George J. Florakis, MD
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 Cross-Linking
- 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
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Location(s)
Insurance Accepted
Aetna
- Aetna Signature Administrators
- NYP Employee Plan
- NY Signature
- Student Health
Affinity Health Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
AgeWell
- Medicare Managed Care
- Special Needs
Amerigroup of New Jersey
- New Jersey Services (Medicaid Managed Care)
Cigna
- EPO
- Great West (National)
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
Emblem/GHI
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Emblem/HIP
- ConnectiCare
- EPO
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
- Select Care (Exchange)
- Vytra
Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- Medicare Managed Care
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
Fidelis Care
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Healthfirst
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Leaf (Exchange)
- 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)
- Oxford Freedom
- Oxford HMO
- Oxford Liberty
- POS
- PPO
WellCare
- Medicare Managed Care
World Trade Center Health Plan
- World Trade Center Health Plan
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