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Meet Dr. Erdey
Dr. Richard A. Erdey is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. As a corneal and refractive specialist, he specializes in training, experience, and research in refractive surgery (including LASIK, PRK, ICL, RK, and AK), anterior segment, corneal and lens surgery (including small incision rapid rehabilitation "dropless" cataract surgery, intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, corneal transplantation surgery (PK) and laser surgery). Dr. Erdey is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Refractive Keratoplasty, the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, and a diplomat of the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Dr. Erdey completed his undergraduate degree at Hofstra University in Long Island, then attended The Medical College of Virginia in Richmond for his medical degree. He returned to New York to complete an internship in internal medicine followed by an ophthalmology residency at North Shore Cornell University Medical College where he was honored to be chief resident. Upon completion of his ophthalmology residency in 1988, he continued his studies at Ohio State University to become a refractive and cornea specialist. As a corneal fellow, Dr. Erdey participated in early excimer laser bench work and clinical research. This experience provided the foundation for Dr. Erdey to master techniques in refractive surgery, corneal transplantation, and "no stitch" cataract removal using approaches that permit rapid visual rehabilitation.
His commitment to ophthalmology research and teaching led him to co-direct the Cornea Research and Laser Laboratory at the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital in New York in 1989. Ophthalmologists, both nationally and internationally, seeking additional corneal expertise became corneal clinical and research fellows under Dr. Erdey's direction. That same year, he became an investigator for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clinical trials of the VISX excimer laser system for PRK, which led to its subsequent approval for use in the United States.
Since relocating and establishing his practice in Columbus in 1992, Dr Erdey's passion for advancing corrective vision surgery has led him to participate as an investigator for numerous clinical studies. These include intacs® for keratoconus, iris reconstructive lenses, CRS LASIK, and the implantable contact lens (ICL). One of Dr. Erdey's patients was the first in Ohio to receive this implant in 1998. This event was featured on local and national television coverage in over ten major U.S. cities. Over the years, he has accumulated extensive clinical experience with four different excimer laser systems and performed several thousand refractive surgical procedures. He is recognized as a pioneer in corrective vision surgery through his development of new surgical techniques and instrument design.
Recently, more advanced tissue-sparing cornea transplantation techniques — DALK, DSEK, and DMEK — have been introduced, which have unique advantages over traditional full-thickness cornea transplantation (PK), a procedure that had changed little over the last hundred years. As an advisor to the Central Ohio Lions Eyebank, Dr. Erdey has championed these newer procedures and helped to refine and establish them throughout Columbus. Dr. Erdey offers these advanced cornea transplant options to suitable patients.
In 2014, he became the first in central Ohio to perform “dropless” cataract surgery, a safer and more cost-effective alternative to using eye drops after surgery. This has become the standard of care in his practice.
Dr. Erdey lectures extensively, and his numerous research and clinical articles have been published in multiple professional journals and textbooks.