George J. Florakis, MD

Ophthalmology
Cornea & External Disorders
More specialties
Accepting New Patients
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Overview

George J. Florakis, M.D., is the Malcolm P. Aldrich Professor of Ophthalmology at CUMC and Director of Columbia Ophthalmology in Westchester. Dr. Florakis is an expert in corneal surgery and consultation. He specializes in management techniques for corneal transplants, endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK, DSAEK), corneal dystrophies, and anterior segment trauma and reconstruction.

A national leader in corneal diseases, Dr. Florakis is a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of the National Eye Bank Association of America, a longtime member of the medical advisory board of the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration in New York, the New York Ophthalmological Society, New York State Medical Society, and the Northeast Cornea Society, as well as many other professional organizations. Dr. Florakis has authored many book chapters and peer-reviewed articles, and lectures extensively both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Florakis received his undergraduate and medical degrees from Columbia University. Following his ophthalmology residency training at Columbia’s Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Dr. Florakis completed a fellowship in corneal and external eye diseases under the preceptorship of Jay Krachmer, MD, at the University of Iowa.

Dr. Florakis sees patients in Westchester and in the Harkness Eye Institute at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

 

Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated

  • Corneal Disorders
  • Cornea Transplant
  • Pterygium

Academic Appointments

  • Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology

Hospital Affiliations

  • NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester
  • NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center

Gender

  • Male

Schedule an Appointment

Phone Appointments

New and Existing Patients:

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Location(s)

622 W 168th Street
Suite 303
New York, NY 10032
Disabled Accessible
Phone:

Insurance Accepted

Aetna

  • Aetna Signature Administrators
  • EPO
  • HMO
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • NYP Employee Plan
  • NY Signature
  • POS
  • PPO
  • Student Health

Affinity Health Plan

  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care

AgeWell

  • Medicare Managed Care
  • Special Needs

Amida Care

  • Special Needs

Cigna

  • EPO
  • Great West (National)
  • HMO
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • POS
  • PPO

Emblem/GHI

  • Medicare Managed Care
  • PPO

Emblem/HIP

  • ConnectiCare
  • EPO
  • Essential Plan
  • HMO
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • POS
  • PPO
  • Select Care (Exchange)
  • Vytra

Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield

  • EPO
  • HMO
  • PPO

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care

Fidelis Care

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

Healthfirst

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Leaf (Exchange)
  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

Local 1199

  • Local 1199

MagnaCare (National)

  • MagnaCare

Medicare

  • Railroad
  • Traditional Medicare

Multiplan

  • Multiplan

MVP Health Care

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan
  • HMO
  • Medicaid Managed Care

Oxford Health Plans

  • Freedom PPO
  • POS

Quality Health Management

  • Quality Health Management

RiverSpring

  • Special Needs

UnitedHealthcare

  • Compass (Exchange)
  • Empire Plan
  • HMO
  • Medicaid (Community Plan)
  • Medicare Managed Care
  • Oxford Freedom
  • Oxford HMO
  • Oxford Liberty
  • POS
  • PPO

WellCare

  • Medicaid Managed Care
  • Medicare Managed Care

World Trade Center Health Plan

  • World Trade Center Health Plan

*Please contact the provider’s office directly to verify that your particular insurance is accepted.

Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

  • Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Residency: Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, NY
  • Fellowship: University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

Board Certifications

  • Ophthalmology

Honors & Awards

2018 – 2023                Visiting Professor/ Consultant of the Ophthalmology Department

                                    of the Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, China

2008 – 2022                New York Times “Super Doctors”

1995 – Present            Best Doctors in America, including Castle Connolly

2019                            American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Award

2014                            Visiting Professor Yale University Department of Ophthalmology 

2012                            Tom Casey Memorial Lecture – Joint Irish and UKISCRS

2010                            American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award

2010                            Williford Distinguished Visiting Professor – Hamilton Eye Institute

2009                            Foundation Fighting Blindness Man of Vision Award

2007                            Awarded New York City Council Proclamation

2000                            Edward S. Harkness Nurses First Annual “Physician of the Year”

1997                            Edward S. Harkness Ophthalmology Resident Appreciation Award 

1997                            Election to New York Ophthalmological Society

1995                            Philip Knapp Memorial Teaching Award

America's Top Doctor
NY Top Doctor