Dr. Bernstein graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University, where he also received his M.D. and Ph.D. in pharmacology. After interning at New England Deaconess Hospital, he completed an Ophthalmology residency and a fellowship in retinal cell biology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute of UCLA School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery and research at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. During his residency in Ophthalmology at Jules Stein, he was a recipient of the Jules Stein Resident Research Award.