Dr. John Sapienza is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists since 1993, and he is the consultant veterinary ophthalmologist at the Bronx Zoo and N.Y. Aquarium. Dr. Sapienza is the head and department chairman of the ophthalmology department at Long Island Veterinary Specialists (LIVS) in Plainview, NY. Dr. Sapienza’s special interests are cataract surgery with phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, laser glaucoma therapy, glaucoma implants, and reconstructive eyelid procedures. He was the first veterinary ophthalmologist to perform phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in animals on Long Island, NY.

Dr. Sapienza was the first veterinary ophthalmologist in the U.S. to perform injectable foldable acrylic intraocular lens implants in dogs. He has conducted extensive studies on the effect of laser energy in eyes with glaucoma and has published several articles on glaucoma therapy, Golden Retriever (Pigmentary) uveitis, and ocular reports in exotic species.

Dr. Sapienza's special surgical interests include endolaser glaucoma therapy, glaucoma implants, vitreoretinal surgery with the repair of retinal detachments as well as cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants. Dr. Sapienza currently is the only veterinary ophthalmologist in the Northeast U.S. who performs repairs of detached retinas in dogs and has received referrals for retinal disorders from all over the country.

He has lectured extensively throughout the Continental U.S., Hawaii, Japan, Europe, and South America. Dr. Sapienza speaks fluent Spanish, and is a frequent lecturer in Spain, as well as North and South America, for interactive advanced courses in Spanish. Dr. Sapienza received national attention for his medical treatment of "Ashley" the cat, owned by Regis and Joy Philbin, resulting in an appearance on the "Live with Regis" show.

Dr. Sapienza is married to his lovely wife, Dr. Angels Prades-Sapienza, a veterinarian from Barcelona, Spain, and they have two wonderful children, Marc and Angelina. The Sapienza family enjoys their extended pet family of three dogs and laying hens. Dr. Sapienza enjoys traveling with his family and in his downtime, tending to his garden, fig trees, and grapevines.