Dr. Aquavella was the first fellowship trained corneal surgeon in the United States when he established practice in Rochester in the mid-1960's as a specialist in cornea and external eye disease. He continues to be a leader in clinical practice, surgery, education and research.

He was a founder and past president of the Cornea Society, a Director of the Eye Bank Association of America, and served as a consultant to the Food and Drug Administration and Tissue Banks International. As past president of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmology, he is well known for his work in the development of the therapeutic contact lens and the collagen shield.

While continuing to provide the best possible eye care, Dr. Aquavella is an internationally recognized lecturer, textbook author and researcher with over 350 publications. His current research interests include the ocular surface tear film, cornea wound healing and keratoprosthesis (artificial cornea transplantation).

Dr. Aquavella received his AB from Johns Hopkins University and his medical degree from the University of Naples. He has been a member of the health team at the Kings County Medical Center, Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard University and the Schepens Institute in Boston.

A recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor and Senior Honor Awards, Dr. Aquavella has been included for many years in Best Physicians in America and Best Physicians in the Northeast. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Languages

English, Italian

Certified Specialties

Ophthalmology - American Board of Ophthalmology

Faculty Appointments

Professor - Department of Ophthalmology (SMD)

Catherine E. Aquavella Distinguished Professorship in Ophthalmology - Department of Ophthalmology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School. 1961 - 1963

Residency, Ophthalmology, Brooklyn Hospital Center-Downtown Campus. 1959 - 1961

Internship, Internal Medicine, Kings County Hospital Center-GME. 1958 - 1959

Education

MD | Universita di Napoli (Italy). 1958

Research

Dr. James Aquavella has organized a group of basic scientists including Geunyoung Yoon, Krystel Huxlin, and Jim Zavislan to evaluate human tear film dynamics and its relationship to clinical dry eye syndrome. Utilizing three new technologies developed at the Eye Institute, including wave front analysis, OCT, and ellipsometry, the team is measuring variations in tear film thickness and composition related to the normal blink reflex during altered environmental conditions. This multidisciplinary approach -- which may lead to a better diagnosis and treatment of clinical dry eye -- is a collaborative effort between the Eye Institute and the departments of immunology, oral biology, optics, and dermatology.

Research Lab

Aquavella Lab

Visit Research Lab Website

Publications

Journal Articles

Short-Term Outcomes of Pediatric Keratoprosthesis With the Near-Complete Conjunctival Flap.

Bawany MH, Kudla C, Khan FA, Chung MM, Aquavella JV

Cornea.. 2021 June 140 (6):679-684. Epub 1900 01 01.

ISOPT Hot Topic Panel Discussion on Cornea Anterior Segment Disease.

Asbell PA, Aquavella JV, Hamrah P, Pepose JS, Rose L, Ucakhan O

Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.. 2019 October 35 (8):447-456. Epub 1900 01 01.

Chemical Burns of the Eye: The Role of Retinal Injury and New Therapeutic Possibilities.

Dohlman CH, Cade F, Regatieri CV, Zhou C, Lei F, Crnej A, Harissi-Dagher M, Robert MC, Papaliodis GN, Chen D, Aquavella JV, Akpek EK, Aldave AJ, Sippel KC, D?Amico DJ, Dohlman JG, Fagerholm P, Wang L, Shen LQ, González-Andrades M, Chodosh J, Kenyon KR, Foster CS, Pineda R, Melki S, Colby KA, Ciolino JB, Vavvas DG, Kinoshita S, Dana R, Paschalis EI

Cornea.. 2018 February 37 (2):248-251. Epub 1900 01 01.

Keratoprosthesis in Ectodermal Dysplasia.

Wozniak RA, Gonzalez M, Aquavella JV

Cornea.. 2016 July 35 (7):1026-8. Epub 1900 01 01.

Protective effect of soft contact lenses after Boston keratoprosthesis.

Kammerdiener LL, Speiser JL, Aquavella JV, Harissi-Dagher M, Dohlman CH, Chodosh J, Ciolino JB

The British journal of ophthalmology.. 2016 April 100 (4):549-52. Epub 08/14/2015.

Outcomes of Repeat Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis Implantation.

Ahmad S, Mathews PM, Srikumaran D, Aldave AJ, Lenis T, Aquavella JV, Hannush SB, Belin M, Akpek EK

American journal of ophthalmology.. 2016 January 161 :181-7.e1. Epub 10/23/2015.

Temperatures of the Ocular Surface, Lid, and Periorbital Regions of Sjögren's, Evaporative, and Aqueous-Deficient Dry Eyes Relative to Normals.

Abreau K, Callan C, Kottaiyan R, Zhang A, Yoon G, Aquavella JV, Zavislan J, Hindman HB

The ocular surface.. 2016 January 14 (1):64-73. Epub 10/23/2015.

Accuracy, Reliability, and Consistency in the Collection of Tear Film Osmolarity Data.

Aquavella JV

JAMA ophthalmology.. 2015 December 133 (12):1482-3. Epub 1900 01 01.

Thermal analysis of dry eye subjects and the thermal impulse perturbation model of ocular surface.

Zhang A, Maki KL, Salahura G, Kottaiyan R, Yoon G, Hindman HB, Aquavella JV, Zavislan JM

Experimental eye research.. 2015 March 132 :231-9. Epub 01/26/2015.

Incidence of peters anomaly and congenital opacity.

Aquavella JV

Cornea.. 2015 February 34 (2):e4. Epub 1900 01 01.

Measurement of a multi-layered tear film phantom using optical coherence tomography and statistical decision theory.

Huang J, Yuan Q, Zhang B, Xu K, Tankam P, Clarkson E, Kupinski MA, Hindman HB, Aquavella JV, Suleski TJ, Rolland JP

Biomedical optics express.. 2014 December 15 (12):4374-86. Epub 11/24/2014.

Long-term outcomes of boston type 1 keratoprosthesis implantation: a retrospective multicenter cohort.

Srikumaran D, Munoz B, Aldave AJ, Aquavella JV, Hannush SB, Schultze R, Belin M, Akpek EK

Ophthalmology.. 2014 November 121 (11):2159-64. Epub 07/11/2014.

Dry eyes: are new ideas drying up?

Aquavella JV

The British journal of ophthalmology.. 2013 July 97 (7):801-2. Epub 11/24/2012.

Phantom study of tear film dynamics with optical coherence tomography and maximum-likelihood estimation.

Huang J, Lee KS, Clarkson E, Kupinski M, Maki KL, Ross DS, Aquavella JV, Rolland JP

Optics letters.. 2013 May 1538 (10):1721-3. Epub 1900 01 01.

Infant keratoprosthesis.

Herzlich AA, Aquavella JV

International ophthalmology clinics.. 2013 53 (2):71-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

Maximum-likelihood estimation in Optical Coherence Tomography in the context of the tear film dynamics.

Huang J, Clarkson E, Kupinski M, Lee KS, Maki KL, Ross DS, Aquavella JV, Rolland JP

Biomedical optics express.. 2013 4 (10):1806-16. Epub 08/29/2013.

Novel formulation of glycerin 1% artificial tears extends tear film break-up time compared with Systane lubricant eye drops.

Gensheimer WG, Kleinman DM, Gonzalez MO, Sobti D, Cooper ER, Smits G, Loxley A, Mitchnick M, Aquavella JV

Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.. 2012 October 28 (5):473-8. Epub 05/03/2012.

The use of precut, ?-irradiated corneal lenticules in Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis implantation.

Akpek EK, Aldave AJ, Aquavella JV

American journal of ophthalmology.. 2012 September 154 (3):495-498.e1. Epub 05/24/2012.

Infectious endophthalmitis in adult eyes receiving Boston type I keratoprosthesis.

Ramchandran RS, Diloreto DA, Chung MM, Kleinman DM, Plotnik RP, Graman P, Aquavella JV

Ophthalmology.. 2012 April 119 (4):674-81. Epub 01/23/2012.

Noninvasive, objective, multimodal tear dynamics evaluation of 5 over-the-counter tear drops in a randomized controlled trial.

Tung CI, Kottaiyan R, Koh S, Wang Q, Yoon G, Zavislan JM, Davio SR, Aquavella JV

Cornea.. 2012 February 31 (2):108-14. Epub 1900 01 01.

Integrated multimodal metrology for objective and noninvasive tear evaluation.

Kottaiyan R, Yoon G, Wang Q, Yadav R, Zavislan JM, Aquavella JV

The ocular surface.. 2012 January 10 (1):43-50. Epub 01/08/2012.

Effect of airflow exposure on the tear meniscus.

Koh S, Tung C, Kottaiyan R, Zavislan J, Yoon G, Aquavella J

Journal of ophthalmology.. 2012 2012 :983182. Epub 04/10/2012.

Micrometer axial resolution OCT for corneal imaging.

Yadav R, Lee KS, Rolland JP, Zavislan JM, Aquavella JV, Yoon G

Biomedical optics express.. 2011 November 12 (11):3037-46. Epub 10/06/2011.

Titanium back plate for a PMMA keratoprosthesis: clinical outcomes.

Todani A, Ciolino JB, Ament JD, Colby KA, Pineda R, Belin MW, Aquavella JV, Chodosh J, Dohlman CH

Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fu?r klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie.. 2011 October 249 (10):1515-8. Epub 04/26/2011.

A safe Nd:YAG retroprosthetic membrane removal technique for keratoprosthesis.

Chak G, Aquavella JV

Cornea.. 2010 October 29 (10):1169-72. Epub 1900 01 01.

Simultaneous measurement of tear film dynamics using wavefront sensor and optical coherence tomography.

Koh S, Tung C, Aquavella J, Yadav R, Zavislan J, Yoon G

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.. 2010 July 51 (7):3441-8. Epub 02/17/2010.

Short-term visual outcomes of Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis implantation.

Dunlap K, Chak G, Aquavella JV, Myrowitz E, Utine CA, Akpek E

Ophthalmology.. 2010 April 117 (4):687-92. Epub 01/22/2010.

Effect of blinking on tear volume after instillation of midviscosity artificial tears.

Palakuru JR, Wang J, Aquavella JV

American journal of ophthalmology.. 2008 December 146 (6):920-4. Epub 08/23/2008.

Correlations among upper and lower tear menisci, noninvasive tear break-up time, and the Schirmer test.

Wang J, Palakuru JR, Aquavella JV

American journal of ophthalmology.. 2008 May 145 (5):795-800. Epub 03/10/2008.

Dynamic distribution of artificial tears on the ocular surface.

Wang J, Simmons P, Aquavella J, Vehige J, Palakuru J, Chung S, Feng C

Archives of ophthalmology.. 2008 May 126 (5):619-25. Epub 1900 01 01.

Keratoprosthesis in the treatment of severe ocular trauma.

Aquavella JV

Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie.. 2008 April 43 (2):153-5. Epub 1900 01 01.

Pediatric keratoprosthesis: a new surgical approach.

Aquavella JV

Annals of ophthalmology (Skokie, Ill.). 2008 40 (2):64-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

Histopathologic and immunologic aspects of alphacor artificial corneal failure.

Coassin M, Zhang C, Green WR, Aquavella JV, Akpek EK

American journal of ophthalmology.. 2007 November 144 (5):699-704. Epub 1900 01 01.

Management of exposure keratopathy associated with severe craniofacial trauma.

Williams ZR, Aquavella JV

Journal of cataract and refractive surgery.. 2007 September 33 (9):1647-50. Epub 1900 01 01.

Outcomes of Boston keratoprosthesis in aniridia: a retrospective multicenter study.

Akpek EK, Harissi-Dagher M, Petrarca R, Butrus SI, Pineda R, Aquavella JV, Dohlman CH

American journal of ophthalmology.. 2007 August 144 (2):227-231. Epub 06/04/2007.

Effect of blinking on tear dynamics.

Palakuru JR, Wang J, Aquavella JV

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.. 2007 July 48 (7):3032-7. Epub 1900 01 01.

The Boston keratoprosthesis in herpetic keratitis.

Khan BF, Harissi-Dagher M, Pavan-Langston D, Aquavella JV, Dohlman CH

Archives of ophthalmology.. 2007 June 125 (6):745-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Pediatric keratoprosthesis.

Aquavella JV, Gearinger MD, Akpek EK, McCormick GJ

Ophthalmology.. 2007 May 114 (5):989-94. Epub 1900 01 01.

Relationships between central tear film thickness and tear menisci of the upper and lower eyelids.

Wang J, Aquavella J, Palakuru J, Chung S, Feng C

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.. 2006 October 47 (10):4349-55. Epub 1900 01 01.

Repeated measurements of dynamic tear distribution on the ocular surface after instillation of artificial tears.

Wang J, Aquavella J, Palakuru J, Chung S

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.. 2006 August 47 (8):3325-9. Epub 1900 01 01.

Keratoprosthesis: current techniques.

Aquavella JV, Qian Y, McCormick GJ, Palakuru JR

Cornea.. 2006 July 25 (6):656-62. Epub 1900 01 01.

Keratoprosthesis: the Dohlman-Doane device.

Aquavella JV, Qian Y, McCormick GJ, Palakuru JR

American journal of ophthalmology.. 2005 December 140 (6):1032-1038. Epub 1900 01 01.

Guide to an Effective Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgical Center.

Aquavella JV

Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.. 1986 January 123 (1):46. Epub 1900 01 01.

Nutritional Blindness.

Aquavella JV

Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus.. 1982 November 119 (6):325. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

Roy and Fraunfelder's Current Ocular Therapy (2008)

Chapter: Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca and Sjogren's Syndrome

Authors: James V. Aquavella

Publisher: Saunders Elsevier 2008

Roy and Fraunfelder's Current Ocular Therapy (2008)

Chapter: Lacrimal Hyposecretion

Authors: James V. Aquavella

Publisher: Saunders Elsevier 2008

Roy and Fraunfelder's Current Ocular Therapy (2008)

Chapter: Scleromalacia Perforans

Authors: James V. Aquavella, MD, Gregory J. McCormick, MD

Publisher: Saunders Elsevier 2008

Ratings & Comments

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Ratings

During this visit, did this provider spend enough time with you?

4.8

During this visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?

5.0

During this visit did this provider give you easy to understand information about these health questions or concerns?

4.8

During this visit, did this provider listen carefully to you?

4.9

During this visit, did this provider explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

4.9

Patient Comments

5.0

His interest in my answers to his questions and my questions is always with wisdom of knowledge of his profession and his practical experiences.

May 18, 2024

5.0

Dr. Aquavella is an excellent eye doctor. I trust him.

Mar 30, 2024

5.0

I HAVE BEEN WITH THE DOCTOR FOR 52 YRS., HE DID ALL MY EYE SURGERIES. I WOULD HAVE NO ONE ELSE!

Feb 07, 2024

5.0

Depends on this issue. If dry eye w/little digital device use he is likely the best person in the region/country. If heavy digital device use, I would point them in another direction. [...]

Nov 07, 2023

5.0

Dr. Aquavella WAS & IS an excellent eye doctor [...]

Sep 12, 2023

5.0

Dr. Aquavella has provided excellent treatment for my condition!

Aug 28, 2023

5.0

Dr Aquavella is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!

May 27, 2023

5.0

I have never had a morning caring Opthamologist other than Dr. Aquavella!He never rushes me and answers all my questions! He has a calming presence and genuine care for his patients!

May 26, 2023

5.0

Dr. Aquavella,'s reputation is very positive & well known.

Apr 27, 2023

5.0

Dr. Aquavella is very attentive to my needs and worries. He says to call him any time & he will talk to me. Doctors don't do this anymore but Dr. Aquavella is extremely nice & considerate.

Apr 25, 2023

5.0

Dr. was very good at explaining and providing additional information.

Mar 08, 2023

5.0

Dr Aquavella consistently provides superior care & compassion.

Dec 07, 2022

5.0

I felt that the provider cared about a problem is and have had for months.

Nov 03, 2022

5.0

Dr. Aquavella solved a problem I was having with my left eye for about 2 years. He solved it in a few minutes.

Oct 20, 2022

4.6

I felt like this provider was not as thorough as others I've had in the past.

Jun 25, 2022

5.0

Would highly recommend for an issue with the eyes as appropriate.

Jun 14, 2022

5.0

Dr Acquavella is a true gem, true professional, very knowledgeable, caring. I feel blessed to have him for my severe dry eyes condition!!!! He's the Best!!!

May 25, 2022

5.0

Very clear and respectful.

May 24, 2022

5.0

What a wonderful and caring Dr. You have with Dr. Aquavella! 100% excellence! He really cares!

May 21, 2022