Dr. Sheldon Jay Cowen, MD

I was referred by another ophthalmologist which is always a good thing. I've been treated by him for severe dry eyes in the context of severe Sjogrens Syndrone. He really knows everything to use for dry eyes he's gone down the total list. I still have bad days but if he had it up his sleeve to cure me he would. He's pleasant but not super personable

Great Medical Eye Doctor. I have seen Dr. Cowen for several years and have always had excellant service. Would highly recommend for anyone with Medical Eye issues

Beware his Lipiflow procedure -- it doesn't work and he likes to sell it.

Uber Professional, I've been with him for 30 years...tops in my book!

I've been a patient of Dr Cowan's for over 10 years and will remain so. Thanks Dr. Cowan and staff.

I'm HIV+ w/ AIDS (though relatively healthy nowadays), have been since tested in '88. Dr. Cowen has taken extra steps I knew were appropriate in testing me for certain things to examine. I did my homework, and so did Dr. C. in advance of me announcing my status.The general care has been great. And as far as I've been concerned, he's not carried away about making bigger bucks by being an "eye stylist" as observed by other "celeb-type opthalmologists" who may know their stuff but frighten me for their interese in the almighty dollar vs. being a great eye doc looking for issues which crop up with age, heredity, and more.I like how he held off prescribing me reading glasses for several years until I really needed them due to a small stigma. I contend the Rx for script glasses has been right-on.And of late, the past year, he's looking out for possible glaucoma. But it's no aggressive surgical strategy. I come in every 2 mos., it seems, to do tests and have exams. I'm not knowledgeable about… all aspects of such exams and glaucoma, but so far I trust his skills, examinations and reserve in not acting fast to eradicate the glaucoma, as it doesn't appear to be a fast-advancing issue.

I was a patient of Dr. Cowen for over 11 years. He is an excellent, knowledgeable and caring doctor. He operated on both of mycataracts. My vision since then has been wonderful. I would highly recommend Dr. Cowen. I have, in fact, recommended him to my friends only to find out that they were already seeing him and were equally pleased with him.

Dr. Cowen has treated all members of our family. He is attentive, remembers us from year-to-year, took care of my mother-in-law in a difficult situation. He recommends care that is reasonable and affordable.

After ten years as a patient of Dr. Cowen, I can emphatically state that he is a caring and very competent doctor. It's quite obvious that he cares not only about doing a first rate job and achieving success with every patient, but also about relating to each patient in a compassionate way. When Dr. Cowen must impart a negative diagnosis to a patient or speak of any negatives, it's quite apparent that he is genuinely sensitive to the patient's emotional reaction and really cares about easing the patient's worries or concerns about any facet of treatment. A patient has only to look at Dr. Cowen's face and demeanor to see that he really cares about and feels genuine compassion for the patient. On one occasion when he gave me an upsetting diagnosis, I said, "Well, I guess that means I will be blind eventually." He was about to leave the room, but when he heard my words, he stopped, shut the door, returned to his chair, and said, "No, you definitely will not be blind if you follow… directions for treatment." He then proceeded to talk to me at length to allay my fears. I walked out of his office that day, feeling confident that I would triumph over the condition that could cause blindness.Because of this willingness to answer the patient's questions and allay patient anxiety, he sometimes spends longer with some patients, making other patients wait. In my opinion, this is perfectly acceptable and the mark of an excellent, caring doctor. He takes whatever time is needed to do what must necessarily be done with each patient. If a patient has a severe problem, it's reasonable to expect that a doctor should spend more time with that patient. I never mind waiting for Dr. Cowen because I figure that the very fact that I must wait signifies that he is an excellent doctor who is giving necessary time to another patient who probably needs attention more urgently than I do. I have had to wait for Dr. Cowen for lengths of time ranging from five or ten minutes to as long as an hour. This makes no difference to me. I simply schedule the appointment so that I have plenty of time for waiting if that is necessary. I am willing to wait any length of time for medical care as competent and caring as that provided by Dr. Cowen and can't understand why anyone would complain about waiting because the waiting, when it happens,results from Dr. Cowen's policy of doing his absolute best with every patient. Excessive waits don't happen very often in his office. But sometimes doing his best takes longer with some patients than it might take with other patients.Dr. Cowen's apparent goal of always doing his best work combined with his extreme competence makes him a first rate doctor. Because of his competence in performing two procedures and successfully treating a potentially serious condition for me, I am seeing far better now than I did ten years ago when I first saw Dr. Cowen. I recommend Dr. Cowen unconditionally to my friends and relatives or to anyone needing a caring and competent ophthalmologist.

Dr. Sheldon Cowen knows a great deal about the eye. I had a positive experience with him for 5 years. About 4-5 years ago he started performing Lasik surgeries and his attitude towards patients changed significantly. He traded his patient and thorough manner formerly willing to explain the status of my eyes, and instead he became guarded and would only say things like "it's ok" or "i recommend this." When I would ask questions, "Can you tell me what is happening?" Or, "What are the risks of this procedure?" Or, "Why do you recommend that procedure?" Or the asking of any basic information gathering questions about risks and condition, Dr. Sheldon Cowen has become very defensive and will only respond with answers like "Trust Me, Just Trust Me." Or, "I would tell you, if anything bad could happen." I like to be an informed patient and make my own medical decisions, not just be told to do something and never mind the risks. I do like to hear my Doctors opinion, but I like to know… why and what I'm getting myself into before doing risky things which may jeapordise my health and vision. Dr. Sheldon Cowen is NOT helpful in this regard. He will no longer provide basic information for patients to understand their condition and make a choice. Even when asked. He will repeat the same statement over and over, yet not answer my basic questions. I find this to be NON-transparent and unhelpful in a Doctor. Unfortunately, I will be switching to a Doctor who treats patients with respect and realizes they have a choice in making risky health decisions.