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Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD

Accepting New Patients

(Edward C. Lai, M.D.)

(No ratings)

Specializes in: Ophthalmology (Eye Disease)

Tufts University School of Medicine

Professional interests include: corneal surgery, cataracts, dry eye syndrome, and more.

1305 York Avenue 11th Floor
New York, NY 10021

(646) 962-2020

Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD is an ophthalmologist in New York, NY specializing in ophthalmology (eye disease). He graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian, Laser Vision Center and WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL.

Office Locations

Address:

1305 York Avenue 11th Floor
New York, NY 10021

Address:

1305 York Avenue 12th Floor
New York, NY 10065

Unable to locate address.

Address:

1305 York Avenue 11th Floor
New York, NY 10021

Some issues Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD can help you with:

LASIK

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a surgical procedure that improves vision by permanently correcting refractive vision errors. Refractive vision errors are sight problems (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism) that typically require patients to wear contact lenses or glasses. Nearsightedness (myopia) causes blurred vision at a distance, while farsightedness (hyperopia) makes objects that are up close appear blurry. Astigmatism results in blurred vision at both near and far distances. Each eye is either nearsighted or farsighted, and can additionally have astigmatism. These refractive vision errors develop from imperfections in the curvature of the eye, which LASIK fixes through the use of a laser. The laser changes the shape of the eye by cutting away tissue from the cornea (clear outer layer of the eye).

LASIK is generally considered an elective procedure (not medically necessary) since patients can wear glasses or contact lenses instead of undergoing LASIK. Nevertheless, many people still elect to undergo LASIK to have better vision without having to wear corrective lenses. Certain professionals, such as pilots, military members, firefighters, and athletes, might particularly benefit from LASIK.

Ophthalmologists (eye doctors) evaluate patients before surgery, measuring the cornea and checking for any eye irregularities that would disqualify patients from LASIK. A special eye scanner is used to create a map of the cornea. This map guides the surgeon in developing an individualized LASIK treatment plan. Once approved for LASIK, contact-wearers are advised to switch to glasses for the three weeks leading up to their surgery.

LASIK is a brief procedure, lasting for about half an hour, depending on the state of a patient's eyes and the corneal reshaping required. Patients lie down on a reclining chair and have numbing eye drops applied to one or both eyes to eliminate pain and discomfort during the procedure. While the eyes are held open by a device, the eye surgeon raises a fixation light where patients direct their eyes. The surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to cut a precise circular incision in the cornea's surface. The surgeon then manually folds back the corneal flap to access the stroma (inner cornea).

An excimer laser is then used to remove certain amounts of corneal tissue. For patients with farsightedness, the laser cuts tissue on the outer regions of the cornea, making the central cornea more prominent. For patients with nearsightedness, the opposite is done; central corneal tissue is removed while the outer tissue is left alone, flattening the eye. In patients with astigmatism, the laser is used to even out the surface of the corneal tissue, making the eye more spherical. When the lasering process is complete, the ophthalmologist folds the corneal flap to its regular position. The flap quickly begins to heal and naturally reattach itself to the eye.

LASIK patients need someone to drive them home from the procedure and cannot drive for the following 24 hours. Recovery from LASIK lasts about five days. Patients typically notice improved vision within a day or two of surgery. Prescription eye drops are given to patients to alleviate discomfort and promote eye healing. During this recovery time, patients must be incredibly careful not to touch or rub their eyes. Ophthalmologists often instruct patients to wear protective glasses during the day and night to prevent potential damage from eye rubbing.

LASIK can improve the experience of certain activities such as swimming or reading, and in some cases, LASIK can be a life-changing procedure for those with severe refractive vision errors. LASIK may also save patients money by eliminating the recurring need for updated corrective lenses.

doctor visit	12
eye procedures	773

**Gender**
Male	165
Female	272

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	212
Black	109
Hispanic	78
Asian	22
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	163
From 75 to 84	113
85 and over	38
Less than 65	123

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	51
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	39
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	37
Dementia	8
Cancer	9

capsulotomy	11
doctor visit	37
eye procedures	1086
laser treatment	11

**Gender**
Male	224
Female	382

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	320
Black	109
Hispanic	120
Asian	38
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	252
From 75 to 84	164
85 and over	60
Less than 65	130

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	33
Dementia	7
Cancer	9

doctor visit	34
eye procedures	1591

**Gender**
Male	630
Female	1036

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	906
Black	286
Hispanic	256
Asian	140
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	810
From 75 to 84	416
85 and over	146
Less than 65	294

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	35
Dementia	7
Cancer	11

doctor visit	32
eye procedures	1542

**Gender**
Male	343
Female	545

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	478
Black	158
Hispanic	149
Asian	61
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	426
From 75 to 84	239
85 and over	85
Less than 65	138

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	47
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	32
Dementia	8
Cancer	11

capsulotomy	12
doctor visit	28
eye procedures	1952
laser treatment	12

**Gender**
Male	411
Female	611

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	575
Black	160
Hispanic	145
Asian	95
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	485
From 75 to 84	297
85 and over	93
Less than 65	147

Hypertension	56
High Cholesterol	39
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	31
Dementia	9
Cancer	14

capsulotomy	22
doctor visit	63
eye procedures	1786
laser treatment	22

**Gender**
Male	415
Female	615

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	627
Black	135
Hispanic	118
Asian	101
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	491
From 75 to 84	334
85 and over	98
Less than 65	107

Hypertension	53
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	29
Dementia	9
Cancer	13

capsulotomy	28
doctor visit	32
eye procedures	2212
laser treatment	28

**Gender**
Male	464
Female	727

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	757
Black	135
Hispanic	136
Asian	87
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	557
From 75 to 84	419
85 and over	111
Less than 65	104

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	58
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	28
Dementia	7
Cancer	14

capsulotomy	11
eye procedures	1518
laser treatment	11

**Gender**
Male	360
Female	556

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	600
Black	109
Hispanic	83
Asian	65
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	439
From 75 to 84	326
85 and over	77
Less than 65	74

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	26
Dementia	8
Cancer	15

capsulotomy	79
doctor visit	125
eye procedures	4027
laser treatment	79

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD treated as an ophthalmologist in New York, NY were eye procedures, capsulotomy and laser treatment.

capsulotomy	27
doctor visit	46
eye procedures	1833
laser treatment	27

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD.

**Gender**
Male	301
Female	474

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	120
Asian / Pacific Islander	60
Non-Hispanic White	447
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	108
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	230
85 and over	70
Less than 65	111
65 to 74	362

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	44
High Cholesterol	40
Stroke	3
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	16
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	10
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	25
Atrial Fibrillation	6
Cancer	9
Dementia	6

Education & Training

Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine. He completed residency at Tufts University Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Ophthalmology and has a state license in New York.

Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine

Residency: Tufts University Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: Ophthalmology

Licensed In: New York

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

NewYork-Presbyterian

Laser Vision Center

WEILL MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CORNELL

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: GHI, VNSNY CHOICE, Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Oxford Health Plans, Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP), Aetna - NYP, AETNA, United Healthcare, Health Insurance Plan of New York (HIP), Group Health Incorporated (GHI), Aetna, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, United Healthcare and Oxford Health Plans.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

GHI

VNSNY CHOICE

Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield

Oxford Health Plans

Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP)

Aetna - NYP

AETNA

United Healthcare

Health Insurance Plan of New York (HIP)

Group Health Incorporated (GHI)

Aetna

Empire BlueCross BlueShield

United Healthcare

Oxford Health Plans

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Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Allergan Inc.	$4,950 RESTASIS $4,707	LUMIGAN $19	BOTOX $14	$211
Alcon Vision LLC	$975 AcrySof $199	AcrySof IQ VIVITY $104	$671
Alcon Laboratories Inc	$712 Cataract Equipment $273	AcrySof $204	CataractEquipment $171	Simbrinza $24	ORA $22	Other $19
Alcon Research Ltd	$620 $620
Abbott Laboratories	$179 Optics $179
Other	$429 ISTENT TRABECULAR MICRO-BYPASS STENT SYSTEM $125	OMNI $118	XIIDRA $95	LOTEMAX GEL $28	Implantable Miniature Telescope $25	Other $38

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$3,200
Food and Beverage	$2,723
Travel and Lodging	$1,942

Biography

Dr. Edward Lai is a physician who specializes in general ophthalmology and eye disease ophthalmology (corneal and external diseases). Dr. Lai is especially interested in cataract surgery. He is affiliated with NewYork-Presbyterian. Yext reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in New York, NY. He attended medical school at Tufts University School of Medicine.

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Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Edward Chi Lai, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Insurance Information

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

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