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Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD

(2 Ratings)

Specializes in: Legal Medicine and General Ophthalmology

University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (1992)

Professional interests include: anisocoria, diabetic retinopathy, electroretinogram (ERG), and more.

7503 Surratts Road
Clinton, MD 20735

(301) 868-8000

Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD is a legal medicine specialist in Clinton, MD specializing in legal medicine and general ophthalmology. He graduated from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1992 and has 32 years of experience. Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD is affiliated with MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, MedStar Health and TELAHUN, SHRADER AND RIVERA, MD.

Office Locations

Address:

7503 Surratts Road
Clinton, MD 20735

Address:

9131 Piscataway Road Suite 450
Clinton, MD 20735

Some issues Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD can help you with:

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)

Dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR, is a surgical procedure used to bypass a blocked tear duct.

Normally, the tears that constantly bathe the eyes are drained through two tiny holes in the eyelid, where they run through a duct into the nose. This tear duct can become clogged or blocked, causing tears to back up and leading to watery eyes. Common causes of tear duct blockages include trauma, a facial tumor, and inflammation due to certain medical conditions, but usually the cause is not known. Clogged tear ducts are especially common in young children. If the blockage is permanent and located lower in the duct, near the nose, DCR may be performed to create a bypass and allow tears to drain freely again.

During DCR surgery, a small hole is made in the bone and tissue between the upper part of the tear duct and the nasal passage. Usually, a tiny plastic tube called a stent is placed into the opening to protect it and keep it open during healing. DCR may be performed through an open incision on the upper cheek near the nose, or it may be performed endoscopically using tiny instruments that are passed through the nostril. Open surgery is more common, and has a slightly higher success rate, although endoscopic surgery causes less pain and bleeding during recovery. DCR is able to correct the blockage and watering eyes in nearly 95% of cases.

The surgery itself takes only about half an hour. It is usually done under general anesthesia, which may require a short hospital stay while patients recover. Small amounts of bleeding from the nose are not uncommon for the first 24 hours, and bruising and swelling are expected for the first two weeks. Don't be alarmed if the eye continues to water at first. Swelling in the area due to surgery can cause the eye to water, but this should go away as patients heal.

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.

capsulotomy	15
diagnostic imaging	32
doctor visit	92
eye procedures	4020
injections	296
laser treatment	14
photocoagulation	80
ultrasound (sonogram)	143

**Gender**
Male	375
Female	652

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	335
Black	609
Hispanic	40
Asian	26
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	464
From 75 to 84	329
85 and over	139
Less than 65	95

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	9
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	57
Dementia	10
Cancer	10

capsulotomy	19
diagnostic imaging	26
doctor visit	81
eye procedures	4282
injections	333
laser treatment	18
photocoagulation	76
ultrasound (sonogram)	111

**Gender**
Male	391
Female	661

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	320
Black	647
Hispanic	44
Asian	23
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	488
From 75 to 84	337
85 and over	134
Less than 65	93

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	10
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	6
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	58
Dementia	9
Cancer	10

capsulotomy	19
diagnostic imaging	25
doctor visit	590
eye procedures	4356
injections	450
laser treatment	18
photocoagulation	98
ultrasound (sonogram)	72

**Gender**
Male	830
Female	1380

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	664
Black	1380
Hispanic	88
Asian	54
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	1052
From 75 to 84	722
85 and over	272
Less than 65	164

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	9
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	59
Dementia	10
Cancer	12

capsulotomy	10
diagnostic imaging	20
doctor visit	810
eye procedures	4682
injections	477
laser treatment	53
photocoagulation	65
ultrasound (sonogram)	86

**Gender**
Male	451
Female	724

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	328
Black	740
Hispanic	54
Asian	36
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	571
From 75 to 84	367
85 and over	137
Less than 65	100

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	9
Chronic Kidney Disease	43
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	4
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	59
Dementia	9
Cancer	11

diagnostic imaging	20
doctor visit	134
eye procedures	4928
injections	376
photocoagulation	87
ultrasound (sonogram)	68

**Gender**
Male	417
Female	709

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	310
Black	718
Hispanic	49
Asian	28
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	519
From 75 to 84	365
85 and over	162
Less than 65	80

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	9
Chronic Kidney Disease	48
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	58
Dementia	11
Cancer	13

capsulotomy	20
diagnostic imaging	40
doctor visit	82
eye procedures	4771
injections	410
laser treatment	19
photocoagulation	70
ultrasound (sonogram)	75

**Gender**
Male	414
Female	698

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	317
Black	692
Hispanic	39
Asian	37
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	506
From 75 to 84	366
85 and over	160
Less than 65	80

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	72
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	9
Chronic Kidney Disease	50
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	59
Dementia	10
Cancer	11

capsulotomy	11
diagnostic imaging	29
doctor visit	107
eye procedures	5285
injections	499
laser treatment	10
photocoagulation	114
ultrasound (sonogram)	86

**Gender**
Male	461
Female	753

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	343
Black	752
Hispanic	55
Asian	38
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	560
From 75 to 84	381
85 and over	177
Less than 65	96

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	10
Chronic Kidney Disease	51
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	59
Dementia	10
Cancer	12

capsulotomy	11
diagnostic imaging	36
doctor visit	143
eye procedures	4310
injections	510
laser treatment	10
photocoagulation	76
prophylaxis (preventive treatment)	11
ultrasound (sonogram)	63

**Gender**
Male	378
Female	627

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	258
Black	650
Hispanic	44
Asian	33
Other	20
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	462
From 75 to 84	321
85 and over	154
Less than 65	68

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	9
Chronic Kidney Disease	51
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	5
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	60
Dementia	10
Cancer	12

capsulotomy	40
diagnostic imaging	88
doctor visit	5178
eye procedures	6210
injections	1316
laser treatment	39
photocoagulation	98
prophylaxis (preventive treatment)	13
ultrasound (sonogram)	143

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD treated as a legal medicine specialist in Clinton, MD were eye procedures, injections, ultrasound (sonogram) and photocoagulation.

capsulotomy	18
diagnostic imaging	35
doctor visit	802
eye procedures	4766
injections	518
laser treatment	23
photocoagulation	85
prophylaxis (preventive treatment)	12
ultrasound (sonogram)	95

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD.

**Gender**
Male	371
Female	620

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	618
Asian / Pacific Islander	27
Non-Hispanic White	287
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	41
Other	2

**Age**
75 to 84	318
85 and over	133
Less than 65	77
65 to 74	462

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	7
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	7
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	46
Atrial Fibrillation	6
Cancer	9
Dementia	7

Education & Training

Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD graduated from University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine in 1992. He completed residency at Washington Hospital Center. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology and has a state license in Maryland.

Medical School: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine (1992)

Residency: Washington Hospital Center (1996)

Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology

Licensed In: Maryland

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center

MedStar Health

TELAHUN, SHRADER AND RIVERA, MD

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on 2 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Clinton, MD.

4.5

Overall Rating

(2 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Allergan Inc.	$908 RESTASIS $377	LUMIGAN $239	OZURDEX $192	COMBIGAN $100
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	$145 INVELTYS $121	EYSUVIS $24
AbbVie Inc.	$140 DURYSTA $70	OZURDEX $70
Oyster Point Pharma, Inc.	$125 TYRVAYA $125
Alcon Laboratories Inc	$125 Simbrinza $91	Durezol $19	ORA $15
Other	$593 Eylea $72	VYZULTA $57	XIIDRA $50	Bromsite $49	PROLENSA $36	Other $329

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$1,968
Education	$49
Gift	$19

Biography

Dr. Pedro Rivera-Velazquez's medical specialty is general ophthalmology and legal medicine. His clinical interests include nystagmus, ectropion (outward-turned eyelid), and eye floater. After completing medical school at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, he performed his residency at Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Rivera-Velazquez is professionally affiliated with MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center.

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Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, 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. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, 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. Pedro M. Rivera-Velazquez, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

Other Providers in Clinton, MD