About CLEI

The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute

CLEI staff

Founded in 1995, the Cornea and Laser Eye Institute is a nationally renowned center specializing exclusively in vision correction and corneal surgery. The founder, Dr. Peter Hersh, envisioned a center of excellence dedicated to the eye surgery subspecialty of laser, refractive, keratoconus, and corneal surgery, devoted to the best patient results and a leadership role in the U.S. in this unique medical field. 

Today the Cornea and Laser Eye Institute is a recognized leader in the field of vision correction procedures , corneal surgery, and keratoconus. In addition to our surgeon’s and doctor’s extensive training and experience in LASIK and other refractive surgical techniques, CLEI’s excellent patient results derive from our meticulous attention to detail, highly trained team, state-of-the-art equipment and laser technology, humidity and temperature-controlled laser room and sterile procedure technique, and careful screening and examination of our patients. 

To assure your experience is of utmost comfort and success, our team has been carefully trained in all procedures correcting refractive errors and other corneal disorders, including LASIK, LASEK, PRK, Evo ICL, Intacs, Wavelight, reading vision correction, implantable lenses, advanced corneal surgery and transplantation techniques, premium cataract surgery with the newest implants and laser innovations, and other procedures. Our team will provide you with the essential information regarding vision correction surgery based upon your individual needs, and help you make a better educated decision as to whether laser vision correction is right for you. 

The CLEI team will make your experience with us pleasant, informative, and successful. We are always available to discuss any questions or concerns you may have.

The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm and Tuesday from 12:00pm to 8:00pm. We understand the busy schedule of our patients, so our courteous patient management team will try to accommodate your schedule as much as possible.

CLEI is located in Teaneck, New Jersey and we serve the nearby Paramus, Morristown, and Princeton communities. We are the choice destination for Manhattan, New York City patients seeking LASIK laser eye surgery. We know that a number of people will be traveling longer distances to see us. For your convenience, we have a hotel in our complex and also work with a number of doctors around the U.S. and internationally. In addition, please click on the links below for travel information and accommodations near us.

10/16/2019
5 stars Recommended
Dr Gelles is the absolute best! Karen talked us through everything. They are the kindest, most caring people. Most importantly, they are the top people to go to for Keratoconus. Absolutely cannot recommend them enough!!
10/10/2019
5 stars 5
I could not be happier with The Cornea & Laser Eye Institute and would, and have, recommended them to everyone!!! From the great staff at the front desk that greeted me with a smile and knew my name the second I walked in, to the nurses, doctors and Office Manager always made me feel comfortable with my procedure.Jen at the front desk was super friendly and answered my 100 questions, Helena and Karen also at the front desk both helped with scheduling me and answering my questions. Dr. Greenstein did an amazing job and was super patient with me and personally called me on my cell after my procedure. Stacey Lazar is super nice and answered my other 100 questions and explained everything to me step by step.Amazing facility and staff!!
09/24/2019
5 stars 5
I have complicated corneas. Glasses can't correct my vision enough for driving; my dry eyes and irregular scleral surface make contact lenses problematic. When the doctors I had been using said there was nothing left that they could do for me, one of them referred me to CLEI. I have to say, in my 60+ years of life, I don't think I have ever met doctors as expert, caring, and kind as Dr. Gelles (specialty contact lens optometrist) and Dr. Greenstein (cornea surgeon.) They are not only experts at what they do, but they are thorough in their diagnoses, clear in their explanations, patient in answering every single question I have, and they never stop working to get the best result. Whether it's getting the best possible specialty lens, or the best possible surgical solution (I've had both), I just can't say enough about these guys.Perhaps this says it best: I live on Long Island; to get there, I have to take the George Washington Bridge. For 3 years now, I have willingly braved the Cross Bronx Expressway to get to CLEI. Anyone who lives in this area will understand that there is no higher compliment than, "You are worth a trip on the Cross Bronx Expressway."
09/02/2019
5 stars 5
Dr Peter Hersh did lasik opration on my eyes when I was 38 years old and made the operation so that would not need to wear reading glasses when in my fifties and am now 55 years old and still have 20/20 vision and no need of reading glasses!Best doctor best decision I did in my life! He is awesome
05/09/2019
5 stars 5
This is a bit past due, I had my vision corrected here a little under 2 years ago, but better late than never! I feel like I could sum up my experience with Dr. Hersh by saying it was the best money I ever spent, and I've been recommending this particular practice ever since.I received bladeless Lasik in both eyes for short sightedness, which was something I had wanted to do for some time. My parents had their vision corrected by Dr. Hersh as well 20 years prior and recommended him strongly. That being said I was still nervous, it's definitely not a procedure to take lightly!From my first consult (free!) right through my final checkup, Dr. Hersh and his incredible staff were so diligent in not only honestly establishing whether or not I would be a good candidate, but in patiently answering all my questions and concerns throughout and ensuring my comfort every step of the way. It's a bit funny talking about it really, because it is considered a rather scary thing, but I didn't feel scared at all. You just feel like you're in really good hands.It's a pretty penny to be certain, but it's not really the kind of thing you want to be cutting cost on anyway. Dr Hersh's quality of care and expertise merits the price - and his resume speaks for itself, he has actively contributed to the feild of vision correction for some time. If you're uncertain, check out the website and consider going in for the consult, and best of luck to you!I realize this is a super glowing review and I probably sound like a plant, haha, but I'm just a really really happy and grateful customer... Thanks for my eyesight, Dr. Hersh (and practice!!)!!

Meet Our Expert Team of Doctors

Dr. Steven A. Greenstein, MD

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

Steven A. Greenstein, MD is the medical director and director refractive surgery at CLEI. He graduated from New York University and received his M.D. from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine where he graduated with a special distinction in clinical research. Dr. Greenstein completed his Ophthalmology Residency training at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. While at Rutgers, Dr. Greenstein trained under Dr. Peter Hersh. He completed a Cornea, Refractive, and External Disease Fellowship at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is an internationally recognized expert in cornea and refractive surgery. He is a team ophthalmologist for the New York Jets.

You can view a small selection of the research and clinical trial results Dr. Greenstein published here.


Dr. John D. Gelles, OD

OPTOMETRIST

John D. Gelles, OD, FAAO, FIAOMC, FCLSA, FSLS, FBCLA is the director of the specialty contact lens division at CLEI. He graduated from the University of Oregon and received his O.D. from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He went on to complete a Cornea Fellowship under Dr. Peter Hersh. He is an adjunct clinical professor in Cornea and Contact Lens for the New England College of Optometry, Illinois College of Optometry, and State University of New York College of Optometry. Additionally, he is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is an internationally recognized expert in specialty contact lenses and PROSE treatment. 

You can view a small selection of the research and clinical trial results Dr. Gelles published here.


Dr. Peter S. Hersh, MD

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

Peter S. Hersh, MD, FACS is the director of Cornea and the research division at CLEI. He graduated from Princeton University and received his M.D. from Johns Hopkins Medical School. He completed his ophthalmology residency and Cornea fellowship at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School and remained on faculty at Harvard for several years. In 1995, he founded the Cornea and Laser Eye Institute and in 2002 the CLEI Center for Keratoconus. He is a Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Director of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Division at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and a Visiting Research Collaborator at Princeton University. He is an internationally recognized expert in cornea and refractive surgery and the official team ophthalmologist for the New York Jets.

You can view a small selection of the research and clinical trial results Dr. Hersh published here.


Dr. David S. Chu, MD

OPHTHALMOLOGIST

David S. Chu, MD is a clinical collaborator at CLEI. He received his bachelor’s degree from Bowdoin College. He graduated from the New York University School of Medicine and completed his ophthalmology residency at New York Medical College. He completed a fellowship in Ocular Inflammatory Disease and Uveitis at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Harvard Medical School. He is a Clinical Professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. He is an internationally recognized expert in complex immunologic corneal disease and surgery. He is a team ophthalmologist for the New York Jets.

You can view a small selection of the research and clinical trial results Dr. Chu published here.

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