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Visit the Eye Center
Your Vision is Important to Us
They say that the eyes are the windows to your soul. Here at the Eye Center at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, we treat not only your vision, but use your eyes to detect possible trouble in other parts of your body. An eye examination can include looking at blood vessels without resorting to surgery or using a camera – anomalies in these vessels inside the eye can be an alert to possible diabetes or high blood pressure. In addition, an ophthalmologist can test your eyes for possible glaucoma, an as-yet incurable eye disease that often goes undetected without regular ophthalmic examinations.
About the Eye Center
Originally founded in 1897 as the Episcopal Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, it formed Washington Hospital Center in 1958 by merging with 2 other local hospitals (Emergency Hospital and Garfield Hospital). The Eye Center boasts the first residency program of any kind in the Washington Metropolitan area and is a comprehensive eye care facility, divided into 14 clinical areas: glaucoma, retina, ocular motility, contact lenses, low vision, cornea, oculoplastics, orbital disease, uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology, diagnostic testing, minor surgery and lasers, and, of course, general ophthalmology, which includes cataract evaluation. Most ophthalmic surgery is performed in 2 OR suites reserved for ophthalmic surgery. Our patients receive care from a battery of ophthalmic specialists, including faculty ophthalmologists, ophthalmologists-in-training, and technicians. Our goal is to provide the very best eye care possible to all members of the Washington, DC, Area community, regardless of financial status. Patients are first assessed by our residents, then immediately afterwards by one of our attending faculty ophthalmologists.
Ophthalmic Conditions We Diagnose and Treat
- Cataract
- All glaucomas
- Retinal detachment and macular holes
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
- Corneal abrasions and corneal ulcers
- Conjunctivitis
- Myopia, amblyopia and presbyopia
- Dry eye and blepharitis
- Chalazion
- Diplopia and strabismus
- Pterygium
- Orbital fractures and globe ruptures
- Much more
Cataract Examinations and Surgery Services
- Cataract examinations and surgery
- Retina examinations and surgery
- Glaucoma examinations and surgery
- Oculoplastic assessments and surgery
- Contact lens examinations and fitting
- Laser surgery
- Eyeglass prescriptions
- Regular, preventive eye examinations
- Low vision assessment, including a Low Vision Support Group
- Visual fields
- Fluorescein angiography and fundus photography
- Imaging procedures, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and corneal topography
Annual Statistics:
- 20,000+ patient procedures
- 2000+ total surgeries
- 500+ resident surgeries
- 12,000+ cataract/general evaluations
- 4,500+ glaucoma evaluations
- 2,500+ retina evaluations
Our Eye Center Team
The Eye Center is extremely proud of its 100 attending faculty ophthalmologists, 18 residents and 2 retina fellows. Our chair, Jay M. Lustbader, MD, is a well-known cornea specialist and also chairs the department of ophthalmology at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. Our residency program director, Michael Summerfield, MD, is a comprehensive ophthalmologist and has dedicated himself to our residents and our residency program, which is considered one of the finest in the country.
Contact Us Today
To make an appointment, please call 202-877-EYES (3937). Press option1 to schedule an appointment, option 2 for all other calls.
Patient Information
When you arrive for your appointment, please be sure to have your insurance card and a valid photo ID, as well as a list of your current medications, if any, and copies of any recent eye exams performed elsewhere, if available. Our hours are 8:30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Our Location
The Eye Center is located in Suite 1A-19 of the main Medstar Washington Hospital Center Building, on the 1st Floor just inside the bus entrance.
