Find a Specialist

Dr. Jennifer Park is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained cornea specialist who manages corneal disorders and cataracts using modern medical and surgical techniques. She also practices comprehensive ophthalmology and sees patients through Downstate’s faculty practice. In addition to caring for patients, she teaches and helps train future ophthalmologists. Dr. Park treats a broad range of corneal conditions, including infections, keratoconus, corneal edema, pterygium, autoimmune corneal disease, dry eye, and allergy-related eye disease. Her surgical care includes multiple forms of corneal transplantation—such as DMEK, DSAEK, DALK, and penetrating keratoplasty—as well as keratoprosthesis implantation. She also performs cataract surgery, including toric and multifocal lens implantation, and refractive surgery.

Dr. Avrey Thau is a cornea and external disease specialist who treats complex disorders of the ocular surface and anterior segment. He sees patients for dry eye and ocular surface disease, corneal scars and infections, keratoconus, and challenging cataracts, and offers advanced procedures such as endothelial and lamellar corneal transplantation and collagen cross-linking. His care style is detail-oriented and collaborative, with an emphasis on comfort, vision quality, and long-term eye health. Dr. Thau earned his MD at Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College (2019), completed ophthalmology residency at Indiana University School of Medicine (2023), and a fellowship at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University (2024). He brings academic training and modern surgical techniques to each visit, helping patients understand the “why” behind every recommendation and what to expect before, during, and after treatment.

Dr. Kai B. Kang is an ophthalmologist who specializes in corneal and external diseases and cataract surgery. He cares for patients with conditions affecting the front of the eye, including corneal infections and inflammation, corneal dystrophies and degenerations, and disorders of the eyelid and conjunctiva. He focuses on clear communication so patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect next. As a cornea and cataract surgeon, Dr. Kang’s surgical interests include cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, pterygium surgery, and treatment of ocular surface neoplasia. He earned a B.S. with honors in biochemistry and anthropology from Washington University in St. Louis and a medical doctorate with honors from Cornell University. He completed ophthalmology residency training at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago.

Dr. Rachel H. Epstein is a cornea specialist who cares for patients with complex corneal disease and vision problems that may benefit from refractive surgery. She enjoys solving challenging clinical cases and building long-term relationships with patients through careful, personalized care. Her work includes evaluating corneal clarity and shape, planning procedures to improve vision, and supporting patients through recovery and long-term follow-up. Dr. Epstein earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, completed medical school at the Chicago Medical School, and trained in ophthalmology at Rush University Medical Center. Her academic interests include endothelial keratoplasty techniques, topography-guided laser vision correction, and corneal cross-linking for corneal ectasia.

Dr. Dylan Stevens is a leader in cataract and corneal surgery, specializing in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery with a focus on corneal transplantation and cataract surgery. He serves patients in the Chicagoland area and beyond at Advanced Eye Care. Originally from Bridgewater, New Jersey, Dr. Stevens attended Boston University for his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, where he developed a strong interest in medical technology. He obtained his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and pursued ophthalmology residency at New York University. His training was completed with a fellowship in cornea and external disease at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Stevens is committed to managing diverse patient groups with complex pathology, offering expert care for corneal and anterior segment conditions. He resides in the Chicagoland area and is dedicated to providing attentive and educational patient experiences.

Dr. Carter Kirk is a board-certified ophthalmologist and cornea specialist at Kirk Eye Center. He treats corneal disease and external eye disease and performs small-incision cataract surgery with artificial intraocular lens implantation to help patients achieve clearer vision. He works closely with patients to create personalized plans that fit their goals, lifestyle, and comfort. Dr. Kirk earned his undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary and attended medical school at Georgetown University. He completed ophthalmology residency training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Callahan Eye Hospital and pursued fellowship training in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery at Eye Consultants of Atlanta. He is involved in clinical research and has presented at national meetings, including ARVO and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Andrea Arteaga is a board-certified ophthalmologist who brings a global perspective and deep commitment to patient care. She began her medical journey at the prestigious Luis Razetti School of Medicine in Venezuela and completed her initial ophthalmology training in Caracas, where she was actively involved in serving underserved communities. Her dedication to advancing her skills brought her to Chicago, where she pursued specialized training in cornea and ocular surface diseases. Dr. Arteaga completed a clinical research fellowship in Cornea and Ocular Surface at the University of Illinois in Chicago, followed by a residency at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary and a Cornea and External Disease Fellowship at the same institution. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she effectively communicates with patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her highest interest is to preserve, restore, and improve her patients' vision to help them achieve all their visual goals.

Dr. Aaron D. Dotson is an ophthalmologist whose practice centers on cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, and the care of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the eye. He is committed to surgical precision and clear communication, making sure every patient understands their diagnosis, options, and recovery plan. In addition to his clinical work, he enjoys teaching and regularly mentors medical students and residents, bringing the latest evidence and techniques into day-to-day care. Away from clinic, Dr. Dotson is a classically trained pianist and multi-instrumentalist, a discipline that informs his thoughtful, detail-oriented approach in the operating room. His professional dedication has been recognized with advocacy honors from national ophthalmology organizations, and patients value his calm manner and focus on individualized outcomes. Whether addressing a complex corneal problem or planning routine cataract surgery, he aims to help each person see comfortably and confidently again.

Dr. Taylor Starnes, MD, PhD is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in comprehensive eye care, cataract surgery, and corneal disease. He partners closely with patients to plan cataract surgery that fits their visual goals, including options for astigmatism correction and presbyopia-correcting lenses. For appropriate candidates, he also offers laser-assisted cataract surgery. As a cornea specialist, Dr. Starnes cares for a wide range of ocular surface and corneal conditions and performs both partial- and full-thickness corneal transplants when needed. Dr. Starnes completed ophthalmology residency at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at UIC, where he served as co-chief resident, followed by a Cornea and External Disease fellowship at UIC. He earned both his MD and PhD at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His academic interests include improving treatment for inflammatory corneal disease, optimizing cataract surgery outcomes, and advancing surgical training for residents and fellows. Patients appreciate his clear explanations, shared decision-making, and steady follow-up.

Dr. Sherif Dawood is an ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, refractive, and cataract surgery. He performs standard and advanced cataract surgery, including premium intraocular lens options, and offers refractive procedures such as LASIK, PRK, limbal relaxing incisions, and corrective lens implantation. He also provides comprehensive corneal transplantation options for patients with corneal disease that affects vision. Dr. Dawood earned his medical degree at Cairo University and completed ophthalmology residency training at the National Eye Institute in Cairo. After moving to the United States, he completed an internal medicine residency and later trained in ophthalmology at John H. Stroger Hospital, where he also completed a cornea and refractive fellowship. He serves as a teaching attending and has participated in international volunteer missions.

A board-certified comprehensive ophthalmologist, this physician completed fellowship training in cornea, refractive surgery, and external disease at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary and has extensive experience with complex cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) procedures. Surgical interests and skills include laser-assisted cataract surgery, advanced technology lens implants, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgery, with a particular interest in treating dry eye disease. Medical training includes earning a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College, graduating cum laude and being elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Ophthalmology residency was completed at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, including service as Chief Resident. Professional activities described include publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at national conferences, along with membership in major ophthalmic societies, with an emphasis on patient-centered care.

Dr. Hajirah Saeed is a cornea and refractive surgeon with a special focus on caring for children and patients with complex corneal and ocular surface disease. She joined the University of Illinois Chicago Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in 2022 as a Visiting Associate Professor and serves as Associate Director of the Ocular Regenerative Medicine Fellowship. Dr. Saeed is internationally recognized for her work in Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and leads NIH-funded research focused on the genetics and epidemiology of SJS. She is also involved in developing new diagnostic approaches for corneal disease using machine learning, studying corneal collagen crosslinking in pediatric patients, and supporting sustainable eye banking efforts in the developing world. Her clinical care emphasizes careful evaluation, clear communication, and individualized treatment plans for patients with corneal infections, keratoconus, dry eye disease, corneal scarring, and other conditions affecting the front of the eye.