David Della Rocca, MD
Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgeon & Comprehensive Opthalmologist
My Role at MSKWe post reviews for MSK healthcare providers who have at least 30 patient experience surveys completed. If you do not see reviews for a provider, it may be because they do not yet have enough survey responses, or the provider may not be part of the group of healthcare providers included in the survey.
Only outpatient providers are included in the survey. Healthcare providers who only work in the hospital or in urgent care are not included in the survey. Pathologists or researchers who do not provide direct care to patients do not have reviews.
Areas of Expertise
My Specialties
- Evaluation, Management, and Surgical Treatments of Eyelid, Lacrimal, and Orbital Abnormalities
- Skin Cancer of the Eyelids
- Orbital Tumors
Request an Appointment
About Me
- Associate Attending Surgeon
I have had the great opportunity to practice in a field that I love for the last 15 years. I trained in ophthalmology at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary from 2000 to 2003. During that time, I recognized that I love to effect change with my hands as well as my mind.
I was drawn to the creativity and process of plastic surgery, so I pursued further training in an oculoplastics fellowship. I’ve had great mentors and powers of example: My grandfather was an ophthalmologist in the Bronx following his time as a doctor in France during World War II, and my father is still practicing as a nationally recognized practitioner in the field of oculoplastics and orbital surgery. In fact, I did much of my training with my father, and we worked together in private practice for many years.
Read more
I find that the most rewarding and challenging part of my career is related to the care of patients with cancer around the eye. The sensitive nature of this area is rarely considered until someone experiences a problem. Dealing with oncological issues can be overwhelming, so I do my best to help patients understand their diagnosis — knowledge tends to help ease the mind. At the same time, I know from my own experience with cancer that we are all different in the way that we approach these life-changing moments.
I am so grateful to do the work that I do. My time in the operating room, where I am able to be relaxed and focused on the job at hand, is some of the best time in my life. I seek to reassure patients that their comfort is of major import to me.
Outside of the hospital, I am busy helping to raise three beautiful children, working to stay healthy, and doing my best to stay connected to my larger community. I enjoy regular surgical mission work outside of the country, and I try to support and stay involved with local volunteerism.
An oculoplastic and orbital surgeon is a doctor with special training in surgery on the structures of the eye. This includes the eyelids, orbit (eye socket), and tear drainage system.
A comprehensive ophthalmologist (OF-thul-MAH-loh-jist) is a doctor with special training in eye diseases and eye surgery. They also prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses.
My Specialties
- Evaluation, Management, and Surgical Treatments of Eyelid, Lacrimal, and Orbital Abnormalities
- Skin Cancer of the Eyelids
- Orbital Tumors
- Eyelid Malpositions
- Lacrimal System/Duct Blockages
- Eyelid and Orbital Inflammatory Disease
- Periocular Abnormalities from Surgery and Disease
- Repair of Orbital Trauma (Orbital Fractures)
- Cosmetic Concerns of the Eyelids
- Thyroid Eye Disease
Education
- MD, Creighton University School of Medicine
Residencies
- Ophthalmology - The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
Awards and Honors
- Castle Connolly: America’s Top Doctor (2024)
- Top Doctors New York Metro Area, Castle Connolly (2023)
- Castle Connolly: America's Top Doctors (2023)
Fellowships
- Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery - The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary
Board Certifications
- Ophthalmology
Insurance Information
Understanding your insurance options is an important part of managing your cancer care. We have relationships with many common healthcare providers and plans.
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO PPO, POS
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, HMO
MSK has a tentative agreement with Cigna to continue coverage in 2024.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Emblem to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
PPO
In Network Coverage Type
HMO, EPO
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Fidelis to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO, HMO, PPO, POS
Offers a qualified health plan from the Health Insurance Marketplace. Call Healthfirst to learn more.
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
EPO
In Network Coverage Type
Federal Government
In Network Coverage Type
PPO, POS, EPO, HMO
In Network Coverage Type
State Government
Don't see your carrier or plan? We can help you understand your coverage.
If you don't have health insurance or are worried that your care may not be fully covered, our financial assistance programs may be able to help.
If you have questions about insurance, call us at 646-497-9176.
Make an Appointment
New Patients
Current Patients
Contact and Location
Dr. Della Rocca sees patients at one location.
Looking to see a doctor at a different location? See all MSK locations.
Colleagues
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering work as teams, with specialists from all different areas. This allows us to consider all your needs together, and to give you the best possible care.
Clinical Trials
Memorial Sloan Kettering's doctors and scientists are constantly developing new treatments for cancer. MSK is typically running hundreds of clinical trials at a given time.
You may be able to participate in a clinical trial even if you are new to MSK. Search our online directory to find trial information and see more about who can participate.
Search clinical trialsResearch and Publications
Visit PubMed for a full listing of Dr. Della Rocca’s journal articles. Pubmed is an online index of research papers and other articles from the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
See all on PubMedPatient Reviews
Your trust is our main concern
We strive to keep reviews trustworthy, honest and fair. Learn more about our patient experience reviews.
Disclosures
Doctors and faculty members often work with pharmaceutical, device, biotechnology, and life sciences companies, and other organizations outside of MSK, to find safe and effective cancer treatments, to improve patient care, and to educate the health care community.
MSK requires doctors and faculty members to report (“disclose”) the relationships and financial interests they have with external entities. As a commitment to transparency with our community, we make that information available to the public.
David Della Rocca discloses the following relationships and financial interests:
No disclosures meeting criteria for time period
If you’re a patient at MSK and would like more information about your doctor’s external relationships, please talk with your doctor.
The information published here is for a specific annual disclosure period. There may be differences between information on this and other public sites as a result of different reporting periods and/or the various ways relationships and financial interests are categorized by organizations that publish such data.
This page and data include information for a specific MSK annual disclosure period (January 1, 2022 through disclosure submission in spring 2023). This data reflects interests that may or may not still exist. This data is updated annually.
Learn more about MSK’s COI policies here. For questions regarding MSK’s COI-related policies and procedures, email MSK’s Compliance Office at [email protected].