Dr. David H. Abramson

David H. Abramson, MD

Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Retinoblastoma
  • Eye/uveal/ocular melanoma
  • Orbital tumors

My Specialties

  • Chemotherapy
  • Brachytherapy
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Get to Know Me

I’m a board-certified ophthalmologist with special training in ophthalmic oncology, radiation oncology and pathology. Ophthalmic oncologists are ophthalmologists who are experts in diagnosing and treating cancer on the surface of the eye, in the eye, and in the tissues around the eye (the lid and orbit). 

I’m the only doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to receive tenure simultaneously in the Departments of Surgery, Pediatrics, and Radiation Oncology. I’m also the founding chief of the Ophthalmic Oncology Service at MSK. This is the only service dedicated to ophthalmic oncology in a cancer hospital in the United States. Because of our close association with specialists in pediatrics, genetics, interventional radiology, radiation oncology, diagnostic radiology, and medicine, we can offer coordinated, state-of-the-art care. Our patients have access to novel therapies and clinical trials not available anywhere else in the country.

Ophthalmic cancers are rare. They are usually diagnosed without performing a biopsy, so experience is very important in getting the correct diagnosis every time. At MSK, we use the latest diagnostic digital imaging and ultrasound tools and have implemented new AI algorithms to accurately diagnose intraocular cancers. 

The most common primary ophthalmic cancer affecting adults is melanoma in the eye. This is also known as uveal melanoma or ocular melanoma. We offer sophisticated diagnostic and treatment options for this cancer. These include brachytherapy (sealed radioactive material that’s surgically placed directly onto the eye) with radioactive iodine, proton beam radiation, and surgery. 

Our medical physicists and brachytherapy team are internationally respected for their expertise in delivering treatments tailored for each patient. Working closely with MSK’s melanoma team, we offer clinical trials for melanoma of the eye that has spread to another part of the body. Finally, a drug has been approved for patients with metastatic uveal melanoma (Tabentafusp), and MSK pioneered trials that led to  FDA approval in 2022.

As a member of the MSK Kids team, I treat patients with a pediatric eye tumor called retinoblastoma. Dating back to 1914, our retinoblastoma center is the longest continually operating center of its kind in the world. We have the longest follow-up of the largest number of patients. We have a modern examination suite dedicated to the care of children with retinoblastoma. It features all the latest equipment needed to diagnose and treat retinoblastoma in the most effective way possible.

I have introduced many new treatments for retinoblastoma that have been adopted by other cancer hospitals. In 2006, we pioneered the use of high-concentration, low-dose chemotherapy (also called ophthalmic artery chemosurgery or intra-arterial chemotherapy). This approach uses a catheter (thin, flexible tube) the size of angel hair pasta that is placed in the and threaded through the blood vessels of the body directly into the blood vessel of the eye. 

Just a few drops of the chemotherapy have the power to cure the cancer while retaining the vision and health of the eye. In the past, we removed one or both eyes in 95% of children with retinoblastoma, but now, we can avoid removing the eye 95% of the time. This procedure is painless and can be done in a clinic.  

We have also pioneered the use of chemotherapy injections directly into the eye and were the first to use high-dose Topotecan for this purpose. This painless outpatient procedure saves eyes that had to be removed in the past. Amazingly, there are no significant side effects from this treatment.

Our dedicated retinoblastoma team at MSK has introduced many other “firsts” in the field. We introduced the use of a blood test to detect the cancer in the eye (“cell free DNA”) and also developed the protocols for treating retinoblastoma when it spreads out of the eye. The protocol developed with our pediatric oncologist, Ira Dunkel, MD to treat extraocular retinoblastoma is now used worldwide. 

I have published more than 800 books, chapters, original articles, scientific reviews, audiotapes, and videotapes, and I was the editor of the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s instruction book on ophthalmic oncology. I have delivered more than 500 lectures worldwide.

Among the many honors I have received are awards from the Swiss Society of Ophthalmology (Stallard Medal), Danish Ophthalmological Society (Bjerrum Medal), the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (Weisenfeld Award), the Helen Keller Services for the Blind, and the New York State Ophthalmological Society (Hobie Award, the Alcon Institute Research Award, and the Purpura Award given to one graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine yearly. I have also received the Honor Award, the Senior Honor Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In 2026, I was awarded the Helen Keller Vision Research Award.

Outside of MSK, I have served as First Marshal (President) of my Harvard College class for more than 50 years. In 1995, I had the honor of escorting theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking when he received his honorary degree at Harvard. I wrote about the experience in an article titled “Saving Stephen Hawking,” that was published in HARVARD Magazine in 2018. My teacher and then patient, Oliver Sacks, MD, dedicated his book, The Mind’s Eye, to me.

What I Do at MSK

I'm an ophthalmic (of-THAL-mik) oncologist, which is a cancer doctor with special training in eye cancers. This includes eye melanoma and retinoblastoma.

  • Chief, Ophthalmic Oncology Service, Department of Surgery
Areas of Expertise

Conditions I Treat

  • Retinoblastoma
  • Eye/uveal/ocular melanoma
  • Orbital tumors

My Specialties

  • Chemotherapy
  • Brachytherapy
Education & Honors

Education

  • MD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Residencies

  • Ophthalmology - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center

Fellowships

  • Ophthalmology - Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center

Board Certifications

  • Ophthalmology

Awards and Honors

  • Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research, Helen Keller Foundation & BrightFocus Foundation (2026)
  • Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2000-26)
  • Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
  • Hall of Fame Honoree: Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation (2019), Retina Hall of Fame, Harvard University Athletic Club Hall of Fame (1993)
  • Charter Member, Retina Hall of Fame (2017)
  • Medal of Honor, Center for Sight (2013)
  • Dominic Purpura Award, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2012)
  • Bjerrum Medal, Danish Ophthalmological Society (2012)
  • The Alcon Research Institute Award, Alcon Research Institute (2011)
  • Stallard Medal, Cambridge University (2009)
  • Honor, Senior Honor, and Lifetime Achievement Awards, American Academy of Ophthalmology (1982, 1990, 2008)
  • Mildred Weisenfeld Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology, ARVO Annual Meeting (2004)
  • Hobart Lerner Award, New York State Ophthalmological Society (2001)
  • Honoree, The Manhattan League of Helen Keller Services for the Blind (2000)
  • Best Doctors in New York, New York Magazine (2000-2020)
  • Franceschetti Medal, Swiss Ophthalmological Society (1997)

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Contact and Location

Office Phone
Location
New York, NY
1275 York Avenue New York NY 10065

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Colleagues

Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.

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Clinical Trials

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Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.

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Research and Publications

Miguez S, Lee Y, Chan AX, Demkowicz P, Jones B, Long CP, Abramson DH, Bosenberg M, Sznol M, Kluger H, Goldbaum MH, Francis JH, Pointdujour-Lim R, Bakhoum MF. Validation of the prognostic utility of the gene expression profiling test in patients with uveal melanoma. Ophthalmology. 2023 Feb 3:S0161-6420(23)00064-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2023.01.020. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36739981.

Abramson DH, Mandelker DL, Brannon AR, Dunkel IJ, Benayed R, Berger MF, Arcila ME, Ladanyi M, Friedman DN, Jayakumaran G, Diosdado MS, Robbins MA, Haggag-Lindgren D, Shukla N, Walsh MF, Kothari P, Tsui DWY, Francis JH. Mutant-RB1 circulating tumor DNA in the blood of unilateral retinoblastoma patients: What happens during enucleation surgery: A pilot study. PLoS One. 2023 Feb 3;18(2):e0271505. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271505. PMID: 36735656; PMCID: PMC9897525.

Marathe PH, Dunkel IJ, Francis JH, Antal Z, Gobin YP, Abramson DH, Friedman DN. Biochemical measures of ovarian function in female survivors of retinoblastoma treated with intra-arterial melphalan: an initial report. Ophthalmic Genet. 2022 Dec;43(6):806-808. doi: 10.1080/13816810.2022.2132516. PMID: 36695494.

Francis JH, Barker CA, Brannon AR, Canestraro J, Robbins M, Swartzwelder CE, Levine S, Law C, Berger MF, Shoushtari A, Abramson DH. Detectability of Plasma-Derived Circulating Tumor DNA Panel in Patients Undergoing Primary Treatment for Uveal Melanoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2022 Dec 1;63(13):17. doi: 10.1167/iovs.63.13.17. PMID: 36525262; PMCID: PMC9766787.

Abramson DH, Shields CL. Re: Tomar et al.: American Joint Committee on Cancer Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force. High-risk pathologic features based on presenting findings in advanced intraocular retinoblastoma: a multicenter, international data-sharing American Joint Committee on Cancer Study (Ophthalmology. 2022;129:923-932) and Tomar et al.: American Joint Committee on Cancer Ophthalmic Oncology Task Force. Metastatic death based on presenting features and treatment for advanced intraocular retinoblastoma: a multicenter registry-based study. (Ophthalmology. 2022;129:933-945). Ophthalmology. 2023 Mar;130(3):e11-e12. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.10.018. Epub 2022 Nov 25. PMID: 36443123.

Lopez J, Qin N, Woods R, Golden M, Spatz H, Shah J, Wexler LH, Randazzo J, Wolden SL, Abramson DH. Orbital Exenteration and Brachytherapy for the Treatment of Pediatric, Fusion-positive, Recurrent Rhabdomyosarcoma. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2022 Oct 7;10(10):e4581. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000004581. PMID: 36225848; PMCID: PMC9543036.

Yeoh CB, Seier KP, Francis J, Abramson DH, Tan KS, Tollinche LE. Perioperative corneal injury: An unseen casualty of COVID-19. JOJ Ophthalmol. 2022 Apr;9(2):555757. doi: 10.19080/jojo.2022.09.555757. Epub 2022 Apr 26. PMID: 36092687; PMCID: PMC9455800.

Abramson DH, Dunkel IJ, Francis JH. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Metastatic Retinoblastoma. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2022 Aug 8:1. doi: 10.3928/01913913-20220623-02. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35938642.

Abramson DH, Gobin YP, Francis JH. Good Vision in Retinoblastoma Treated With Intra-arterial Chemotherapy and Laser in the Papillomacular Bundle. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2022 Aug 8:1. doi: 10.3928/01913913-20220629-01. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35938638.

Farouk Sait S, Bernot MR, Klein E, Abramson DH, Francis JH, Gilheeney S, Karajannis MA, Spitzer B, Wolden S, Dunkel IJ, Kernan NA. Lack of complete response pretransplant is not associated with inferior overall survival for stage 4a metastatic retinoblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Jan;70(1):e29921. doi: 10.1002/pbc.29921. Epub 2022 Aug 8. PMID: 35934994; PMCID: PMC9701149.

Foulsham W, Edghill BZ, Julia Canestraro OD, Makker V, Konner J, Abramson DH, Francis JH. Central retinal vein occlusion in the setting of fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibition. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2022 Jul 8;27:101657. doi: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101657. PMID: 35845747; PMCID: PMC9284313.

Dunkel IJ, Piao J, Chantada GL, Banerjee A, Abouelnaga S, Buchsbaum JC, Merchant TE, Granger MM, Jubran RF, Weinstein JL, Saguilig L, Abramson DH, Krailo MD, Rodriguez-Galindo C, Chintagumpala MM. Intensive Multimodality Therapy for Extraocular Retinoblastoma: A Children’s Oncology Group Trial (ARET0321). J Clin Oncol. 2022 Nov 20;40(33):3839-3847. doi: 10.1200/JCO.21.02337. Epub 2022 Jul 12. PMID: 35820112; PMCID: PMC9671757.

Francis JH, Folberg R, Abramson DH, Panarelli JF. Advanced Congenital Glaucoma with Corneal Staphyloma. Ophthalmol Glaucoma. 2022 Sep-Oct;5(5):475. doi: 10.1016/j.ogla.2022.05.007. Epub 2022 Jul 1. PMID: 35788339.

Carnevale JA, Goldberg J, Kocharian G, Rivera M, Giantini Larsen A, Garton A, Ramos A, Francis JH, Abramson DH, Pierre Gobin Y. Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma. J Neurointerv Surg. 2023 Mar;15(3):303-304. doi: 10.1136/neurintsurg-2022-018957. Epub 2022 May 18. PMID: 35584909.

Francis JH, Canestraro J, Abramson DH, Barker CA, Shoushtari AN. Combination intravitreous melphalan and bevacizumb for cutaneous metastatic melanoma to the vitreous and retina. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2022 Apr 9;26:101519. doi: 10.1016/j.ajoc.2022.101519. PMID: 35464680; PMCID: PMC9020100.

Schaiquevich P, Francis JH, Cancela MB, Carcaboso AM, Chantada GL, Abramson DH. Treatment of Retinoblastoma: What Is the Latest and What Is the Future. Front Oncol. 2022 Apr 1;12:822330. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2022.822330. PMID: 35433448; PMCID: PMC9010858.

Abramson DH. Cell Free DNA (cfDNA) in the Blood of Retinoblastoma Patients The Robert M. Ellsworth Lecture. Ophthalmic Genet. 2022 Dec;43(6):731-735. doi: 10.1080/13816810.2021.2004433. Epub 2022 Apr 5. PMID: 35382685; PMCID: PMC9532458.

Del Sole MJ, Clausse M, Nejamkin P, Cancela B, Del Río M, Lamas G, Lubieniecki F, Francis JH, Abramson DH, Chantada G, Schaiquevich P. Ocular and systemic toxicity of high-dose intravitreal topotecan in rabbits: Implications for retinoblastoma treatment. Exp Eye Res. 2022 May;218:109026. doi: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109026. Epub 2022 Mar 8. PMID: 35276184; PMCID: PMC9502017.

Foulsham W, Abramson DH, Francis JH. Choroidal Nevus Regression in the Setting of Checkpoint Inhibition Immunotherapy. Retina. 2022 May 1;42(5):e25-e26. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003467. PMID: 35250013; PMCID: PMC9078091.

Francis JH, Winebrake JP, Abramson DH. Uveal lymphoid hyperplasia: treatment with combination antibiotics and steroids. Br J Ophthalmol. 2022 Feb 21:bjophthalmol-2021-319483. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2021-319483. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35190399.

Francis JH, Berry D, Abramson DH, Barker CA, Bergstrom C, Demirci H, Engelbert M, Grossniklaus H, Hubbard B, Iacob CE, Jaben K, Kurli M, Postow MA, Wolchok JD, Kim IK, Wells JR. Intravitreous Cutaneous Metastatic Melanoma in the Era of Checkpoint Inhibition: Unmasking and Masquerading. Ophthalmology. 2020 Feb;127(2):240-248. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.09.018. Epub 2019 Sep 24.

Durham BH, Lopez Rodrigo E, Picarsic J, Abramson D, Rotemberg V, De Munck S, Pannecoucke E, Lu SX, Pastore A, Yoshimi A, Mandelker D, Ceyhan-Birsoy O, Ulaner GA, Walsh M, Yabe M, Petrova-Drus K, Arcila ME, Ladanyi M, Solit DB, Berger MF, Hyman DM, Lacouture ME, Erickson C, Saganty R, Ki M, Dunkel IJ, Santa-María López V, Mora J, Haroche J, Emile JF, Decaux O, Geissmann F, Savvides SN, Drilon A, Diamond EL, Abdel-Wahab O. Activating mutations in CSF1R and additional receptor tyrosine kinases in histiocytic neoplasms. Nat Med. 2019 Dec;25(12):1839-1842. doi: 10.1038/s41591-019-0653-6. Epub 2019 Nov 25.

Banerjee SC, Pottenger E, Petriccione M, Chou JF, Ford JS, Sklar CA, Robison LL, Kleinerman RA, Oeffinger KC, Francis JH, Abramson DH, Dunkel IJ, Friedman DN. Impact of enucleation on adult retinoblastoma survivors’ quality of life: A qualitative study of survivors’ perspectives. Palliat Support Care. 2019 Nov 8:1-10. doi: 10.1017/S1478951519000920. [Epub ahead of print]

Kleinerman RA, Schonfeld SJ, Sigel BS, Wong-Siegel JR, Gilbert ES, Abramson DH, Seddon JM, Tucker MA, Morton LM. Bone and Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Risk in Long-Term Survivors of Hereditary Retinoblastoma Treated With Radiation. J Clin Oncol. 2019 Dec 10;37(35):3436-3445. doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.01096. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Qureshi S, Francis JH, Haque SS, Dunkel IJ, Souweidane MM, Friedman DN, Abramson DH. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Screening for Trilateral Retinoblastoma: The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Experience 2006-2016. Ophthalmol Retina. 2019 Oct 31. pii: S2468-6530(19)30605-0. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2019.10.010. [Epub ahead of print]

Zauderer MG, Jayakumaran G, DuBoff M, Zhang L, Francis JH, Abramson DH, Cercek A, Nash GM, Shoushtari A, Chapman P, D’Angelo S, Arnold AG, Siegel B, Fleischut MH, Ni A, Rimner A, Rusch VW, Adusumilli PS, Travis W, Sauter JL, Zehir A, Mandelker D, Ladanyi M, Robson M. Prevalence and Preliminary Validation of Screening Criteria to Identify Carriers of Germline BAP1 Mutations. J Thorac Oncol. 2019 Nov;14(11):1989-1994. doi: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.07.002. Epub 2019 Jul 16.

Farouk Sait S, Haque S, Karimi S, Rebeiz KJ, Francis JH, Marr BP, Abramson DH, Souweidane MM, Dunkel IJ. A Potential Role For Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in the Diagnosis of Trilateral Retinoblastoma. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2019 Jun 27. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000001523. [Epub ahead of print]

Abramson DH, Francis JH. Pseudomelanoma (with Cataract) in a Child Caused by Amniocentesis. Ophthalmology. 2019 Apr;126(4):590. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2019.01.025. No abstract available.

Francis JH, Barker CA, Yin VT, Carvajal RD, Chapman P, Abramson DH, Gobin YP. Chemoreduction of Orbital Recurrence of Uveal Melanoma by Intra-Arterial Melphalan. Ocul Oncol Pathol. 2019 Apr;5(3):186-189. doi: 10.1159/000490061. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Abramson DH, Dhar LS, Francis JH. Iris Mass in a 2-Year-Old. Ophthalmol Retina. 2018 Sep;2(9):905. doi: 10.1016/j.oret.2018.06.010. Epub 2018 Sep 4. No abstract available.

Publications on PubMed

Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Abramson’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

See all on PubMed

Disclosures

Members of the MSK Community often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community. These activities outside of MSK further our mission, provide productive collaborations, and promote the practical application of scientific discoveries.

MSK requires doctors, faculty members, and leaders to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public. Not all disclosed interests and relationships present conflicts of interest. MSK reviews all disclosed interests and relationships to assess whether a conflict of interest exists and whether formal COI management is needed.

David H. Abramson discloses the following relationships and financial interests:

  • The Fund for Ophthalmic Knowledge Inc.
    Fiduciary Role / Position

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This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2024 through disclosure submission in spring 2025). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.

Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].


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