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.

08/04/2017
5 stars Recommended
Excellent care with a top notch staff! Dr. Peter Hersch performed my lasik surgery, restoring my vision! Highly recommend this group of professionals; I can't thank them enough. Truly a life changing experience.
07/27/2017
5 stars Recommended
Amazing staff and Dr Hersh is brilliant!! My son is resting comfortably and we are very happy with the results.
07/21/2017
5 stars 5
I decided to get lasik after developing an allergy to contacts. My contact prescription was -5.00. Dr. Hersh and his staff were enormously helpful during the entire process. They really do take care of you. He is pricier than other places I looked into, but the level of care was well worth it. I am now seeing 20/20 with no issues 8 months after surgery. I travel a lot and it is so nice to not have to pack contacts, solution, and glasses. This was the best decision I've ever made!
06/29/2017
5 stars Recommended
From the first phone call with Helena, to the qualification testing with Raluca, to the scheduling with Jen, to the meet and greet with Dr. Hersh... it was a first class experience all around. In addition to being referred by some of the top physicians in NJ, I knew that TCLE was where I'd find the peace of mind for my lasic procedure after my initial visit. As a bonus, the friendly, knowledgeable, and professional staff was complemented nicely by the classy office setting and attire worn by the team. The procedure day was another positive experience. The pre-op and post-op game plan review with Nikki, Dr. Gelles, and Dr. Hersh left no questions or concerns unaddressed, When it came time for the procedure, Dr. Hersh was as cool and comforting as I expected. It's easy to see why he's earned such a stellar reputation. Continued success! -m
06/02/2017
5 stars 5
From my first consult to my first follow-up visit, every person was pleasant, professional and helpful. The day of my LASIK surgery everyone helped me relax. I cannot rave more about the professionalism of each individual employee, from the front desk staff, The nurses, and the doctor. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a positive experience. Every part of the procedure was explained in detail, and I was asked if I had any questions. Very pleasant experience.

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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