Departments

The recurrent seizures that herald epilepsy come from sudden, temporary disturbances in the normal function of the brain’s electrical system. While many people with epilepsy can be successfully treated with anti-epileptic drugs that provide partial or complete control over seizures, many do not respond to medication, or even a combination of multiple medications. As a result, they may experience catastrophic epileptic seizures daily, making any semblance of a normal life impossible. At Yale, we offer promising options for many of these patients. Our experts are world-renowned, specializing in the treatment of new-onset epilepsy in children and adults, as well as medically intractable seizure disorders. Our Epilepsy and Seizure Center was one of the first of its kind, and we continue to lead the way as one of the most advanced and active programs in the world. More epilepsy surgeons around the country received their training at Yale than at any other program in the country. We see both children and adults for second opinions, diagnostic evaluation, and first-time seizures. We provide treatment recommendations for all types and severity of epilepsy or possible epilepsy. Our multidisciplinary team includes epileptologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, neuroradiologists, neuropathologists, and psychiatrists. Nurses, technicians, technical staff, and administrative staff are also key players in patient care.Our neurologists work in collaboration with neurosurgeons and diagnostic radiologists to deliver intensive and innovative therapeutic and diagnostic services for patients with varying forms and degrees of seizures and epilepsy. Specialists perform intensive audiovisual and EEG monitoring for diagnosis and localization of the affected area. We evaluate our patients in phases to precisely coordinate electrophysiology, cognitive testing, medical history, and physical and neurological examination with advanced imaging using MRI, SPECT, and PET techniques.

Disorders of the cornea, the front layer of the eye responsible for focusing, range from nearsightedness to damage so severe it requires transplants. Our specialists are skilled in surgeries ranging from outpatient procedures to correct nearsightedness to corneal transplants. We also perform operations to repair dry eye and tear disorders, remove benign and malignant tumors, treat scarring, and address many other conditions and injuries. We employ cutting-edge diagnostic tools and surgical procedures. We are dedicated to using our collective knowledge and expertise to repair and improve our patients’ eyesight.

Uveitis is a form of eye inflammation. Because inflammatory eye diseases sometimes have more than one cause, treating them often requires a team approach. Our doctors understand this and work closely with pediatricians, internists, rheumatologists, and other physicians to identify the best treatment for each patient.

Disorders of the retina and vitreous, the gel-like substance that helps maintain the shape of the eye, are the leading causes of blindness in infancy, young adulthood, and older age. We specialize in the evaluation and treatment of vitreoretinal disease and retinal detachment. Our specialists offer cutting-edge treatments, including laser treatment for retinal disorders and photodynamic therapy for macular degeneration. Our surgical expertise includes surgical repair of macular holes, removal of lens fragments, and surgery for endophthalmitis, an inflammation of the eye that sometimes occurs as a complication following cataract surgery. Conditions we treat include: Cystoid macular edema Diabetic retinopathy Macular degeneration Pars planitis Retinal degeneration and disease Retinopathy of prematurity Sickle cell retinopathy Inflammatory conditions, such as uveitis Intraocular infections and tumors Ocular trauma Retinitis pigmentosa and other inherited retinal dystrophies

The Yale Multiple Sclerosis Center is a multidisciplinary service that evaluates and treats patients with suspected or diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic central nervous system disease that causes symptoms ranging from numbness to weakness. Up to 10% of MS patients are diagnosed before the age of 18. The disease has different effects in these younger patients whose brains are still developing. The Yale Multiple Sclerosis Center offers streamlined resources including sophisticated brain imaging, pharmacy, an infusion center, and phlebotomy. A specialized nurse is available to answer questions about disease-modifying therapies. Social work and nutrition consultants are available. In addition, there are opportunities to participate in MS clinical trials, research studies, and regularly scheduled clinical care conferences. Pediatric neurologist, Naila Makhani, MD, MPH, evaluates and treats these younger patients. She has significant experience in MS, receives funding from Race to Erase MS and participates in clinical trials for MS therapies in children. Dr. Makhani sees children under 12 years of age at the Long Wharf Medical Center (1 Long Wharf Drive, New Haven) and children 13 and older at the Yale Multiple Schlerosis Center (6 Devine St. in North Haven)—a 10-minute drive from the main Yale Medical Center campus.

Children are susceptible to all eye diseases that occur in adults, as well as additional diseases. We promote the science and art of pediatric eye care to improve the visual health of children. Our expertise includes evaluating and treating amblyopia, strabismus, double vision, and other ocular motility disorders that affect the muscles that control eye movement in children and adults. We focus on children’s eye health through prevention. We also provide care for adult patients with newly developed eye muscle problems related to illness, head trauma, or residual problems from childhood strabismus. We are the only pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus group in southern New England located within an academic medical center, providing our patients access to cutting-edge care and research to improve the outcomes of pediatric eye disease.

Conditions of the eyelid, tear drain system, and orbit—the tissue and bone surrounding the eye—can be painful, debilitating, and vision-impairing. Yale ophthalmologists provide first-class care for patients with these issues collectively known as oculoplastic and orbital conditions. We have the expertise and experience to treat a wide range of eyelid problems, including drooping eye, eyelids turned in and out, and misdirected eyelashes. We also see patients with eyelid growths and inflammations such as infections, styes, benign growths, and minor skin cancers. In addition, our physicians diagnose and treat conditions and diseases of the tear duct and drain systems, as well as trauma, tumors, and loss of an eye.

At Yale, our ophthalmologists offer patients a unique combination of world-class clinical care and cutting-edge research. We provide comprehensive eye care, from routine exams to diagnosis and treatment of the most complex and challenging eye conditions and diseases. Our patients have access to world-renowned subspecialty expertise both within ophthalmology and other areas of medicine.

Our specialists fit and provide contact lenses. Whether the needs are straightforward or specialized, our doctors and staff will find the right contact lenses for our patients. We offer the latest materials and designs, customizable to accommodate a wide variety of problems, including astigmatism, corneal transplants, dry eye, and corneal scars or irregularities after trauma. We fit contact lenses made from a wide selection of materials and to diverse specifications. With the aid of state-of the art technology, we are able to fit the following lenses: Silicone hydrogel Toric Multifocal Gas-permeable (including specialty designs) Hybrid (gas-permeable in the center with a soft outer portion) Scleral

Yale ophthalmologists are committed to addressing the most complex eye problems with vision-saving care. We provide a complete range of services that address minor problems like pink eye to major diseases and conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. We provide medical and surgical care for retinal disease, strabismus, and uveitis, as well as reconstructive and aesthetic ophthalmic plastic surgery and pediatric ophthalmology. Our patient-friendly clinic includes on-site services such as corneal topography, electrophysiologic testing, fluorescein angiography, fundus photography, lasers, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and visual fields. Our practice includes not only highly esteemed physicians, but also world-renowned researchers, which means our patients have access to the latest treatments and advances. Specialized care is offered in the following areas: Comprehensive eye care Cornea, cataract, and refractive surgery Diabetic eye care Glaucoma Neuro-ophthalmology Ocular immunology/uveitis Ocular oncology Optometry and contact lenses Orbital and reconstructive ophthalmic plastic surgery Pediatric ophthalmology Retina, macula, and vitreous diseases New injectable treatments for macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy to slow or halt vision loss Complex retina surgeries; specialized retina evaluation and care, including laser treatment for premature newborns; medical and surgical care of diabetic retinopathy and macular diseases Cataract surgery with optional premium lenses; donor and artificial corneal transplants Specialty fitting of contact lenses for aphakic adult and pediatric patients, corneal transplant patients, and keratoconus patients Complete spectrum of orbital and reconstructive ophthalmic plastic surgery and cosmetic eye surgery

An estimated three million Americans have glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness nationally and worldwide. The disease can strike anyone at any age and often has no symptoms. As a result, many people with glaucoma don’t realize they have it. At Yale, our top priority is to preserve sight. We provide world-class, comprehensive care for glaucoma, including the most severe and difficult-to-treat cases. Our internationally renowned physicians are expert in all aspects of glaucoma, from diagnosis and treatment to surgery. Our glaucoma practice is an early adopter of new technology and techniques. We were the first glaucoma specialists in the area to introduce computerized perimetry—a machine that tests all aspects of sight, including peripheral vision—and cameras that snap 3-D images of the optic nerve. Yale’s ophthalmologists employ a variety of cutting-edge techniques and treatments, including the latest in 3-D X-rays, imaging, and laser surgery.

Aging almost always means cataracts—a clouding of the lens of the eye that results in impaired vision. Luckily, surgeons can remove most cataracts in a relatively simple outpatient operation. We offer patients outpatient surgery, anesthesia eye drops, and the latest in imaging, assessment, and diagnostic tools. Our doctors are deeply committed to restoring as much sight as possible with minimal discomfort. Our ophthalmologists excel at all forms of cataract surgery, and use innovative techniques, including small-incision procedures that require no suturing, resulting in faster recovery and better vision. We specialize in cataract removal for patients with complex eye conditions, including corneal disease, glaucoma, and small pupils. Experts in a wide range of eye surgeries, our specialists routinely combine cataract removal with other procedures to minimize time in the surgical suite and speed recovery.