Fifth Avenue Associates - Our Doctors

Andrew P. Schwartz, MD

Dr. Andrew Schwartz, director of refractive surgery and laser vision correction at 5th Avenue Associates since 2006, is at the forefront of cataract and refractive surgery as well as comprehensive ophthalmology.  He offers a wide variety of surgical and non-surgical interventions for the correction of various refractive errors.  Over the years Dr. Schwartz has been selected by his peers as a "New York Superdoctor," awarded to the top five percent of New York physicians. In addition, he has also been selected as one of "America's Top Ophthalmologists", by the Consumer Research Council of America.

Dr. Schwartz performs bladeless LASIK with the Intralase Femtosecond Laser System and Customvue personalized laser vision correction (iLASIK). He also performs bladeless surface ablation, no-stitch cataract surgery, laser-assisted INTACS implantation and various other advanced procedures. Dr. Schwartz is among the first surgeons in Manhattan certified to implant the Restor multifocal intraocular lens and the Acrysof toric intraocular lens for correction of astigmatism. In addition he is on the cutting edge of refractive lens exchange and lens-based refractive surgery.

Dr. Schwartz received his bachelor of science degree cum laude from Tufts University and went on to spend a year working on treatment efficacy research at McLean Hospital of Harvard Medical School. Dr. Schwartz received his medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, graduating at the top of his class, having received an Alban Scholar's Grant. After his internship at the University of Illinois' Masonic Hospital, he then went on to complete his residency in ophthalmology at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, his last year serving as chief resident.

Dr. Schwartz is a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and an active fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the New York State Medical Society, New York County Medical Society and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Schwartz is a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology and is fully board certified. In addition he is a clinical instructor at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Elmhurst General Hospital where he is involved in teaching medical students and residents in medical and surgical ophthalmology. He has also traveled internationally, instructing other ophthalmologists in cataract and refractive surgery.

Dr. Schwartz has a strong interest in research and has published several peer reviewed articles, book chapters and conference presentations in the field of ophthalmology and refractive surgery. His research on intrastromal corneal rings received the Investigator's Award at the Contact Lens and Eyecare Symposium and was selected as an "emerging trend and hot topic" at the annual symposium of the Association for Research in Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (ARVO). He conducted and published one of the only ten-year long-term studies on INTACS implantation. He has also authored studies on cataract surgery, lens inplantation and blepharitis. 

Dr. Schwartz's practice focus is adult and pediatric comprehensive ophthalmology, medical and surgical management of glaucoma, as well as advanced cataract surgery, anterior segment reconstruction, LASIK, PRK, PTK and pterygium excision with amniotic membrane grafting. In addition, he has extensive experience dealing with severe ocular trauma. His passion within the field is to give people independence from glasses and contact lenses through a variety of modalities. He prides himself on his conservative approach and excellent outcomes.

Publications and Academic Presentations: 

Schulhof, J, Schwartz, AP, Elahi, E. Post operative symptoms following topical clear cornea cataract surgery. Currently in submission.

Lo, C, Elahi,E, Schwartz, AP. (May 2011) An evaluation of the effect of intraocular lens iatrogenic surface aberrations on patient visual acuity. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Schulhof, J, Schwartz, AP, Elahi, E. (May 2010) Post operative symptoms following topical clear cornea cataract surgery. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Su, Daniel, Schwartz, AP, Elahi, E. (May 2009) Use of  monopolar radiofrequency in treating blepharitis and associated meibomian gland dysfunction. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Saeed, AI Schwartz, AP Limsukon, Superior Vena Cava Syndrome:A rare cause of conjunctival suffusion. Mt Sinai J Med. 2006 Dec;73(8):1082-5.

Schwartz, AP, Tinio, BO, Esmail, F, Babayan, A, Naikoo, HN, Asbell, PA Ten Year Follow-up of 360 degrees Intrastromal Corneal Rings for Myopia. J Refract Surg. 2006 Nov;22(9):878-83.

Schwartz, AP, Tinio, BO, Naikoo, HN, Babayan, A Asbell, PA  Intrastromal Corneal Ring Implantation (360º ring) for myopia: A 5 year follow-up. Eye and Contact Lens. 2006 May;32(3):121-3.

Schwartz, AP, Esmail, F, Naikoo, HN, Babayan, A, Tinio, BO, Asbell, PA. (May 2005) Intrastromal Corneal Rings for Myopia: A ten year follow-up on visual outcomes. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Schwartz, AP, Naikoo, HN, Haji, SA, Asbell, PA. (January 2005) Intrastromal Corneal Rings for Myopia: A five year follow-up on visual outcomes. Poster presented at the annual Contact Lens and Eyecare Symposium, San Diego, California.

Eidt, SC, Schwartz, AP, Dauzvardis, M, Goldberg, K, Elner, VM, Ahmad, AZ. (May 2002) Transcaruncular approach for removal of orbital floor: A cadaveric model. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

McDonnell JF, Ahmad AZ, Snyder ED, Schwartz AP. (May 2001) Efficacy of supramid suture for repair of congenital ptosis. Poster submitted to the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.