Paul Petrakos, D.O., MS

After graduating magna cum laude from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry/biophysics, Dr. Haqqie graduated from Albany Medical College cum laude. She was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alphahonor society her junior year of medical college. She completed her residencyat Albany Medical College where she was selected to serve as chief resident in her final year and was awarded the Robert Reinecke research award. Dr. Haqqie then went on to complete her fellowship in cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, New York.Dr. Haqqie was previously the assistant director of the Wills Eye Hospital Emergency Department. During her time at Wills Eye Hospital, she was the recipient of the Residency Advocacy Award in 2021 and 2023. She also received the Exemplary Teacher Award from the national organization, Real World Ophthalmology. Dr. Haqqie has been recognized as a gifted educator and has astrong interest in teaching the next generation of ophthalmologists.Dr. Haqqie is author and co-author of numerous journal articles and national presentations. Her areas of clinical and research interest include ocularsurface disease, cataract surgery, and ocular emergencies.Dr. Haqqie is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons, and is an active member of various professional societies. She is committed to excellence in the provision of a complete range of ophthalmic service. Her practice interests include comprehensive ophthalmology, advanced corneal, cataract, and laser vision correction. Dr. Haqqie is currently accepting new patients; appointments can be made by calling 646-962-2020.

Pratik Patel, OD is an optometrist at Weill Cornell Medicine Ophthalmology. His practice interests include contact lenses and ocular disease. After obtaining his undergraduate degree in Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh, he received his Doctorate in Optometry from the SUNY College of Optometry. During optometry school, Dr. Patel was member of the Beta Sigma Honors Society, Gold Key Honors Society, and was awarded Billie M. Lyons Memorial Award for distinguished service to the college community. Dr. Patel then completed a Contact Lens and Ocular Disease residency at The Ohio State University Havener Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology where he gained extensive training in fitting specialty contact lenses with an emphasis on scleral lenses for complex corneal and ocular surface diseases. In addition, he gained clinical experience in several ophthalmology sub-specialties such as anterior segment, glaucoma, retina, and neuro-ophthalmology. Dr. Patel has presented posters and spoken at several meetings and conferences.Dr. Patel has been interested and dedicated to community service and volunteering during his time in college and optometry school. He was heavily involved with the Lions Club where he helped organized vision screenings in the local community. In addition, Dr. Patel participated in a service trip to Nicaragua with the Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH) organization providing free eye exams and glasses to various communities.Dr. Patel is currently accepting new patients. He sees comprehensive eye exams, contact lens exams, refractive surgery co-management, cataract co-management, anterior segment pathology, and monitors glaucoma, diabetes, and macular degeneration. In addition, he specializes in complex contact lens fittings for various ocular conditions including: keratoconus, post-corneal transplant, severe dry eye, post-surgical corneal ectasia, corneal dystrophies, ocular surface disease, ocular trauma, irregular astigmatism, presbyopia, aphakia, and high refractive error.

Donald J. D'Amico, MD, Professor and Chair of the Israel Englander Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at the New York Presbyterian Hospital, is an internationally recognized leader in the field of vitreoretinal surgery. He assumed the Chair at Weill Cornell in 2006 after his longstanding positions at Harvard Medical School as Professor of Ophthalmology, and as Associate Chief of Ophthalmology and Director of the Diabetic Unit at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois College of Medicine, he completed his residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He completed his fellowship in vitreoretinal diseases at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, followed by selection as Chief Resident in Ophthalmology at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary prior to joining the Harvard faculty.Dr. D'Amico has published over 175 articles on vitreoretinal diseases and has co-edited two books covering comprehensive retinal themes. He has participated as a principal investigator or co-investigator in many clinical trials and laboratory investigations. His major interests include: vitreoretinal surgery; diabetic retinopathy; macular degeneration; experimental lasers and other technologies for the surgical treatment of vitreoretinal disorders such as retinal detachment, macular holes and epiretinal membranes; and endophthalmitis and intravitreal drug therapy. As attending physician specializing in the care of patients with vitreoretinal disorders at the Israel Englander Department of Ophthalmology, Dr. D'Amico also provides direct instruction of medical students, ophthalmology residents, and retina fellows. In this role he has twice received the Teacher of the Year Award given by the residents of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.Dr. D'Amico is a distinguished national and international lecturer and is the recipient of many honors, including the Honor Award and the Senior Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He serves on the board of four major journals, and is highly active in professional societies. He is a past President of the Retina Society, and is the immediate past President of the prestigious international retinal organization Club Jules Gonin. Donald J. D'Amico, M.D., Professor and Chair of the Israel Englander Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, discusses diabetic retinopathy, a retina disorder caused by complications of diabetes.