If you walk into 13 Brunswick Woods Drive in East Brunswick, you might think you’ve accidentally stumbled into a fever dream or a Mardi Gras warehouse explosion. It’s definitely not your typical sterile, white-walled medical facility. Instead, you’re greeted by thousands of dolls, masks, crystals, and trinkets that cover every square inch of the ceiling and walls.
Honestly, some people just turn around and walk right back out. They ask the receptionist if the doctor is crazy.
But if you stay, you’re being treated by Mark Leitman East Brunswick, a man who is arguably one of the most over-qualified ophthalmologists in the country. He’s been practicing for over 50 years. He literally wrote the book on eye exams—the one used by tens of thousands of medical students worldwide.
The contrast is wild. You have this world-class scholar who conducts business in a room that looks like a "jewelry box of everything," as he calls it.
The Man Behind the Manual
Dr. Mark Leitman isn't just a local eye doctor. He’s an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. While he was still a resident back in the 70s, he published the first edition of the Manual for Eye Examination and Diagnosis.
It wasn't a fluke.
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Today, that book is in its 10th edition. It has been translated into nearly a dozen languages including Russian, Greek, and Chinese. He has donated tens of thousands of copies to medical students. Most doctors are happy to just pass their boards; Leitman wrote the material everyone else uses to pass theirs.
He’s a Pinnacle Lifetime Achiever. He was the captain of his wrestling team at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He’s been named the #1 Ophthalmologist in New Jersey multiple times. Basically, the guy is a high-achiever in every sense of the word.
Why the "Weird" Office?
You’ve gotta wonder why a guy with these credentials wants to work in a "funhouse."
It started with a single crystal from Colombia about 50 years ago. Then came the sulfur crystals from Caribbean volcanoes. Then the dolls. Then the masks. For Leitman, the office is a museum of his life and travels. It’s "unapologetically Bohemian."
He says he’s never unhappy.
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There’s a deeper layer to this, too. In the early 1980s, Leitman was a major environmental activist in Middlesex County. He served as the Chairman of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission. He fought against toxic waste hazards and worked to stop developers from building on local wetlands.
Some people think the collection is a distraction. For his long-term patients—some who have been seeing him for over 20 years—it’s just part of the charm. It makes a stressful eye exam feel a bit more like a treasure hunt.
What Mark Leitman East Brunswick Actually Specializes In
Beyond the decor, the clinical work is serious. He handles the stuff most people ignore until it’s an emergency.
- Floaters and Flashes: He treats these at a high volume, helping patients determine if they’re seeing "normal" age-related spots or signs of a retinal tear.
- Glaucoma Research: Early in his career, he received a $600,000 grant from the National Eye Institute for glaucoma research. He’s not just treating it; he helped define how we understand it.
- Eye Reflexes: In 2016, he published a paper describing five new eye reflexes. He linked things like fear and concentration to specific ocular responses.
He’s affiliated with JFK University Medical Center and St. Peter’s University Hospital. If you need a cataract surgeon, he’s the guy who knows exactly who the best surgeons are because he’s been in the network for half a century.
Real Patient Experiences
Reviews for the practice are usually polarizing.
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People love the staff. Receptionists like Terry Hadzimichalis have been there for over 25 years. That kind of loyalty is rare in modern medicine. Patients often mention that he isn't a "price gouger." He’s known for being honest about whether you actually need a procedure or if you’re just fine.
The "Weird NJ" fame is real. He’s been featured on the Travel Channel and in Weird N.J. magazine.
If you are the type of person who needs a corporate, "Sanitized for your Protection" vibe, you will hate it here. If you want a doctor who has seen every possible eye condition ten times over and has a sense of humor, he’s your guy.
Actionable Insights for Patients
If you’re planning to visit Dr. Leitman, keep these things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Look Past the Clutter: Don't let the dolls scare you. Focus on the fact that you're being seen by an Assistant Professor who has 50+ years of clinical data in his head.
- Ask About the Manual: If you're a student or just curious, ask about his Manual for Eye Examination and Diagnosis. It’s a goldmine of information.
- Prepare for a Wait: Like many high-level specialists who take their time with patients, the schedule can occasionally run behind.
- Verify Insurance: His practice, Mark W. Leitman MD FACS PA, is generally good with insurance, but always call (732) 254-9090 to confirm they still take your specific plan before you drive down.
The reality of Mark Leitman East Brunswick is that he represents a dying breed of "old school" medicine mixed with high-level academia. He’s a reminder that a doctor can be brilliant, eccentric, and deeply committed to his community all at once.
If you need a routine check-up or you're worried about persistent floaters, schedule an appointment but leave your expectations of a "normal" office at the door. Check your insurance coverage first, and make sure to bring a list of your current medications, as he is known for being extremely thorough with how systemic health affects your vision.