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.

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!!)!!
02/19/2019
5 stars Recommended
Great group of professionals.
12/11/2018
5 stars 5
My son was diagnosed with Keratoconus and almost lost his vision. I was referred to Dr. Hersh by a Dr. Ilan Cohen. With cross linking performed on my son's right eye and a cornea transplant performed on his left eye, my son's vision is restored. Dr. Hersh and his staff are really amazing. I would definitely recommend this place to someone.Thank you Dr. Hersh for giving my son his eyesight back and his confidence back.
12/11/2018
5 stars 5
My son was diagnosed with Keratoconus and almost lost his vision. I was referred to Dr. Hersh by a Dr. Ilan Cohen. With cross linking performed on my son's right eye and a cornea transplant performed on his left eye, my son's vision is restored. Dr. Hersh and his staff are really amazing. I would definitely recommend this place to someone.Thank you Dr. Hersh for giving my son his eyesight back and his confidence back.
07/28/2018
5 stars 5
He is a very outstanding and caring doctor. Thank you for helping my husband.

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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