John Mastrobattista, MD

Reviewing a Doctor on Unilocal is something that I never thought I will do, and I hope that I will never have to do again ;)
So hopefully no one will need to use the services from John, but if you do, know that this Dr is a pro, and one of the nicest you will ever meet. You will end in tears, but after few hours, when the eye drops disappear, you will see and feel better.
Such a nice person.

It’s been more than 10 years since I started going to Dr. M. When I decided to have my eyes done and got his name from a very popular, very skilled GP’s office, the staff couldn’t have been more enthusiastic. Soon I could see why.
Everything said about his manner by others is true. (Receptionist endorsement below.)
Not only did Dr. M present very persuasive arguments for PRK, he made clear that he wouldn’t do the procedure if my vision was either too good or too bad to make the laser surgery appropriate. His ethics are unmistakable, and he ‘picks up the pieces’ when patients he declines to operate on come back with problems after they reject his advice.
Everything went without a hitch, and it’s been 9 years since he did my eyes. Money well spent, indeed. I’ve been VERY happy with life without nearsightedness, glasses or contacts. AND I’ve been able to avoid reading glasses much longer than expected for my age.
It bugs me that I can’t recall the receptionist’s name, but I find the behavior another reviewer described as very uncharacteristic of her. She has always been courteous and professional with me and other patients I’ve seen. Honestly, when doctor friends have commented on the importance of a good receptionist, she is the one I think of.
I wonder if it might have been a substitute who messed up a scheduled appointment and was rude.

Every time I leave this place in tears.
*Damn eye drops*
I still see this doctor for my eye exams and he’s great. His bedside manner is excellent, answers questions thoroughly and I recommend.
IFHTP 3+

A second opinion is warranted. Without laying out the specifics of my diagnosis/​case, I caution all to get a second opinion. Very nice person and easy to deal with but like many MD’s does not REALLY listen to his patients. Once his diagnosis was made he continued down a treatment path without taking into consideration that his treatment or diagnosis were wrong. If he had — he would have changed course and requested additional testing. In either case I REALLY listen to my symptoms despite his assurances in the opposite direction. I went for second opinion and am now in the process of reversing damage done. I would not call the damage extensive, but, I would characterize it as avoidable. My bottom line — 2^nd opinions are important!

Going to Dr. Mastrobattista is certainly not like going to freaking Lenscrafters for an eye exam. This fellow is a certified M.D., performs complex surgeries weekly, takes his practice seriously and on one ocassion I’ve heard of, actually even saved a patient’s life on the table!
My experience with Dr. John was much less dramatic however. I was having a problem seeing music at a distance of 3 to 4.5 feet in low light (which is usually where the stupid stand is and what the lighting situation’s like too!), and he set me up great. Positioned the chart where the music stand would be and lowered the lights a little. Wrote me a scrip that fit the bill perfectly for performances and rehearsals. He’s an accomplished musician himself, so he has a lot of insight into our particular problems.
His office is on the ground floor of his house and the place is so clean, you could lick the floor and still feel good about it. In the twenty minutes I spent in his waiting room, I must have seen him wash his hands about 15 times. Good sign for a guy who’s going to have his fingers in your eyes, especially during cold season.
He’s a consummate and thorough professional in every single way but also has a wry, sophisticated sense of humor. It’s actually FUN going to Dr. Mastrobattista!
Important part is, he can tell you why your eyes aren’t working the way they’re supposed to and recommend and prescribe a solution tout de suite. This guy’s a real genius. Takes all kinds of insurance too.
I HIGHLY recommend.

I’ve been going to him for years and he did a great job on my PRK procedure for both eyes (spaced half a year apart).
The procedure was done at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital a couple blocks away from the Dr.‘s office. The procedure was done with a technichian-​type person in the room who prepped the machine, but Dr. M actually controlled the machine. During the procedure on my second eye, my eye moved… I got so worried but the Dr. said not to and that he adjusted for it.
It’s been a couple years now since the procedure and my vision is still perfect. Additionally, I don’t have any issues like dry eyes. It was some of the best money I ever spent.
The Dr. himself is a very nice guy and so is his receptionist, Cita, in my experience. He is very careful and didn’t rush into doing the procedure like most I suspect would. I would periodically come in so that he could gage any incremental changes to my sight for more than a year before the procedure. I recommend Dr. M wholeheartedly.

Dr. M’s office is not too helpful. Yes, his receptionist does not go out of her way to assist. The office is not senior friendly; not providing proper written instructions for medication, or after surgical care„ which may be overwhelming for his patients. He may be a super physician, but he needs to be aware of his patient population.
You need to be explicit and ask questions, and ask for clarification.

Excellent Doctor. Calm and direct.
Always there when you need him.
Takes calls or calls back.
Nice office, good location, helpful receptionist.

Unfortunately I never got to see the doctor. His receptionist is so rude and probably a poor representation of the doctor and his services. I had scheduled an appointment 6 weeks in advance. When I arrived, the lady could not find my appointment. I gave her the date I made it and she was like … «oh well, the doctor does see new patients on
Thursday afternoon» She had made this time for me 6 weeks earlier.
I cannot recommend this doctor. The receptionist never offered to reschedule the appointment or say I’m sorry. VERY rude and unprofessional service!

Being the origin of the «Mastrobattista» controversy I went for a visit.
Yeah, I actually went.
Yeah, he was a very good doctor.
Yeah, better than my eye doctor.
Yeah, he works out of a nice brownstone.
Yeah, he’s a very nice guy.
Yeah, I still can’t stop laughing at his name.
Yeah, I like my first review better.
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