About
Personal Statement
Welcome! During your visit to the Department of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell, our team is dedicated to providing you with outstanding eye care. Many of my patients have glaucoma or are at risk for glaucoma. In addition, I care for patients with general eye conditions such as cataracts. My greatest goal is to preserve and restore vision while providing personalized and compassionate eye care. I look forward to meeting with you.
Specialties and Expertise
Expertise
- Glaucoma
- Cataract Surgery
- Laser Trabeculoplasty
- Laser Iridotomy
- Surgery For Glaucoma
- Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
- Glaucoma Suspect
- Clinical Research
Biography
Sarah H. Van Tassel, M.D. is a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and Director of the Glaucoma Service and Glaucoma Fellowship at Weill Cornell Medicine Ophthalmology. Dr. Van Tassel specializes in glaucoma evaluation and treatment, including medical management, laser, and surgical procedures. She also performs cataract surgery and is up-to-date on the latest advances in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
A native of Missouri, Dr. Van Tassel graduated summa cum laude from Duke University. She attended Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, where she also completed her residency in ophthalmology. Dr. Van Tassel then returned to Duke for a fellowship in glaucoma where she received specialized training in trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage device implantation, laser trabeculoplasty and iridotomy, complex cataract extraction, laser-assisted cataract extraction, implantation of astigmatic (toric) and multi-focal intraocular lenses, and microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).
Dr. Van Tassel’s research focuses on the latest advances in ocular imaging and their applications to personalized diagnosis and management of glaucoma. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences, and she has received several academic awards including the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellowship.
Dr. Van Tassel is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Glaucoma Society, Women in Ophthalmology, and additional societies. She is a founding member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Resident Self-Assessment Committee, through which she develops educational materials for ophthalmologists-in-training.
She is committed to providing personalized glaucoma and cataract care supplemented by the newest technologies, instruments, and techniques. She is happy to provide second opinions for glaucoma and asks that all available records be obtained by the patient and brought to the consultation appointment.
Dr. Van Tassel is currently accepting new patients. Appointments can be made by calling 646-962-2020.
Research
Honors and Awards
Honors and Awards
Mentoring for the Advancement of Physician Scientists (MAPS) Award, American Glaucoma Society
Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellow
Resident Research Award, Weill Cornell Medical College Department of Ophthalmology
Distinguished Housestaff Award, Weill Cornell Medical Center Alumni Council
Resident Achievement Award, Weill Cornell Medical College Department of Ophthalmology
EyeWiki Residents and Fellows in Training Contest Winner, American Academy of Ophthalmology
Edward Norton Prize in Ophthalmology, Weill Cornell Medical College
G. Thomas Shires II Prize in Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Henry Adelman Memorial Award for Excellence in Geriatric Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College
Distinguished Honors Thesis, Duke University
Jim Bernstein Health Policy Scholar, Duke University
Phi Beta Kappa
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., Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, 2012
- A.B., Duke 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.