Tongalp H. Tezel, MD

Ophthalmology
Medical Retina, Retinal & Vitreoretinal Surgery
More specialties
Accepting New Patients
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Overview

tongalp_h._tezel_md_-_columbiadoctors_ophthalmologist

Tongalp H. Tezel, MD is the Chang Family Endowed Professor of Ophthalmology and the Director of the Vitreoretinal Service and Fellowship Program at the Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Tezel is an internationally known clinician-scientist and a leader in the management of vitreoretinal diseases.

Dr. Tezel received his medical degree and initial ophthalmology training in Ankara, Turkey at Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, and completed his ophthalmology residency at Washington University School of Medicine. He later trained under Dr. Stanley Chang and received his fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery here at Columbia University.

He is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, the Macula Society, The Retina Society, and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology. He has received numerous honors, including the Fellow of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (FARVO), American Academy of Ophthalmology's Achievement Award, Alpha Omega Alpha Faculty Membership; Honor Award of the American Society of Retina Specialist, and several Awards for Excellence in Teaching. He is listed on the Best Doctors of America and Castle Connolly's Top Doctor Directory.

Dr. Tezel's research laboratory focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms of various retinal diseases. His main research interests include gene therapy for age-related macular degeneration, inherited retinal diseases, retinal stem cell transplantation, angiogenesis, pharmacologic vitreolysis, and tissue engineering. He has developed several techniques used for tissue engineering and retinal cell replacement therapies, awarded numerous patents for his contributions. Recently, he has embarked on gene treatment and tissue engineering trials for macular degeneration.

Dr. Tezel is an ad-hoc reviewer for several journals in his field and has been contributing to the development of the vitreoretinal field with several publications, presentations, and invited lectures.

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

  • Chang Family Professor of Ophthalmology

Administrative Titles

  • Director, Retina Division
  • Director, Vitreoretinal Fellowship Program

Hospital Affiliations

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

Languages

  • French
  • German
  • Turkish

Gender

  • Male

Schedule an Appointment

Phone Appointments

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Location(s)

622 W 168th Street
New York, NY 10032
Disabled Accessible
Primary
880 Third Avenue
2/F, Floor 2, Suite F
New York, NY 10022

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

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 HealthPlus

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • Essential Plan

Fidelis Care

  • Child/Family Health Plus
  • 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

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

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

Credentials & Experience

Education & Training

  • Internship: 1999 St Mary's Health Center
  • Residency: 2002 Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
  • Fellowship: 2003 Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

Board Certifications

  • Ophthalmology

Honors & Awards

  • 2012:  American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Achievement Award
  • 2011:  Alpha Omega Alpha Faculty Membership
  • 2007- Present:  Listed, Best Doctors in America
  • 2006: Patrick O’Connor Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2005: The American Society of Retina Specialists’ Honor Award
  • 2004: RPB Career Development Award
  • 2004: Patrick O’Connor Award for Excellence in Teaching
  • 2004: NEI Clinician-Scientist Development Award
  • 2002: Ronald Michels Fellowship Award
  • 2000: Rosenbaum Research Award
America's Top Doctor
NY Top Doctor

Research

Dr. Tezel's research laboratory focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms of various retinal diseases. His main research interests include retinal cell transplantation, angiogenesis, pharmacologic vitreolysis, tissue engineering and drug development for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, and has developed several techniques used for tissue engineering and retinal cell replacement therapies.