The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute - Hersh Vision Group

What The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute - Hersh Vision Group does

The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute (CLEI), operating commercially as the Hersh Vision Group and the CLEI Center for Keratoconus, is a physician-owned private ophthalmology and optometry practice headquartered at Glenpointe Center East in Teaneck, New Jersey. Founded in 1995 with the keratoconus subspecialty division established in 2002 as the nation's first dedicated keratoconus center, the practice serves patients with refractive error, keratoconus, cataracts, corneal disease, and complex contact lens needs across the New York metropolitan region and — via an established International & Long Distance Patients program — nationally and internationally.

Its clinical portfolio spans elective vision correction procedures (Custom LASIK, Wavelight LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, Refractive Lens Exchange, NearVision CK), keratoconus-specific treatments (multiple corneal crosslinking variants, the proprietary Corneal Tissue Addition Keratoplasty / CTAK procedure, topography-guided PRK, Intacs, laser-assisted corneal transplants), premium laser-assisted cataract surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens, and a deep specialty contact lens practice (custom scleral lenses including wavefront-guided, scan-based, and impression-based EyePrintPro designs, BostonSight PROSE devices, orthokeratology, and myopia management). The group operates four physicians — Dr. Peter Hersh, Dr. Steven Greenstein, Dr. John Gelles, and Dr. David Chu — supported by 11–50 staff using a heavy equipment fleet (Intralase femtosecond laser, Wavelight EX500 with the Alcon Contoura system, Pentacam, Galilei, Topolyzer, Zeiss Visante, Optovue RTVue, Ovitz xWAVE, Oculus Corvis, and multiple profilometers).

Revenue is generated on a professional-services basis from individually-quoted procedures rather than disclosed fee schedules, with elective cash-pay volume supplemented by financing via CareCredit and procedure costs carried partially through insurance for cataract, transplant, and medically necessary crosslinking cases. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through in-office appointments at Teaneck plus procedures at a dedicated local surgical center, with referrals driven by physician reputation, peer-reviewed research output, hundreds of lectures to the eye-care community, and award recognition including NKCF Top Doctor awards, Newsweek America's Best Optometrists 2023 (Dr. Gelles), and the role as Team Ophthalmologists for the New York Jets.

Name

The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute - Hersh Vision Group

Legal name

The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute

Website

https://vision-institute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute (Hersh Vision Group) is a Teaneck, NJ physician-owned ophthalmology and optometry practice specializing in LASIK, keratoconus treatment (including the proprietary CTAK procedure), cataract surgery, and specialty contact lens fitting, serving patients across the U.S. and internationally via a dedicated long-distance program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refractive Surgery and Keratoconus Ophthalmology Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Offices of Optometrists (621320)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Ophthalmic Goods (3851), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLAKAKAC

Ophthalmology Clinics (Medical & Surgical Eye Care)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Ophthalmology & Optometry

SECONDARYHLAHAJAK

Cornea & External Disease Surgical Devices (Keratoplasty Tools, Cross-Linking Systems, Amniotic Membrane Delivery)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Ophthalmic Devices (Vision Care & Surgical)

SECONDARYHLAHAJAE

Contact Lenses & Care Systems (Soft/RGP/Scleral Lenses; Cleaning/Disinfection Solutions)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Ophthalmic Devices (Vision Care & Surgical)

SECONDARYHLAFAIAF

Ophthalmology Surgery Centers

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Surgical Centers & Perioperative Care (ASCs)

SECONDARYHLAHAJAG

Refractive Surgery Systems (Excimer/Femtosecond Lasers, Phakic IOL Systems, Wavefront/Guidance)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Ophthalmic Devices (Vision Care & Surgical)

SECONDARYHLAKAKAF

Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Ophthalmology & Optometry

SECONDARYHLAHAJAH

Cataract Surgery Systems & IOLs (Phaco Systems, IOLs, Intraoperative Aberrometry, Viscoelastics)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Ophthalmic Devices (Vision Care & Surgical)

SECONDARYHLAHAJAA

Refractive Diagnostics & Biometry (Autorefractors, Keratometers, Topography/Tomography, A-Scan/Optical Biometry)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Medical Devices & Diagnostics/Ophthalmic Devices (Vision Care & Surgical)

SECONDARYHLAKAKAA

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Specialist Medical Practice/Ophthalmology & Optometry

SECONDARYHLAFAKAI

Vision & Ophthalmic Diagnostic Centers (Optometry/OCT/Retinal Imaging)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Diagnostic & Imaging Centers

Keywords

• Refractive surgery services
• LASIK and PRK procedures
• Keratoconus treatment
• Corneal crosslinking
• Specialty contact lens fitting

Headquarters

HQ city

Teaneck

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Vision Correction Procedures: Revenue from LASIK, PRK, All-Laser LASIK with IntraLase, INTACS, KAMRA, EVO ICL, Conductive Keratoplasty (CK), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), and Reading Vision Correction procedures performed in-office or at surgical center.
2. Keratoconus Treatment Procedures: Revenue from keratoconus-specific treatments including corneal crosslinking (CXL), Corneal Tissue Addition Keratoplasty (CTAK), topography-guided PRK, Intacs, laser-assisted corneal transplants, and combined surgical procedures.
3. Cataract Surgery: Revenue from laser-assisted cataract surgery and premium cataract procedures including Light Adjustable Lens, performed at a dedicated surgical center.
4. Specialty Contact Lenses: Revenue from custom-fitted specialty contact lenses including custom soft lenses, corneal GP lenses, piggyback lens systems, hybrid lenses, and custom scleral lenses (including wavefront-guided, scan-based, and impression-based scleral lenses). Also includes PROSE (BostonSight PROSE) treatment devices.
5. Corneal Disease and Dry Eye Treatment: Revenue from treatment of corneal disease including corneal transplants (PK, DALK, DSAEK), PROSE treatment, dry eye and ocular surface disease management, and complication management.
6. Financing (CareCredit): The practice accepts CareCredit healthcare financing credit card, allowing patients to pay for procedures over time with monthly payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute (CLEI) / Hersh Vision Group is a physician-owned ophthalmology and optometry practice providing refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, RLE, Conductive Keratoplasty), premium cataract surgery with Light Adjustable Lens, and specialty keratoconus and corneal disease care including Corneal Crosslinking, the proprietary Corneal Tissue Addition Keratoplasty (CTAK), Intacs, advanced corneal transplants, and specialty contact lenses (BostonSight PROSE, EyePrintPro, wavefront-guided and scan-based scleral lenses). Services are delivered in-office at Teaneck, NJ and at a local dedicated eye-surgery center, with financing through CareCredit.

Product overview

The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute (CLEI) is a comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry practice offering a multi-tiered approach to vision correction and corneal disease management. Their portfolio includes surgical procedures (LASIK, PRK, corneal crosslinking, CTAK, Intacs, corneal transplants, cataract surgery), specialty contact lenses (scleral lenses, wavefront-guided lenses, EyePrintPro, BostonSight PROSE devices), and pharmaceutical treatments (VUITY eye drops). The CLEI Center for Keratoconus, founded in 2002 as the nation's first dedicated subspecialty center, implements their KC 1-2-3 methodology: Step 1 (stabilize with crosslinking), Step 2 (improve corneal topography with surgical procedures), and Step 3 (optimize vision with specialty contact lenses). They offer both laser-assisted and non-laser surgical techniques, custom-designed contact lenses, and the innovative CTAK procedure they invented. The practice also provides premium cataract surgery with Light Adjustable Lens technology and reading vision correction options including conductive keratoplasty and blended vision LASIK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom LASIK / Wavelight LASIK / All-Laser LASIK with IntraLase / LASEK
• PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy)
• Topography-Guided PRK
• EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)
• Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)
• Near Vision CK (Conductive Keratoplasty)
• Corneal Crosslinking (CXL) and Specialty CXL Variants
• CTAK (Corneal Tissue Addition Keratoplasty)
• Intacs (Intracorneal Ring Segments)
• Advanced Corneal Transplants (PK, DALK, DSAEK, laser-assisted IEK/FLAK)

Quantifiable outcome

• CTAK clinical trials: 95.2% of eyes gained more than 2 lines of uncorrected vision without glasses; 47.6% gained more than 6 lines; 57.1% gained at least 2 lines of vision with glasses
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BostonSightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEI is New Jersey's first and only BostonSight PROSE provider. PROSE (Prosthetic Replacement of the Ocular Surface Ecosystem) is a custom medical treatment model using prosthetic devices from gas-permeable polymers for each patient's condition and unique eye shape, treating ocular surface disease. This exclusive provider status in NJ indicates a significant partnership for advanced treatment delivery.
• EyePrintProcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEI is New Jersey's first and only EyePrintPro provider. EyePrintPro uses impression-based technology where a specialized gel captures an impression of the eye, which is 3D scanned to create a digital model for designing completely customized scleral lenses. Dr. Gelles was the first to perform this technique in the Northeast United States.
• Lions Eye Bank of New JerseycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLEI works very closely with the Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey as well as other national eye banks for sourcing donor corneal tissue used in corneal transplants and CTAK procedures. This partnership ensures reliable tissue supply for surgical procedures.
• Alcon Inc. (Contoura System)coreTechnology or IntegrationCLEI uses the Wavelight EX500 laser with the Contoura system (Alcon Inc) for topography-guided PRK treatments. The Contoura system analyzes corneal topography maps and generates a customized laser pattern to reshape the cornea.
• CareCreditcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCLEI accepts CareCredit healthcare financing credit card, North America's leading patient healthcare financing program. CareCredit allows patients to begin procedures immediately and pay over time with monthly payments, making procedures more accessible.
• OVITZ (xWAVE Wavefront Technology)coreTechnology or IntegrationCLEI uses OVITZ xWAVE technology for wavefront aberrometry measurements. The device measures unique eye optics while patients wear scleral lenses, creating wavefront maps used to design high-performance, HOA-reducing wavefront-guided scleral lenses.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Woolfson Eye Institute: Atlanta-based physician-led LASIK, cataract and refractive surgery practice with multiple surgeons. Comparable premium refractive/cataract offering and surgeon-led clinical operation model.
• Kraff Eye Institute: Chicago-based, physician-owned refractive and cataract surgery practice offering LASIK, PRK, ICL and premium cataract procedures. Directly comparable specialty ophthalmology model with surgeon-founders and similar premium positioning to CLEI.
• Hoopes Vision: Utah-based refractive surgery practice offering LASIK, ICL, RLE and cataract surgery under a founder-surgeon brand. Comparable single-specialty premium ophthalmology positioning and direct-to-consumer GTM motion.
• Icon Eyecare: Colorado-based, multi-location ophthalmology practice focused on LASIK, refractive surgery and cataract. Comparable premium refractive/cataract positioning with multi-site expansion strategy CLEI has not yet pursued.
• Minnesota Eye Consultants: Midwest specialty ophthalmology group practice offering refractive surgery, cataract, corneal disease and contact lens services with multiple locations. Comparable multi-subspecialty ophthalmology practice scale and operating structure.
• Dello Russo Laser Vision: Northeast U.S. (NY/NJ-area) regional LASIK and refractive surgery practice. Strong geographic and offering overlap with CLEI — same regional patient pool, similar LASIK/PRK/ICL menu, and premium-segment positioning.
• Cutarelli Vision: Colorado-based founder-led LASIK and refractive surgery practice. Similar premium refractive clinic model and surgeon-led clinical positioning, though smaller and less geographically diversified.

Broad incumbents

• Wills Eye Hospital: Philadelphia-based academic eye hospital and cornea/refractive subspecialty center. Comparable clinical-research orientation and corneal disease/keratoconus expertise, but as a much larger institutional peer.
• Bascom Palmer Eye Institute: University of Miami Health System eye hospital, nationally ranked academic ophthalmology center. Overlaps in cornea/refractive subspecialties and clinical-trial leadership but operates at vastly larger scale and academic-mission orientation.
• TLC Laser Eye Centers (LASIKPlus): Large, multi-site North American LASIK chain acquired by LaserVision. Overlaps with CLEI on the core LASIK/PRK menu but competes on volume and price, not specialty cornea/keratoconus depth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/keratoconusus
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtP5gll2QGAOn_OjIIJYDCQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/CLEIvision
• Instagraminstagram.com/cleivision2020

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Cornea and Laser Eye Institute - Hersh Vision Group