Dr. Jeremy Chess
Jeremy Chess, M.D.

  • Graduate of Six Year Medical Program, Boston University School of Medicine, 1970
  • Resident in Ophthalmology, Boston University 1971-1974
  • Practice of General Ophthalmology, 1975-1981
  • Fellow in Retinal Disease, Surgery and Ocular Pathology, Harvard Medical School, 1981-1983
  • Director of Ophthalmology 1983-1988, College Hospital of Albert Einstein College of Medicine
  • Associate Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Dr. David Haft
David A. Haft, M.D.
  • Graduate of Tulane University School of Medicine, 1973
  • Resident in Ophthalmology, Montefiore Hospital 1975-1978
  • Fellow in Retinal Disease and Surgery, Cornell Medical Center 1978
  • Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
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  • Private Practice of Vitreoretinal Surgery since 1979   

Dr. Navid Hakimian
Navid Hakimian, M.D.
  • Graduate of Tufts Medical School - Boston, MA 1991
  • Resident in Ophthalmology, Stony Brook University Hospital, NY 1991 - 1995
  • Fellow in Retinal Diseases and Surgery 1995 - 1997
  • Associate of Retina Group 1997 - Present
 
Issac Moradi M.D.
  • Graduate of Downstate Medical School - Brooklyn, NY 1995
  • Resident in Ophthalmology, Stony Brook University Hospital, NY 1996-1999
  • Fellow in Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery 1999-2001
  • Associate of Retina Group 2003 - Present

Doctor Jeremy Chess, and David A. Haft, M.D. have merged their practices and now see patients as Retina Group, P.C. The doctors have done this not only because of their desire to work with each other but also in the hopes of meeting new demands in the health care environment. As colleagues during the past twelve years, they share a similar approach and dedication to their subspecialty of retinal disease.

The introduction of new technologies to diagnostic and surgical vitreoretinal medicine led them to conclude that pooling resources was essential to remain at the technologic cutting edge and also to provide collegial interaction and support.

They will continue to use offices at the Cross County Center and have opened a new office in the Bronx located at 2221 Boston Road (corner of Pelham Parkway North.) While equipping the new office, they have incorporated important technological advances in diagnosis and treatment of retinal disorders. Digital systems will supplement the angiographic equipment already available. Additionally, indocyanine green angiography is now available. Ophthalmic ultrasonography, electroretinography and fundus stereo photography have also been upgraded.

Advanced ocular laser surgical facilities are available at all offices of Westchester Bronx Retinal Group. Surgical procedures requiring an operating room can usually be performed on an ambulatory basis in the Bronx by our doctors on the attending staff at Montefiore Medical Center and the Ambulatory Center on Pelham Parkway. In Westchester we can operate at St. Joseph's Hospital, Yonkers General and St. A gnes Hospital. The doctors are grateful to their combined staff of photographers, technicians and secretaries who have contributed to the group practice. The process of the merger has energized all of those involved.
Our Clinical Team
The people working behind-the-scenes in an office like this provide an important service. You come in contact with them often, but probably don't get to know them as well as you'd like. To help you know them better, we'd like to present personal profiles on the office personnel who assist Dr. Chess and Dr. Haft.
Barbara Currie Barbara Currie - Ophthalmic Technician - Barbara, who has the greatest seniority in the Retina Group, began working for Dr. Chess twenty five years ago when the doctor had offices in Connecticut. Barbara assists Dr. Chess with patient evaluations and is also busy at home with her two sons.
Barbara said that she is still amazed at the complex disorders that are referred to the Retina Group for consultation. Most patients first visit their own eye doctor and return there after the retina problem has been treated.

Barbara likes to travel; every winter she and her family make the sojourn from their home in Rowayton, CT. to Negrill, Jamaica for a two week vacation. Her favorite movie is the old version of "Sunset Boulevard" starring Gloria Swanson.
George De Angelo George De Angelo - Ophthalmic Technician - George has been working with Dr. Chess for the past three years. He was a retinal specialist in his homeland, Bulgaria, and continues to derive professional satisfaction in the Retina Group.
As a technician, George does preliminary examinations before the patients see the doctor. George feels that Dr. Chess' and Dr. Hafts retinal practice is "one of the leading centers in the world." He works hard to uphold high standards.

"I try to make patients as comfortable as possible when they come in for an examination," said George. "It's easy for a patient to get confused by all the high tech equipment. But I reassure the patients that they are really in the right place to get proper care."

George and his wife, Magdalena, have two daughters, 19 year old Elena and 18 year old Maria. When he can rest from work and family responsibilities, George likes a good book. His recent favorite read was The Autobiography of Richard Nixon.
Jack Brush Jack Brush - Digital Angiogram Technician - Jack has specialized in Fluorescein Angiography and Ophthahnic Photography. He is experienced in operating the angiography camera which takes photographs of the back of the eye to record the circulation of the retinal blood vessels.
Jack's background is in photography, biology and chemistry. He learned angiography at Montefiore Hospital. Though he lives in Greenwich Village, Jack loves the outdoors. He buys many more books, particularly about computers, than he ever gets to read.
Jana Roberts Jana Roberts - Certified Ophthalmic Assistant - Jana brings extensive technical experience to the Retina Group. Her initial work managing an optical shop led her to growing interest in the medical aspects of eye care. After gaining clinical experience in a general eye surgeon's office, Jana enjoys the new challenge of retinal disorders.
At home in Connecticut with her husband and daughter, Jana loves to travel, ski, and visit her native Germany.
Mary Joe Kenna Mary Joe Kenna - Certified Ophthalmic Technician -Mary Joe enjoys the chance to get to know patients as they return for ongoing care and treatment at the Retina Center.
While she has also worked in general ophthalmology offices, the world of retina care holds a special fascination for her. She travels nearly two hours each way, since she and her architect husband George moved to the rural Connecticut. An avid walker and nature lover, her favorite book remains Great Expectations.
Gina DeBiase Gina DeBiase - Clinical Coordinator - Gina has been assisting in Ophthalmology for the last six years. She is responsible for making sure all the patients' charts are in order. She also arranges the surgical schedule at one of the three operating rooms (Montefiore, St. Joseph's, and The New York Eye Surgery Center) the doctors use.
Gina enjoys meeting the patients and helping them. "I have a good rapport with everyone" said Gina. When patients come here it's not like a typical doctor's office. Gina wants to assist the patient with their upcoming eye appointments and us sure to report any eye problems to the doctors.

A Briarcliff Manor resident, off work Gina likes to visit her family, her friends, and go to the movies.
Our Services
Problems we commonly diagnose and/ or treat include: diabetic eye disease, retinal detachment, macular (retinal) degeneration,. uveitis (an @ inflammation) and retinal blood vessel occlusion. Other conditions include optic neuritis (inflamed nerve), intraocular tumors, congenital conditions, choroiditis (an inflammation), endophth@tis (infection within the eye) and penetrating ocular injuries.

Equipment and procedures for diagnosis and treatment in the office include: fundus photography, fluorescein, and indocyanine, angiography, ocular ultrasonography, retinal cryopexy, b'nocular indirect and standard argon laser, and computerized visual field analysis. Other procedures are direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy with sceral depression if necessary, plus slit lamp microscopy and other required examinations.
Your Visit With Us
When you arrive at the office, the staff will make sure you receive prompt attention. We first take your medical history, and perform initial measurements. Such information gives the doctor needed background facts about your problem.

Please being your current eyeglasses and medications when you visit so we can have full background information. Also bring your insurance identification cards so we can file your insurance claims properly.

For your further convenience, we accept most health insurance plans and Medicaid. We also take assignment for Medicarewhich means we do not charge more than the fee Medicare allows.

After your visit, we will send a detailed consultation report to your doctor and coordinate any necessary care. Let us know if you would like a report sent to anyone else.

We're looking forward to seeing you at the Retina Group. We trust that this information will help your visit go smoothly.

Your doctor has found you need specialized consultation, testing or treatment and wants you to visit our retina consultant at the Retina Group.

Dr. Chess, Dr. Haft and Dr. Hakimian are ophthalmologists with specialized training to treat the retina. They have assembled a staff sharing their dedication to care for this critical part of the eye.
Any Questions?
We work hard to make your visit as easy as possible. So just ask us if you would like another cup of coffee, a pair of sunglasses after the visit, or if we can help with any problem at all. Both offices are easily accessible by car or public transportation, and there is ample free parking.

If those transportation options don't work well for you, call us. For disabled patients and in case of emergency our patient coordinator can often arrange round-trip transportation for you at no charge. We can handle wheelchairs and other special needs, too. For instance, if you'd like us to meet you at the curb, just let us know in advance. No matter how you get there, we'll be glad to see you.