Prof. Morris Hartstein is an internationally known surgeon, instructor, and innovator in the field of Ophthalmic, Plastic, Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery. He is dedicated to giving the highest quality of care to his pediatric and adult patients.
After completing internship at the world-renown Bellevue Hospital, Prof. Hartstein continued his residency in Ophthalmology at Bellevue and at New York University Hospital. He went on to complete a prestigious one-on-one fellowship at Harvard University’s Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary with Dr. Arthur Grove, one of the founding fathers of Oculoplastic Surgery.
In practice for over 20 years, Prof. Hartstein has performed over 10,000 eyelid and orbital surgeries, lectured worldwide, published several textbooks and has been the recipient of several awards in the field.
Qualifications
Prof. Hartstein is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and a member of:
- American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS).
- American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
- American College of Surgeons (the only one in Israel).
Specialized training
Ophthalmic plastic surgery deals with cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids and surrounding areas, including the forehead, eyebrows, upper lids, lower lids, and midface. It also includes reconstructive surgery of the tear duct and orbits (bones around the eyes).
A member of ASOPRS, Prof. Hartstein is one of only about 500 people worldwide who have completed an approved fellowship, passed written and oral examinations, and written a thesis relating to ophthalmic plastic surgery.
Prof. Hartstein’s thesis on metastatic tumors to the orbit won the prestigious ASOPRS research award.
Prof. Hartstein was the director of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Saint Louis University for eight years prior to moving to Israel. He also was a preceptor for an official ASOPRS-fellowship, one of about only 40 in the USA. At Saint Louis University, Prof. Hartstein also established a clinic dedicated exclusively to pediatric oculoplastics at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.
Prof. Hartstein was one of the youngest faculty members at Saint Louis University to be appointed Associate Professor with tenure, and the only one to have a joint appointment in both the departments of Ophthalmology and Plastic Surgery.
Prof. Hartstein is currently the director of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Assaf Harofeh Medical Center.
Innovator
Prof. Hartstein remains on the cutting edge of new surgical procedures and technological advancements.
-One of the first surgeons to use the balloon catheter to relieve tear duct obstructions
- Investigator in the development of several different orbital implants for eye-removal surgery.
- Principal investigator for Doxil, an alternative to Botox.
- Among the first to describe small-incision ptosisrepair surgical technique.
- The first to describe the use of melanoma vaccines for metastatic melanoma to the orbit.
- Among the first to describe endoscopic-assisted orbit fracture repair.
- Developed the “lift and fill” lower blepharoplasty, a new surgical technique for restoring the youthful eyelid.
- A pioneer in applying the beauty concept of “Phi” to eyelid surgery and fat transfer.
- The first ever and only surgeon in Israel to implant a magnetically-coupled prosthesis for total socket reconstruction.
Instructor and Author
An accomplished surgeon, Prof. Hartstein also teaches extensively. He regularly instructs residents in ophthalmic plastic surgery as well as being a former preceptor in an official ASOPRS-approved fellowship training program. In Israel, Prof. Hartstein has trained fellows from California, Cypress, Mexico, India, and Nepal. Prof. Hartstein has instructed over 400 physicians representing multiple specialties from all over the world in surgical and non-surgical techniques in facial rejuvenation and reconstruction as an annual director of cadaver workshops: “Advances in Cosmetic , Brow and Mid-Face Lift” and Advanced Flaps and Aesthetic Facial Reconstruction.”
Voted one of the “Best Doctors in America” by his peers, and listed as a Best Doctor by Forbes, Israel, Prof. Hartstein lectures regularly to Ophthalmologists and Oculoplastic Surgeons at the annual meetings of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS). His courses include: injection techniques for Botox, Restylane, and Juvederm, techniques in adult and pediatric (droopy eyelid) surgery, endoscopic brow lift surgery, flap techniques, and management of eyelid surgery complications.
Prof. Hartstein was also one of the youngest recipients of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award for his teaching contributions. In 2012 Prof. Hartstein was awarded the Senior Achievement Award by the American Academy of Ophthalmology for his continuing teaching contributions.
Prof. Hartstein is among a very select group of editors who compile the American Academy of Ophthalmology Basic and Clinical Science review manual on Orbit, Eyelids, and Lacrimal Surgery—the “bible” for ophthalmology residents worldwide.
Prof. Hartstein has given over 200 scientific lectures and authored over 100 scientific articles and book chapters. He has published 3 very popular textbooks: Pearls and Pitfalls in Cosmetic Oculoplastic Surgery (1st and 2nd editions, Springer) which emphasizes the critical points needed to achieve success in cosmetic oculoplastic surgery, and Midfacial Rejuvenation (Springer) the first book ever dedicated to this topic. Together Prof. Hartstein’s textbooks have sold over 35,000 copies.
