Department of Ophthalmology
Steven M. Podos, M.D.
Dr. Steven M. Podos is internationally recognized as a world authority in the management of glaucoma. Appointed Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and The Mount Sinai Hospital in 1975, and Chair Emeritus as of July 1, 2005, he has created a complete interdisciplinary center comprising all aspects of the visual sciences. He continues in his role as Professor and Chair Emeritus orchestrating clinical and basic science research programs, all while providing state-of-the-art vision care. His success in facilitating the collaborative efforts among the Department's clinicians and researchers, and with those in other departments, has placed Mount Sinai's Department of Ophthalmology in the ranks of the world's most influential vision care centers. A native New Yorker raised in a family of eyecare professionals, Dr. Podos decided early on that he wanted to devote himself to an academic and research career. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School. After a medical internship at the University of Utah, Dr. Podos served his ophthalmology residency and fellowship at Barnes Hospital, Washington University School of Medicine under the tutelage of Dr. Bernard Becker. Subsequently, he was appointed Clinical Associate in the Ophthalmology Branch at the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness of the National Institutes of Health. By 1969 he had received a faculty appointment as Assistant Professor at the Washington University School of Medicine, where he quickly rose to the rank of full Professor. In 1975, he became Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Director of the Department of Ophthalmology at The Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Podos has served on numerous editorial boards including those of The American Journal of Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, of which he was the editor-in-chief for five years. The many leadership positions Dr. Podos has held include the presidency of both The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology and the organization of all U.S. Chairs of Departments of Ophthalmology, on which he served for 10 years as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. He served for many years on the Board of Directors of the National Society to Prevent Blindness, the predecessor to Prevent Blindness America. At Mount Sinai, he has served on many major committees of both the School of Medicine and the Hospital, including a tenure as President of the Medical Board. He helped found The Alcon Research Institute, and participated for many years on the Advisory Panel of Ophthalmology for US Pharmacopeia and the Research Scientific Advisory Board of Fight for Sight, Inc. Dr. Podos has published more than 280 articles in peer review journals, has been the principal investigator or co-investigator in eight NIH grants, and is the editor of a ten-volume Textbook of Ophthalmology. He has presented well over 100 guest and named lectures and has received the Weisenfeld Award from ARVO and the Jacobi Medallion from Mount Sinai. He has established several patents for methods of reducing intraocular pressure and treating glaucoma. Dr. Podos has trained a generation of ophthalmologists. Amongst his former residents and fellows, some are now professors, chairmen, and vice-chairs of their own departments, and hundreds of his former students have gone on to be members of academic institutions. Steven M. Podos, M.D. Tel: (212) 241-0939 Dr. Podos sees glaucoma patients on a consultation basis only. He requires a letter from the ophthalmologist who is presently treating you, including the reason for the consultation and all historical and present pertinent information about your glaucoma. Visual fields should be included whenever possible. Your ophthalmologist should send your information to Dr. Podos at the above address and it must be in receipt prior to scheduling your appointment. You may check to see if your materials have been received by calling the appointment desk at (212) 241-0939. Dr. Podos schedules patients Tuesday mornings only. Generally, it is a long visit, requiring several hours. Visual fields will be performed, and patients new to the practice have photographic and digital imaging studies done. Your eyes may be dilated, so bringing sunglasses is suggested. We ask that you bring all medications you might be using at this time. The office is located at 17 East 102nd Street, between 5th and Madison Avenues, on the 8th floor. At the conclusion of your consultation, a full report will be sent to your ophthalmologist who will then resume your care. Subsequent appointments to see Dr. Podos will be decided upon by your ophthalmologist and Dr. Podos. We look forward to being of service to you. |