Royce W.S. Chen, MD
Overview
Dr. Chen graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Music where he sang at Mory's every week with the Yale Whiffenpoofs. He received his M.D. from Tufts University School of Medicine before performing his ophthalmology residency at Columbia University, where he served as Chief Resident. This was followed by a 2-year vitreoretinal surgical fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami, where he served as a Clinical Instructor in Ophthalmology.
He has received numerous honors, including the John Martin Wheeler Resident Teaching Award at Columbia, the Heed Foundation Fellowship, American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award, selection into the New-York Presbyterian Leadership-Academy (LEAD), and recognition as a NYC Super Doctor.
Dr. Chen has a wide range of research interests, ranging from retinal imaging, to artificial intelligence, to innovation in clinical and surgical education. In addition to his roles at Columbia, Dr. Chen also serves on the Board of Trustees and as Vice President of Trainee Mentorship for the Vit Buckle Society and as Planning Group Member for the National Eye Institute Health Education Program.
Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Epiretinal Membrane
- Laser Retinal Surgery
- Macular Degeneration
- Macular Hole
- Macular Pucker
- Retina and Vitreous Surgery
- Retinal and Vitreous Disorders
- Retinal Detachment
- Retinal Disorders
- Retinal Holes and Tears
- Retinal Photography
- Retinal Vascular Disorders
- Retinal Vascular Occlusion
- Retinopathy
- Uveitis
- Vitreoretinal Surgery
Academic Appointments
- Jean Sheng Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at CUMC
Administrative Titles
- Vice Chair of Education in the Department of Ophthalmology
- Residency Program Director
Hospital Affiliations
- NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center
- NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center
Languages
- Mandarin
- Spanish
- Taiwanese
Gender
- Male
Schedule an Appointment
Phone Appointments
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Location(s)
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
Elderplan
- Medicare Managed Care
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
Quality Health Management
- Quality Health Management
RiverSpring
- Special Needs
UnitedHealthcare
- Columbia University Employee Plan
- 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
Credentials & Experience
Education & Training
- MD, 2008 Tufts Univ School of Medicine
- Internship: 2009 Saint Vincent's Catholic Medical Center
- Residency: 2012 Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute
- Fellowship: 2014 Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Committees, Societies, Councils
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Retina Specialists
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Board Certifications
- Ophthalmology
Honors & Awards
2019 John Martin Wheeler Memorial Teaching Award
2018-2019 NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital LEAD (Leadership Education And Development) Attending
2018 Selected for Allergan FIRST (Fostering Innovative Retina Stars of Tomorrow) Program
2015-2017 NYC Super Doctors Rising Star
2013 American Society of Retina Specialists Ambassador to the AAO Mid-Year Forum
2012 – 2013 Heed Foundation Fellowship
2011 – 2012 Chief Resident, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute
2011 New York-Presbyterian Hospital Physician Champion Award
2010 Heed Foundation Residents Retreat
2007 Research to Prevent Blindness Medical Student Eye Research Fellowship
2007 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology National Eye Institute Travel Grant
Research
Selected Publications
1. Chen RWS, Flynn HW, Lee WH, Parke DW 3rd, Isom RF, Davis JL, Smiddy WF. Vitreoretinal management and surgical outcomes in proliferative sickle retinopathy: a case series. Article accepted for publication in American Journal of Ophthalmology 2014.
2. Greenberg JP, Sherman J, Zweifel SA, Chen R, Duncker T, Kohl S, Baumann B, Wissinger B, Yannuzzi LA, Tsang SH. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography staging and autofluorescence imaging in achromatopsia. Article accepted for publication in JAMA Ophthalmology 2014.
3. Lee TJ, Hwang JC, Chen RWS, Lima LH, Wang N, Tosi J, Freund KB, Yannuzzi LA, Tsang SH. The role of fundus autofluorescence in late-onset retinitis pigmentosa (LORP) diagnosis. Ophthalmic Genetics 2013 Jul 30 (epub ahead of print).
4. Danis RP, Domalpally A, Chew EY, Clemons TE, Armstrong J, SanGiovanni JP, Ferris FL 3rd; AREDS2 Study Group. Methods and reproducibility of grading optimized digital color fundus photographs in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2 Report Number 2). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2013;54:4548-54.
5. Chen RWS, Rachitskaya A, Scott IU, Flynn HW Jr. Is the use of topical antibiotics for intravitreal injections the standard of care, or are we better off without antibiotics? JAMA Ophthalmology 2013;131:840-2.
6. Harbour JW, Chen R. The DecisionDx-UM gene expression profile test provides risk stratification and individualized patient care in uveal melanoma. PLoS Curr. 2013 April 9;1. doi:10.1371/currents.eogt.af8ba80fc776c8f1ce8f5dc485d4a618.
7. Chang S, Gregory-Roberts E, Chen R. Retinal detachment associated with optic disc colobomas and morning glory syndrome. Eye 2012;26:494-500.
8. Chen RWS, Greenberg JP, Lazow MA, Ramachandran R, Lima L, Hwang JC, Schubert C, Braunstein A, Allikmets R, Tsang SH. Autofluorescence imaging and spectral domain optical coherence tomography in incomplete congenital stationary night blindness and comparison to retinitis pigmentosa. American Journal of Ophthalmology 2012;153:143-54.
9. Gorczynska I, Srinivasan VJ, Vuong LN, Chen RW, Liu JJ, Reichel E, Wojtkowski M, Schuman JS, Duker JS, Fujimoto JG. Projection OCT fundus imaging for visualizing outer retinal pathology in non-exudative age related macular degeneration. British Journal of Ophthalmology 2009;93:603-9.
10. Srinivasan VJ, Monson BK, Wojtkowski M, Bilonick R, Gorczynska I, Chen RWS, Duker JS, Schuman JS, Fujimoto JG. Characterization of outer retinal morphology with high-speed, ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science 2008;49:1571-9.
11. Cruse JM, Lewis RE, Dilioglou S, Roe DL, Wallace WF, Chen RS. Review of immune function, healing of pressure ulcers, and nutritional status in patients with spinal cord injury. Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. 2000;23:129-35.
12. Cruse JM, Lewis RE, Roe DL, Dilioglou S, Blaine MC, Wallace WF, Chen RS. Facilitation of immune function, healing of pressure ulcers, and nutritional status in spinal cord injury patients. Experimental and Molecular Pathology. 2000;68:38-54.
Case Reports:
1. Gelman R, Chen RWS, Blonska A, Barile G, Sparrow JR. Fundus autofluorescence imaging in a patient with rapidly developing scotoma. Retinal Cases and Brief Reports 2012;6:345-8.
2. Chen RWS, Jakobiec FA, Zakka FR, Kazim M. Orbital perineurioma in the setting of dacryocystitis. Ophthalmic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery 2012;28:e51-5.
3. Lima L, Barbazetto I, Chen R, Yannuzzi L, Tsang SH, Spaide RF. Macular dystrophy in Heimler syndrome. Ophthalmic Genetics 2011;32:97-100.
4. Chen RWS, Gorczynska I, Srinivasan VJ, Fujimoto JG, Duker JS, Reichel E. High-speed ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography findings in chronic solar retinopathy. Retinal Cases and Brief Reports 2008;2:103-5.
5. Yoon MK, Chen RWS, Hedges TR, Srinivasan VJ, Gorczynska I, Fujimoto JG, Schuman JS, Duker JS. High-speed ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography of the retina in Hunter syndrome. Ophthalmic Surgery, Lasers and Imaging 2007;38:423-8.
Books and Chapters:
1. Chen RWS, Fujimoto JG, Duker JS. Spectral/Fourier Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). In: Arevalo JF, ed. Retinal Angiography and Optical Coherence Tomography. New York, NY: Springer; 2009: 439-52.
2. Chen RWS and JS Duker. Interpretation of OCT: Pearls in age-related macular degeneration, In: Boyd S, Brancato R, Straatsma B, eds. Optical Coherence Tomography Atlas and Text. Clayton, Republic of Panama: Jaypee-Highlights; 2008: 133-5.
Reviews, and Editorials:
1. Chen RWS, Harbour JW, Berrocal AM. Do I have cancer? A case of Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. ASRS Spotlight Cases. October 23, 2013.
2. Chen RWS, Rhee D, Duker JS. Spectral OCT and three-dimensional imaging. Retina Times. 2007;22:26-9.
3. Chen RWS, Duker JS, Srinivasan V, Fujimoto JG. Speed and resolution improve in newest OCT. Review of Ophthalmology 2007;14:84-8.
4. Chen RW, Duker JS. Interpretation of OCT: Pearls in age-related macular degeneration. Highlights of Ophthalmology 2006;34:11-4.
Abstracts and Presentations:
1. Chen RW, Harbour JW. Acute inflammatory regression of class 1 posterior uveal melanoma following iodine-125 plaque radiotherapy. 2013 AAO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
2. Chen RW, Sherwood P, Mukkamala SK, Siringo FS, Chang S. Foveal contour after pars plana vitrectomy for idiopathic macular hole. 2013 ARVO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
3. Fisher Y, Chen R, Martinez A. Retinal Imaging. 2013 LuEsther T. Mertz Lecture.
4. Chen RW, Greenberg JP, Zweifel S, Sherman J, Yannuzzi LA, Tsang SH. Evaluation of individuals with achromatopsia using fundus autofluorescence, infrared imaging and spectral domain optical coherence tomography. 2011 ARVO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
5. Chen RW. A case of acute macular neuroretinopathy. 2011, Lighthouse International, New York Retina Club, AMD Alliance International Scientific Symposium. Case Presentation.
6. Chen RW, Greenberg JP, Hwang JC, Tsang SH. Evaluation of individuals with congenital stationary night blindness and retinitis pigmentosa using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and autofluorescence imaging. 2010 ARVO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
7. Chen RW, Duker JS, Reichel E, Baumal C, Rogers AH. Initial anatomic and visual results in patients after intravitreal ranibizumab injection for neovascular age-related macular degeneration. 2009 ARVO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
8. Castro LC, Baumal C, Chen R, Duker JS, Reichel E, Rogers AH. Optical Coherence Tomography and Visual Acuity Results Correlated to the Initial Anatomic Response Following Intravitreal Injection of Ranibizumab in Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration. 2009 ARVO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
9. Gorczynska I, Srinivasan VJ, Liu JJ, Chen RWS, Vuong LN, Wojtkowski M, Duker JS, Schuman JS, Fujimoto JG. Projection OCT fundus imaging for visualization of 3D-OCT Data. 2008 ARVO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
10. Chen RW, Srinivasan VJ, Duker JS, Reichel E, Baumal CR, Rogers AH, Hedges T, Wojtkowski M, Schuman JS, Fujimoto JG. Staging of central serous chorioretinopathy with high-speed ultrahigh resolution OCT. 2007 ARVO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
11. Rogers AH, Chen RW, Duker JS, Baumal CR, Reichel E, Gorczynska I, Liu JJ, Srinivasan V, Schuman JS, Fujimoto JG. Enhanced imaging of macular pathologies with the high speed, Fourier domain RTVue optical coherence tomography instrument. 2007 ARVO Abstract. Paper Presentation.
12. Gorczynska I, Srinivasan VJ, Liu JJ, Chen RW, Reichel E, Duker JS, Wojtkowski M, Schuman JS, Fujimoto JG. Characterization of Non-Exudative AMD With Three-Dimensional UHR OCT and Correlation With Standard Diagnostic Techniques. 2007 ARVO Abstract. Paper Presentation.
13. Liu JJ, Gorczynska I, Srinivasan VJ, Chen RW, Reichel E, Duker JS, Wojtkowski M, Fujimoto JG. OCT Fundus Imaging for Enhanced Visualization of Retinal Pathologies. 2007 ARVO Abstract. Poster Presentation.
14. Gorczynska I, Liu JJ, Srinivasan VJ, Chen RW, Wojtkowski M, Reichel E, Duker JS, Fujimoto JG. En-Face visualization methods for analyzing three-dimensional UHR OCT retinal imaging data. 2007 ECBO Abstract. Paper Presentation.