at the cutting edge of new techniques and technologies. Patients regularly remark on his professionalism, warmth and the clear communication he provides throughout the process. Simply put, if you are considering refractive or corneal surgery, you couldn’t be in better hands. I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Donnenfeld for anyone seeking exceptional care and world‑leading expertise.
Exceptional results! Dr. Donnenfeld and his team made what I thought was impossible, possible. The overall LASIK process (pre and post op) was very seamless. My vision gets clearer everyday and I feel great. So grateful and thankful! I100% recommend Dr. Donnenfeld and his team. Thank you!!
I want to take a moment to thank Dr. Donnenfeld and his team for restoring my vision. Dr. Donnenfeld is not only the best around, having experience and expertise beyond compare but also his talents go far beyond that. He takes the time to explain what’s going on and what will be done. He also understands what is best for you on a personal basis, optimizing the outcome for you. He exudes professionalism and provides you with confidence and reassurance that you are receiving the best care possible. Every once in a while you run into someone far and away the best at what they do. Someone who impacts lives and the associated quality of life in people every day. Dr Donnenfeld is one of those people and I am thankful to be one of his patients.
Dr. Donnenfeld was recommended to me by several friends. I needed cataract surgery in both eyes. I had the procedure done in both eyes and Dr Donnenfeld far exceeded all the accolades that were conveyed to me. He has a fantastic manner and genuinely enjoys his work. And I cannot tell you how impressed I was as he performed both procedures. Its a day after my 2nd procedure and everything is crystal clear. I dont need my glasses to drive. I personally can be a bit demanding as a business owner, as I do my best for my clients. But never ONCE did I feel I was not getting the best care by the best Doctor. He has my 100% endorsement!!
Went to him about 5 years ago to fix the lens that was placed in my right eye in 1993. During the procedure he dropped the lens behind my eye. By the look of the black and blue surrounding my eye he must of had to do a lot of digging to retrieve it. Had to go back for a second surgery to stop the bleeding behind the eye and to try again to reposition the lens. Needless to say that didn't work. Went yet again for the 3rd surgery where he was going to put a new lens in. Dr. Donnenfeld specifically stated to my husband and I when I come back the next day he wanted to see me personally. I should of realized at that time it was a joke because I didn't hear him during the surgery. When I returned the next day and stated to the attending doctor that he wanted to see me I was told sarcastically that he was in a meeting and I could wait around until the meeting was over which will be later that afternoon. I only lived 2 hours from the office! I left the office, never to return and eyesight worse than before. I have since moved to Indiana where I have been lucky to find outstanding eye surgeons who have done cataract surgery on my left eye and guess what? I can see. I have also gone through 3 more surgeries in the right eye, glaucoma and a cornea transplant. My surgeon is amazing. He is competent and genuinely caring of my situation. He went out of his way to squeeze me in 2 days after my surgery since he was going on vacation the next week and wanted to evaluate the situation himself. It is rather sad to see how the supposed success of doctors change them into uncaring doctors and make you feel like a number, not a human being! I believe success went to Dr. Donnenfelds head!
Awful This drs reputation is in the past Its time for him to retire i went in for cataract surgery-came out with almost no vision ( btw i never wore glasses before) i went back in for revision and still my vision was bad - worse than before i started Now he says i need 2 more surgeries ! Not a chance hell be doing it ! He also told me i needed an expensive lens but id never need glasses ($4500) of course i relied on what he told me - now i cant read without glasses which i never needed before the surgery Hes a fraud and on top of that trying to call the office is a nightmare Youre lucky if anyone answers the phone if you leave a message expect a call back in a week Now i have to go to a different dr to try to correct his mistake and im told it wont be covered !!! Run the other way!!!
