Tarun Sharma, MD
Overview
Dr. Tarun Sharma is a retina specialist and an expert in treating medical and surgical vitreoretinal diseases. In addition to providing clinical care, Dr. Sharma continues to pursue his research investigations in treating inherited retinal diseases, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration and collaborates closely with many of our clinician-scientists in the Department.
Prior to joining Columbia, Dr. Sharma served on the faculty for over three decades at the Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University in India, where he was a leading expert in medical and surgical vitreoretinal diseases. During his tenure, he held prominent roles such as Professor of Ophthalmology, Director of Vitreoretinal Services, and Program Director of the retina fellowship at the tertiary eye care institute – Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, India. Dr. Sharma was also an accomplished researcher and principal investigator of several clinical and epidemiological studies.
Dr. Sharma has over 300 peer-reviewed publications and continues to serve as a reviewer of several ophthalmology journals including Retina, Ophthalmology, IOVS, TVST, New England Journal of Medicine, American Journal of Ophthalmology, and the British Journal of Ophthalmology. His significant contributions have been recognized by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which honored him with three prestigious awards: the Achievement Award, the International Ophthalmologist Education Award, and the International Scholar Award. Similarly, the American Society of Retinal Specialists (ASRS) bestowed upon him the designation of Fellow, in recognition of his dedication, expertise, and leadership within the field of medical and surgical retina.
Throughout his career, Dr. Sharma has been dedicated to education and training. He has mentored over 100 retinal fellows who now practice worldwide. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to resident education and ophthalmology, he received the John Martin Wheeler Memorial Teaching Award at the Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia Ophthalmology.
Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated
- Detached Retina Repair
- Diabetic Eye Disease
- Diabetic Retinal Exams
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Macular Degeneration
- Macular Hole
- Plaquenil Screening
- Retina and Vitreous Surgery
- Retinal Detachment
- Retinal Disease
- Retinal Disorders
- Retinal Vascular Disorders
- Retinitis pigmentosa
Academic Appointments
- Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at CUMC
Hospital Affiliations
- NewYork-Presbyterian / Weill Cornell Medical Center
Gender
- Male
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Location(s)
Insurance Accepted
Aetna
- Aetna Signature Administrators
- NYP Employee Plan
- NY Signature
- POS
- 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 HealthPlus
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
Fidelis Care
- 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
- Compass (Exchange)
- Empire Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid (Community Plan)
- Oxford Freedom
- Oxford HMO
- Oxford Liberty
- POS
- PPO
WellCare
- Medicare Managed Care
- New Jersey Services (Medicaid Managed Care)
World Trade Center Health Plan
- World Trade Center Health Plan