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Jay M. Lustbader, MD| Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Diseases | MedStar Health
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Jay M. Lustbader

Jay M. Lustbader, MD
Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

4.9 out of 5 (1711 reviews)

Specialties: Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Diseases, Cataract and Refractive Disease

Languages: English

202-444-4978

About me

Jay Mark Lustbader, MD, is the Physician Executive Director of the Department of Ophthalmology for MedStar Health.  Dr. Lustbader is the director of cornea and refractive surgery and president of the Washington National Eye Center. Dr. Lustbader holds a lifetime certification from the American Board of Ophthalmology and is licensed in DC, MD and VA. Dr. Lustbader chose ophthalmology because he believes the field allows him to combine the best aspects of other areas of medicine: he performs high-tech microscopic surgeries and also has an opportunity to develop long-term relationships with his patients. He finds the greatest satisfaction in restoring his patients' sight.

The patient comes first in Dr. Lustbader's practice. He and his staff offer expertise and experience in a caring environment. Dr. Lustbader will do whatever it takes to improve someone's vision—from something as simple as prescribing glasses to the most complex surgical procedures.

Dr. Lustbader has published nearly 50 papers and abstracts on a variety of topics in corneal disease and other aspects of ophthalmology and has been invited to speak at 50 lectures on his topics of clinical interest. Outside of his medical practice, he is a runner and avid Baltimore Ravens fan.

Awards

  • 2023 Professional Service Award, Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington
  • 2022 Certificate of Appreciation, American Board of Ophthalmology
  • 2020 Best of the Best Top Docs by the National Keratoconus Foundation
  • 2014-2022 Top Doctor, Washingtonian Magazine
  • 2014 Secretariat Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • 2013 Georgetown Spirit Award
  • 2012 America's Top Doctors
  • 2010 Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology
     

Professional Society Memberships

  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology
  • American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • Washington, DC, Metropolitan Ophthalmology Society
  • Past President, Washington Academy of Ophthalmology
  • Chairman, DC Eye MD PAC
  • Examiner, American Board of Ophthalmology
  • Board Member, Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington

Clinical areas of focus

  • Cataract Surgery For Cataracts
  • Corneal Diseases
  • Dry Eyes
  • Keratoconus Treatment
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Conditions and procedures

Conditions I treat

  • Allergic Conjunctivitis
  • Astigmatism
  • Benign Neoplasm Of Skin
  • Blepharitis
  • Blurred Vision
  • Cataract Formation
  • Cataracts
  • Chalazion
  • Chronic Dry Eye
  • Complications Of Transplanted Organs And Tissue
  • Corneal Abrasion
  • Corneal Diseases
  • Corneal Dystrophies
  • Corneal Ectasia
  • Corneal Edema
  • Corneal Scarring
  • Corneal Transplant Rejection
  • Corneal Ulcers
  • Cranial Nerve Injury
  • Dry Eyes
  • Episcleritis
  • Eye Infections
  • Eye Irritation
  • Eye Strain
  • Eye Trauma
  • Family History Of Specific Disorders
  • Farsightedness
  • Fuchs Dystrophy
  • Globe Rupture
  • Hordeolum And Chalazion
  • Intraocular Lens Implant Complications
  • Intraoperative And Postprocedural Complications Of Eye
  • Lens Dislocation
  • Nearsightedness
  • Ocular Hypertension
  • Pinguecula
  • Posterior Capsule Opacification
  • Postprocedural States
  • Presbyopia
  • Presence Of Functional Implants
  • Pterygium
  • Refractive Errors
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Sarcoidosis
  • Secondary Cataract
  • Systemic Connective Tissue Involvement
  • Transplanted Organ And Tissue Status
  • Uveitis
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Procedures I perform

  • Amniotic Membrane Transplantation
  • Autorefraction
  • Band Keratopathy Treatment
  • Cataract Surgery For Cataracts
  • Closure Of Lacrimal Punctum
  • Cogan's Syndrome Treatment
  • Conjunctivitis Treatment
  • Corneal Foreign Body Removal
  • Descemet’S Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty
  • Dry Eye Management
  • Eye Discharge Treatment
  • Eye Infection Treatment
  • Fundus Photography
  • Hyperopia Correction
  • Hyphema Treatment
  • Intraocular Lens Implantation
  • Iol Exchange
  • Keratitis Treatment
  • Keratoconus Treatment
  • Lacrimal Punctal Occlusion
  • Laser-Assisted Subepithelial Keratomileusis
  • Lasik
  • Low Vision Rehabilitation
  • Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implantation
  • Neurodegenerative Disease Treatment
  • Neuro-Endocrine Disorder Treatment
  • Neuro-Rheumatologic Disease Treatment
  • Ophthalmic Biometry
  • Ophthalmic Ultrasound
  • Optic Nerve Imaging
  • Optical Coherence Tomography
  • Pediatric Uveitis Treatment
  • Pellucid Marginal Degeneration Treatment
  • Penetrating Keratoplasty
  • Phacoemulsification
  • Posterior Vitreous Detachment Treatment
  • Punctal Occlusion
  • Punctal Occlusion
  • Pupilloplasty
  • Red Eye Treatment
  • Refractive Implant Surgery
  • Refractive State Determination
  • Sarcoid Uveitis Treatment
  • Sarcoidosis Treatment
  • Specular Microscopy
  • Synechiae Treatment
  • Tonometry
  • Toric Intraocular Lens Implantation
  • Trichiasis Treatment
  • Ultrasonography
  • Wavefront Analysis
  • YAG Laser Surgery
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Practice locations

Distance from Change Location Enter your Location

3800 Reservoir Rd NW
PHC Lower Level
Washington, DC, 20007

202-444-2745
Get Directions

miles away

Fax 202-444-7804

Insurance

This list represents the major payors accepted by MedStar Health.

NOTE: Payor contracts change and not all plans associated with a payor may be covered. Payors may offer multiple plans. If you have a question related to your insurance, please contact your insurance plan directly. Contact information is located on your health insurance ID card.

*Denotes limited participation. Specific providers and practices may NOT be participating. Please contact your insurance plan directly.

  • List of insurance plans we accept
    • Aetna
    • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of Maryland
    • Cigna Health Care
    • Kaiser Permanente*
    • MedStar Select (Administered by CareFirst)
    • United HealthCare
    • Aetna
    • CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield of Maryland
    • Healthspring
    • Humana
    • Medicare & Railroad Medicare
    • United HealthCare
    • Aetna Better Health of Maryland *
    • Medical Assistance/Medicaid
    • MedStar Family Choice MD
    • Priority Partners *
    • United HealthCare Community Health Plan MD
    • Wellpoint MD
    • AmeriHealth Caritas
    • Health Services For Children With Special Needs (HSCSN)
    • Medical Assistance/Medicaid
    • MedStar Family Choice DC
    • Johns Hopkins Employer Health Programs *
    • Johns Hopkins US Family Health Plan *
    • MultiPlan
    • Private Healthcare Systems
    • Tricare/Humana Military
    • VA Community Care Network (VACCN)

Videos

Education

Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology

Fellowship: Georgetown University (1989)

Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1988)

Internship: Greater Baltimore Medical Center (1985)

Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1984)

Awards

  • 2023 Professional Service Award, Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington
  • 2022 Certificate of Appreciation, American Board of Ophthalmology
  • 2014-2022 Top Doctor, Washingtonian Magazine

Ratings and reviews

  • Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

    4.9
  • Extent to which the care provider listened to you

    4.9
  • Care provider’s discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

    4.9
  • Provider included you in decisions

    4.8
  • Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

    4.9
  • Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

    4.9
  • Jun 6, 2026

    Dr. Lustbader is an excellent physician - he is caring, professional, decisive and helpful. I am so happy to have found him as a member of my care team and am glad he his back. Please GUH Medstar - give him recognition or an award!

  • Jun 4, 2026

    Dr Lustbader was excellent in every way. He listened attentively, answered all my questions, addressed my concerns In a compassionate and professional way, and offered important and helpful insights about the procedure. It was my first visit with him and I found him to be a consummate professional.

  • Jun 4, 2026

    I highly recommend Dr. Lustbader.