About
Personal Statement
Never has the sense of sight been more important than in our complex 21st century world. Here at the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Ophthalmology, our team offers compassionate, personalized eye care to help our patients and their families navigate through vulnerable and uncertain times in their lives. As a retina specialist within the department, I am committed to delivering the latest evidence-based vitreoretinal medical and surgical care to all of my patients, with a particular emphasis on cutting-edge retinal imaging and surgical techniques. Some of the conditions I see most commonly include macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy, inherited retinal diseases, medication toxicity, retinal detachment, epiretinal membranes, and macular holes. I never take for granted that you have placed a great deal of confidence in me and I look forward to meeting with you. Together we can address the challenges of caring for your sight.
Specialties and Expertise
Expertise
- Retina
- Retina and Vitreous Surgery
- Retinal Detachment
- Macular Degeneration
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Macular Edema
- Macular Pucker
- Epiretinal Membrane
- Macular Hole
- Endophthalmitis
- Retinopathy of Prematurity
- Retinal Imaging
- Clinical Research
- Retinitis
- Suture Fixation of Intraocular Lens (ILO)
Biography
Dr. Kovacs is a board-certified retina specialist and Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Kovacs specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of vitreoretinal diseases, including conditions such as retinal detachment, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusions, epiretinal membranes, macular holes, trauma, endophthalmitis, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal degenerations and dystrophies, and secondary intraocular lenses.
Dr. Kovacs has lived his whole life in the Northeast, growing up on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor line. A native of New Jersey, he graduated cum laude from Harvard College. He received his M.D. with distinction in clinical research from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where he was also elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha academic honor society and a recipient of the Jesse S Weissberg Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
Dr. Kovacs then completed his Internship Training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He completed Residency Training in Ophthalmology at Yale School of Medicine / Yale New Haven Hospital, followed by Fellowship Training in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College / New York – Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Kovacs was selected to serve as Chief Resident during the final year of his residency at Yale, and received multiple awards during his training including Yale ophthalmology resident research awards in 2017 and 2018, New York Academy of Medicine resident research award in 2017, and the Yale Department of Ophthalmology Marvin Sears Award recognizing clinical and surgical excellence.
Dr. Kovacs is actively engaged in clinical and basic science research in retinal diseases and has published approximately 25 peer-reviewed research articles. He has authored several textbook chapters and has regularly presents his research at national and international meetings. Dr. Kovacs also serves as scientific reviewer to several major ophthalmology journals.
Dr. Kovacs is also actively involved in resident and fellow education and serves as coordinator of retina education for ophthalmology residents at Weill Cornell.
Dr. Kovacs is currently accepting new patients. Appointments can be made by calling 646-962-2020.
Research
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
Marvin Sears Award for Clinical and Surgical Excellence, Yale Department of Ophthalmology, 2018
ASCRS Foundation Research Grant Recipient, 2017
Annual Resident Research Award, Yale Department of Ophthalmology, 2017 and 2018
Resident Award for Academic Excellence, Yale Department of Ophthalmology, 2017 and 2018
New York Academy of Medicine: Ophthalmology Resident Research Day, Best Poster 2017
Connecticut Society of Eye Physicians: Ophthalmology Resident Research Poster- 2nd place, 2017
American Academy of Ophthalmology Advocacy Ambassador, 2017
Multiple Patient Experience Recognition Awards, Yale New Haven Hospital, 2015-2018
Graduate with Distinction in Clinical Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 2014
Jesse S. Weissberg Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 2010-2014
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 2013
Albert Einstein College of Medicine International Project Fellowship, 2011
Credentials
Clinical and Academic Positions
- Assistant Attending Ophthalmologist - NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
- Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University
Education and Training
- M.D., Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, 2014
- B.A., Harvard University, 2008
Insurance
Insurance Plans Accepted
The following represents most of the managed care plans accepted by this doctor. If your insurance carrier does not appear here please contact the doctor’s office as they may have individual contracts not included on this site.
* indicates this doctor is no longer accepting new patients with this insurance plan.
- AETNA - HMO
- AETNA - Medicare
- AETNA - PPO
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee Managed Care Plan
- Aetna Weill Cornell Employee PPO Plan
- Aetna-NYP - EPO/POS
- Affinity Access
- Affinity Health Plan
- CIGNA
- Emblem Select Care
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Blue Access
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - EPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - HMO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - Mediblue (Senior)
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield - PPO
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield HealthPlus - CHP
- Fidelis Care
- GHI - CBP
- * Health First
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP)
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicaid
- Health Insurance Plan of NY (HIP) - Medicare
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Oxford Health Plans - Freedom
- Oxford Health Plans - Liberty
- Oxford Health Plans - Medicare Advantage
- Oxford Health Plans - Metro/Core/Charter
- Rockefeller University - Trustmark
- United Empire
- United Healthcare
- United Healthcare - Community Plan
- United Healthcare - Medicare
- United Healthcare Compass
- VNSNY CHOICE - HMO
- WellCare of NY
- WorldWide Medical
Locations and Appointments
External Relationships
External Relationships
Relationships and collaborations with for-profit and not-for profit organizations are of vital importance to our faculty because these exchanges of scientific information foster innovation. As experts in their fields, WCM physicians and scientists are sought after by many organizations to consult and educate. WCM and its faculty make this information available to the public, thus creating a transparent environment.