Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology Services

The health of your eyes has a major impact on every area of your life, from work and education to enjoying time with family and recreation. Richmond University Medical Center is proud to serve Staten Island with a full range of ophthalmology services to promote better vision and eye health. Led by David Mostafavi, M.D., who is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, our team provides comprehensive vision and eye care services for patients of all ages.

What Is Ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders and diseases. Whereas optometrists perform routine eye exams and prescribe corrective lenses, our ophthalmologists are experts in all areas of eye care and licensed to address a wide range of eye conditions, such as:

• Cataracts: A visual impairment that clouds the eye’s natural lens and is the leading cause of blindness
• Cornea and external eye diseases: Conditions include dry eyes, blepharitis, keratoconus, Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, and bullous keratopathy
• Glaucoma: This disease causes damage to the optic nerve and can cause visual impairments or blindness
• Retinal pathology: Includes diabetes, floaters, macular degeneration (dry and wet), and retinal tears
• Strabismus: More commonly known as lazy eye, strabismus forces the brain to favor one eye
• Inflammatory eye conditions: A variety of eye problems arising from autoimmune or inflammatory disorders, as well as infections

Our Vision and Eye Care Services

Whether you are experiencing symptoms or due for a check-up, Richmond University Medical Center delivers advanced ophthalmologic services that allow you to receive expert care right here in Staten Island. We specialize in vision and eye care services for children and adults and offer the following:

• Vision exams
• Diabetic eye exams
• Glaucoma screenings
• Diagnosis of ocular disorders and diseases
• Management and treatment of macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, and many other conditions

Richmond University Medical Center’s surgical team also includes a variety of highly experienced subspecialists. Dr. Mostafavi and our team of ophthalmologists perform:

• Cataract surgery
• Corneal transplants
• Strabismus repair
• Retinal detachment repair
• Minimally invasive glaucoma stents (MIGS)

Meet Our Specialists

Dr. Hassan, serves as our Chief of Opthalmology department. She is a board‑certified ophthalmologist with advanced fellowship training in Corneal and External Disease. She specializes in cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, and intraocular lens exchange and repositioning.

Dr. Hasan earned her medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she coauthored research on Ocriplasmin treatment. She completed her ophthalmology residency at BronxCare Hospital and served as Chief Resident during her final year. Dr. Hasan then pursued a Cornea Fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, where she treated complex anterior segment conditions and contributed to research on corneal transplant tissue criteria and surgical outcomes.

Dr. Hasan’s clinical expertise includes cataract surgery performed with or without femtosecond laser technology, as well as premium and toric intraocular lens implantation. She is experienced in intraocular lens exchange and repositioning procedures. Her corneal surgical expertise includes penetrating keratoplasty and endothelial keratoplasty, including DSAEK and DMEK procedures. Dr. Hasan also treats pterygium, Fuchs corneal dystrophy, secondary corneal edema, recurrent corneal erosion syndrome, and complex corneal ulcers.

Dr. Hasan has also authored multiple peer‑reviewed publications in leading medical journals. Her research interests include surgical outcomes, corneal pathologies and novel therapeutic approaches, and the management of infectious keratitis.

Dr. Ghassibi, RUMC’s Retinal Specialist, is a fellowship‑trained specialist in retinal diseases and vitreoretinal surgery. He earned his medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. Dr. Ghassibi completed his ophthalmology residency at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Hospital/North Shore University Hospital, serving as Chief Resident during his final year. He then pursued advanced subspecialty training through a two‑year surgical retina fellowship at SUNY Downstate Hospital.

Dr. Ghassibi specializes in the diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular occlusions. He treats a broad range of macular conditions, including macular edema, age‑related macular degeneration, and macular holes. Dr. Ghassibi is also experienced in the evaluation and surgical management of retinal tears and retinal detachment, as well as retinal complications related to sickle cell disease.

Dr. Joseph Muscente is a graduate of SUNY College of Optometry. After completing Optometry school in 1994, he completed his Residency in Hospital Based Optometry / Ocular Disease at the FDR VA Hospital in Montrose, NY. Dr. Muscente then became a clinical instructor at the SUNY College of Optometry and a staff optometrist at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center / St. Albans VA. Now at Richmond University Medical Center, he works closely with ophthalmologists, residents and students providing comprehensive medical eye care to all patients.

Trust Richmond University Medical Center

If you’re concerned about symptoms or need treatment for an existing eye condition, look no further than the board-certified ophthalmologists at Richmond University Medical Center. Our full range of diagnostic, treatment, and rehabilitation services will find a solution for any vision or eye health problems you face.

For more information on our Department of Ophthalmology or to make an appointment, contact us today by calling (718)-818-4848. For those sending medical records and other documents, our fax number is (718)-818-2020.

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