Steven Awner, MD

STEVEN AWNER, MD
OFFICE SCHEDULE

Tuesday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm - Williamsville
Thursday (every other): 8:00 am - 4:00 pm - Niagara Falls
Thursday (every other): 8:00 am - 3:30 pm - Williamsville
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:30 pm - Williamsville

PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGIST
Steven Awner, MD

A graduate of Brown University, Dr. Awner pursued his medical studies at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. He is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist with sub-specialty training in Pediatric Ophthalmology, Adult Strabismus (misaligned eyes) and Neuro-Ophthalmology. He completed Ophthalmology Residency training at SUNY Buffalo and post-graduate Fellowship training at the Duke University Eye Center. He then joined the full time faculty of the Jacobs School of Medicine in 1994 where he practiced and mentored over 25 Ophthalmology Residents and a Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellow during his nine year tenure.

He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and volunteer faculty member who trains and lectures Pediatric Residents and Neonatology Fellows, as well as Ophthalmology residents. Since 2006, he has served as the Medical Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Oishei Children's Hospital (OCH) where he continues to perform complex ocular surgeries as well as treat premature infants in the Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). He coordinates Emergency Trauma Attending coverage at the designated Level 1 OCH Trauma Center. He is a member of both the OCH Surgical Advisory and Physician Leadership committees.

Dr. Awner specializes in complex pediatric ophthalmic conditions and works closely with other pediatric sub-specialists at OCH including Pediatric Neurosurgeons, Neurologists, Rheumatologists, Endocrinologists, Geneticists, Autism and Developmental specialists, along with others. He is Consulting Ophthalmologist for the multi-disciplinary Craniofacial team, Neurofibromatosis and Neuro-Oncology services.

He is active in clinical research, participating in several NIH and Children's Oncology Group studies as well as pharmaceutical trials with the Adult Neurologists at Dent. He has participated in many of the national clinical trials involving Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Dr. Awner was part of the original Amblyopia Treatment Study (ATS) coordinated by the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group (PEDIG). He has expertise in children with nystagmus, congenital anomalies, low vision, cataracts, glaucoma, orbital tumors, nasolacrimal disorders, ptosis (droopy eyelids) in addition to amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus. He is known for his ability to care for children with special needs.

Dr. Awner has lectured nationally and internationally and is a past President of the New York State Ophthalmology Society (NYSOS) and remains an active board member. He has received Achievement and Honor Awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). He served as an AAO Councilor for two terms and is an alumnus of the AAO Leadership Development Program. He has been an active member on several committees for the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) as well as a member of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS), Buffalo Ophthalmological Society and the Buffalo Pediatric Society.

Dr. Awner was an area chair and interviewed for the Brown University Alumni Association for over 25 years. He and his wife Maxine chaired the Make-A-Wish gala in 2019 and he is a member of the Jewish Federation of Buffalo Board of Governors. Dr. Awner resides in Williamsville. His family has rescued four dogs over the past 15 years. He enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his two adult daughters.