Dr. Dena Ballouz is a fellowship-trained cornea, external disease, and refractive surgeon with advanced expertise in complex corneal disease, cataract surgery, and modern refractive techniques. She will join Chicago Cornea Consultants in September 2026, bringing a strong academic foundation and a patient-centered approach to both medical and surgical ophthalmic care.

Dr. Ballouz completed her Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery Fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami, consistently ranked as the nation's #1 eye hospital. She completed her ophthalmology residency at the Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan, following an internal medicine preliminary year at the University of Michigan Health System. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, graduating in the top quartile with distinction in research, and graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan.

Clinically, Dr. Ballouz specializes in the diagnosis and management of corneal and ocular surface disease, cataract surgery, refractive surgery, keratoconus, corneal cross-linking, and complex anterior segment pathology. She is known for integrating evidence-based medicine with emerging technologies to deliver personalized, high-quality care.

She is a nationally recognized researcher with an extensive record of peer-reviewed publications in leading ophthalmology journals, including Cornea, Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology, and Ophthalmology Science. Her research interests include microbial keratitis, corneal transplantation, surgical outcomes, and the application of artificial intelligence to ophthalmology. She has presented her work at major national and international meetings, including ARVO, ASCRS, AAO, and the World Cornea Congress.

Dr. Ballouz is board-eligible by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is passionate about delivering thoughtful, compassionate care while advancing the field of cornea and refractive surgery. In her free time, she enjoys running and spending time with friends and family.

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