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Dr. Levi Kanu
Ophthalmology – Cornea Specialist
Elite TrainingBoard Certified / Board Eligible
Areas of Expertise
Corneal Transplantation and Ocular Surface Surgery
Cataract Surgery With Advanced Lens Options
Diagnosis and Treatment of Corneal Diseases
Corneal Crosslinking for Keratoconus
Research in Ocular Drug Delivery
About Me
Dr. Levi Kanu is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist with expertise in corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, refractive procedures, and the treatment of complex ocular surface diseases. He combines surgical excellence with a commitment to advancing ocular drug delivery through translational research.
Dr. Kanu earned his undergraduate degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Johns Hopkins University and completed his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to train in ophthalmology at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, followed by a prestigious cornea fellowship.
As a clinician-scientist and NIH/NEI-funded K12 Vision Scholar, Dr. Kanu’s research focuses on innovative treatments for corneal disease, including drug delivery technologies targeting conditions like neurotrophic keratopathy. His goal is to bridge laboratory discoveries with real-world impact, bringing meaningful therapies to patients with vision-threatening disorders.
Dr. Kanu is passionate about delivering compassionate, evidence-based care while advancing the science of ophthalmology through thoughtful innovation.
Training
Cornea and External DiseaseMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Harvard Medical School)Fellowship2022
OpthalmologyUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine (Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary)Residency2020
Medical Doctor (MD)University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of MedicineMedical School2016
BS, Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringJohns Hopkins UniversityUndergraduate2011
Awards & Honors
K12 Physician Scientist Award
National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute, Mass Eye and Ear2022Heed Fellowship
Heed Ophthalmic Foundation2021Alcon Research Scholarship
Alcon Research Institute2020Beem-Fisher Research Award
Chicago Ophthalmological Society2020Norman P. Blair Research Award
University of Illinois at Chicago2020
Publications, Presentations & Press
- Sociodemographic predictors of acute corneal hydrops in patients with unstable keratoconusMedrxiv2025
- Ocular tear fluid biomarkers collected by contact lenses.Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications2024
- Proteomic Characterization of Corneal Epithelial and Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.International Journal of Molecular Sciences2024
Certifications & Licensure
- Licensed In:MA
- License Numbers:282765
- Board Certifications:American Board of Ophthalmology