
Dr. Joseph Muscente, OD MS, FAAO
Optometrist
355 Bard Ave Staten Island NY, 10310About
Dr. Muscente is a graduate of the SUNY College of Optometry in 1994. After completing a residency at the FDR VA Hospital in Montrose, New York, Dr. Muscente worked for the New York Harbor Health Care System as well as the SUNY College of Optometry where he is currently an adjunt assistant clinical professor. Currently, Dr. Muscente is an attending optometrist and Director of Student Externships for Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, New York.
Education and Training
SUNY College of Optometry (OD) Doctor of Optometry 1994
Board Certification
National Board of Examiners in Optometry
Provider Details

Dr. Joseph Muscente, OD MS, FAAO's Expert Contributions
Signs of An Eye Emergency
Working in a Level 1 Trauma Center has certainly "opened my eyes" to ocular emergencies. Very often, patients experiencing an ocular emergency aren't aware of the emergency and neglect time sensitive care which can often result in permanent vision loss. Symptoms can often be vague and vary in...
Is a cataract serious?
Cataract is a normal aging change in most cases. If it affects your vision it can be removed relatively quickly and safely. READ MORE
Can cataracts be fixed without surgery?
unfortunately no sometimes in early cataracts, we can manage the blur with glasses or contacts READ MORE
Can glasses cause headaches?
yes, if the prescription is not correct READ MORE
Should I wear glasses with astigmatism?
If you have astigmatism, yes READ MORE
What can I do with my eye strain?
depends on the cause needs to be evaluated by an eye doc READ MORE
Can wearing contacts damage your eyes?
YEs, contact lenses are medical devices and if not worn properly and cared for can cause permanent damage to the eye READ MORE
What should you not do when wearing contacts?
swim, sleep with your lenses, no hot tubs READ MORE
How long should I rest my eyes from contacts?
what kind of symptoms? READ MORE
Can eye strain be fixed with eye drops?
usually not READ MORE
Can I wear sunglasses with contacts?
sunglasses should be worn outside with or without contacts READ MORE
Eye Problem
that needs to be seen READ MORE
Can keratoconus be stopped?
Early stages can be treated with glasses, but with progression of the disease into late childhood and early adulthood, corneal transplantation may be needed to restore sight. Corneal collagen cross-linking is a procedure designed to stop the progression of keratoconus or slow it down. READ MORE
Eye problem
needs to be seen READ MORE
Is Lasik surgery safe for the retina?
A thorough retinal exam prior to lasik is always advised. There are some retinal contraindications to lasik. READ MORE
Muddy Sclera
Non-white scleras can be normal or a sign of systemic disease. I would recommend getting it checked. READ MORE
Swollen upper eyelid
usually not, most likely a clogged gland and stye. needs to be seen by a doc READ MORE
Can Lasik fix astigmatism?
Yes, most of the time, It depends on the amount of astigmatism READ MORE
Can myopia glasses damage my eyes?
nope that's an old wives tale... READ MORE
Cat licked my eyeball
I would have it checked for sure. Most of the times we photograph and measure these types of things to make sure they aren't growing or changing in size. READ MORE
How long is recovery from LASIK?
Most people take a day or two. Of course, if there are complications, it could take longer READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Adjunct Professor SUNY College of Optometry 2023 - Present
Awards
- New York's Top Docs 2024 2024 New York Magazine
- Top Doctors in Westchester, New York 2010 Westchester Magazine
Professional Memberships
- Member, Society of Ocular Trauma
- Fellow, American Academy of Optometry
Fellowships
- Fellow, American Academy of Optometry
Professional Society Memberships
- New Jersey Optometric AssociationSociety of Ocular Trauma
Articles and Publications
- Textbook Publication: Complex Cases in Ophthalmology. Muscente, J, Khasnabish, I, Chepuwa, T.Textbook co-author highlighting complex ocular cases seen in clinic.Chapters Written:oOrbital Compartment SyndromeoComplex Orbital FracturesoAntiphospholipid SyndromeoBehcets DiseaseoPapilledema and Venous Sinus ThrombosisoConjunctival Injuries and LacerationsoOptometrists Guide To ImagingoOptometrists Guide To Ordering Blood WorkPublication: Do Not Fall for This; Diagnostic Challenges in Orbital Floor Fractures With Extraocular Muscle Entrapment. Cureus 15(2): e35268. doi:10.7759/cureus.35268. Kumar S, Artymowicz A, Muscente J, et al. (February 21, 2023).Lecture: Ocular Emergencies and Trauma. November 2023.SUNY College of Optometry: Residents Friday Program American Academy of Optometry, New Jersey Chapter. 2023Lecture: Orbital Fractures. January 2022.SUNY College of Optometry: Residents Friday Program LecturePoster: Exacerbation of Herpes Simplex Keratitis from Latanoprost UseAcademy of Optometry, 2010.
What do you attribute your success to?
- I attribute my success to working hard and always striving to be better than the day before.
Areas of research
- More efficient ways to better serve ocular trauma patients
Philanthropic Initiatives
- VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services To Mankind), Doctor's Without Borders
Teaching and speaking
- Lecturer-New Jersey Optometric Association: Lecture of Ocular Emergencies and Trauma-SUNY College of Optometry: Ocular Trauma-The Primary Care of Red Eyes for Medical Students and Primary Care Physicians (Richmond University Medical Center)-Sleep Apnea and Glaucoma (Richmond University Medical Center)
Favorite Place to Vacation
- Anywhere with a beach
Hobbies / Sports
- piano, WWII buff, foodie
Favorite professional publications
- Journal of Medical Optometry
Dr. Joseph Muscente, OD MS, FAAO's Practice location
Richmond University Medical Center
355 Bard Ave -Staten Island, NY 10310Get Direction
Request An Appointment With Dr. Joseph Muscente, OD MS, FAAO | Optometrist
Please note that this request is not considered final until you receive email notification confirming the details.
In the event the doctor is not yet registered with FindaTopDoc, we will contact the office on your behalf in an effort to secure your appointment.
Dr. Joseph Muscente, OD MS, FAAO's reviews
Write ReviewRecommended Articles
- What are the Causes and Symptoms of Pink Eye?
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is a contagious eye condition caused by the inflammation and infection of the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is the transparent membrane covering the white part of the eye and the eyeball. Infection and swelling of the the mucous membrane becomes reddish, and the entire...
- What Could a Swollen Eyelid Mean?
Your eyelid’s skin is stretchy and loose with a thickness of less than 1 mm. Your eyelids can swell if there is a buildup of fluid in the tissues that surround your eyes.In most cases, swollen eyelids are not a cause for concern and can return back to its normal shape and size after a few days....
- Eyelid Twitching and Stress
What is eyelid twitching?Eyelid twitching or myokymia is an involuntary eyelid spasm. The upper lid is usually affected, but spasms can also occur in the lower lid or both lids. Eyelid twitching is often mild for most people. However, others may experience stronger spasms, which may force their lids...
- What are Bilateral Cataracts?
The lenses of healthy eyes are usually clear. Cataracts occur when a person's lenses become cloudy and opaque. Cataracts can affect both eyes at the same time, called bilateral cataracts. Bilateral cataracts are very common, but cataracts must occur on their own and cannot spread from one eye to the...
- What Is Double Vision?
What is Double Vision?Seeing two images of the same object displaced horizontally or vertically is known as double vision or diplopia. While most of the cases of double vision are not serious, some need to be treated quickly. There are three categories of diplopia:...
- Everything You Need to Know About Cataract Surgery
What is a cataract?Sometimes there is a clouding of the lens in the eye; this clouding is called a cataract. Mostly, this clouding is related to old age. In fact, the majority of Americans aged 80 and above have experienced this clouding or have already undergone a cataract surgery at a particular...
Nearby Providers
- Dr. Ronald Fox O.D.80 S River St Hackensack NJ 07601
- Steffani Tiomno3111 US 9 North Old Bridge NJ 08857
- Laila Machado-Colicchio4 Ethel rd Edison NJ 08817
- Dr. Anthony Rusignuolo O.D.15 Franklin Pl Rutherford NJ 07070
- Dr. Adelina Volis OD25 5th Ave New York NY 10003
- Dr. Alfonso C. Bullock O.D.1 Garden State Plaza Paramus NJ 07650
Nearest Hospitals
CAREPOINT HEALTH - BAYONNE MEDICAL CENTERl
29 EAST 29TH ST BAYONNE NJ 7002STATEN ISLAND UNIVERSITY HOSPITALl
475 SEAVIEW AVENUE STATEN ISLAND NY 10305