JAY LIPPMAN, MD
SPECIALITY: Ophthalmology
HOSPITAL AFFILIATION: Eye Surgery Center of Westchester, New Rochelle
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE: Brooklyn College
MEDIAL DEGREE: Rosalind Franklin University of the Health Sciences
RESIDENCY: Albert Einstein College of Medicine
SPECIAL AWARDS: Honor awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists.

WHY DO YOU THINK YOU WERE NAMED BEST DOCTOR BY OTHER DOCTORS? It’s humbling and very gratifying.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS SPECIALTY? I was an air force flight surgeon during the Vietnam War and much of aviation medical training is in ophthalmology—the pilots need to be able to see. When I returned to the States, I decided to specialize in this field.

WHAT ADVANCES HAVE YOU SEEN IN THIS FIELD? We have seen incredible advances in the last 20 years. We can now take out a cataract, a clouding of the crystalline lens, and replace it with an implant that not only takes away the blurriness caused by the cataract but also the bluriness that created the original need for glasses. We are entering the age of multifocal implants. With bifocals, patients can see near or far, but multifocal implants offer the whole spectrum of focus and can reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses. Cataract surgery and/or lens replacement surgery are now considered to be extremely safe procedures.

WHERE WILL YOUR SPECIALTY BE 10 YEARS FROM NOW? Much refractive surgery that is now being done on the cornea will instead be performed on the crystalline lens, which is where cataracts are generated. We will be able to replace the lens with a compensating multifocal implant. Eventually, this type of surgery may become the preferred treatment over LASIK surgery in some cases.

MOST MEMORABLE CASE: I am blessed to be in a field where we have many memorable cases. My patients can get overwhelmingly good results without much pain and suffering.

WHAT’S THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO TO YOUR EYES? Not getting them checked for things like glaucoma.

YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT: Would it be pandering to say being cited by Westchester Magazine as a top doctor? But seriously, it would be when I was able to open the Eye Surgery Center of Westchester in 2000. It’s the only single-specialty ambulatory surgery center devoted to surgery of the eye.

ANY HOBBIES OR SPECIAL INTERESTS? I’m very interested in sports like baseball—I particularly like the Yankees—as well as photography and physical fitness. I enjoy aerobic exercise and weight training. I work out at home and at a sports club.

ROLE MODEL: Dr. Howard Gimbel of Calgary, Alberta, has been my professional role model and mentor since I first met him 18 years ago. He has always been very supportive, friendly, and helpful.

BEST ADVICE FOR PATIENTS: Have a positive outlet and regard the glass as at least half full, not half empty. A positive attitude carries the day for both the patient and the doctor.