Scott N. Grossman, MD

I’ve always been interested in the brain. Both my father and grandfather were physicians and investigators who kindled my interest in science and medicine. I studied neuroscience in college and eventually went to medical school, where amazing mentors encouraged my enthusiasm for neurology and ophthalmology. A neuro-ophthalmology elective in my fourth year turned out to be a defining moment in the trajectory of my career.

As a neuro-ophthalmologist, I have the joy and privilege of evaluating people who have challenges with the way the eyes and brain work together to experience the visual world. People are referred to me for various reasons, including unexplained vision loss, double vision, visual manifestations of neurologic disease, and problems with eye movement. I also have specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and seizure disorders.

Neuro-ophthalmology is a unique, anatomically based subspecialty, and the therapies we offer depend on the reason for referral. For example, someone with double vision may benefit from prism glasses. If multiple sclerosis (MS) is causing a vision problem, I work closely with clinicians at NYU Langone’s Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center on medication management and monitoring. When surgery is the best option, I consult with the neurosurgeon or ophthalmologist to ensure the best outcome.

Good communication is really important in our field, especially for rare and unusual conditions. Collaborating with colleagues across the health system—including those in neurology, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, endocrinology, and rheumatology—helps to guide treatment and optimize patient care. I also spend time helping patients and their families understand the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Neuro-ophthalmologists tend to be educators, and I’m proud to join that tradition. As part of the academic faculty at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, I have received teaching awards from both the residents and medical students. I am also intimately involved in preparing our neuro-ophthalmology fellows for independent practice.

My research focuses on the ways that the eye can teach us about neurologic disease. This includes measuring how the eye moves and how structures like the optic nerve and retina change over time. Eye movements may one day provide important information on how well medicines are working for neurodegenerative or neuroinflammatory conditions. I am also working with my colleagues in the Department of Neurology to imagine ways to use technology and telehealth to enhance in-person and remote care.