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Dr. Levi KanuElite TrainingBoard Certified / Board Eligible
Ophthalmology – Cornea Specialist
Boston, MA
Clinical Focus & Services
What I Focus On
Corneal Transplantation and Ocular Surface SurgeryCataract Surgery With Advanced Lens OptionsRefractive Surgery Including LASIK and PRKDiagnosis and Treatment of Corneal DiseasesCorneal Crosslinking for KeratoconusResearch in Ocular Drug DeliveryManagement of Neurotrophic KeratopathyTranslational Science in Vision Care
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 FellowshipMassachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Harvard Medical School) · 2022Fellowship
- Opthalmology ResidencyUniversity of Illinois College of Medicine (Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary) · 2020Residency
- Medical Doctor (MD)University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine · 2016Medical School
- BS, Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringJohns Hopkins University · 2011Undergraduate
Awards & Honors
K12 Physician Scientist Award
National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute, Mass Eye and Ear
2022
Heed Fellowship
Heed Ophthalmic Foundation
2021
Alcon Research Scholarship
Alcon Research Institute
2020
Beem-Fisher Research Award
Chicago Ophthalmological Society
2020
Norman P. Blair Research Award
University of Illinois at Chicago
2020
Publications, Presentations & Press
- Ocular tear fluid biomarkers collected by contact lenses.Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·2024
- Proteomic Characterization of Corneal Epithelial and Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.International Journal of Molecular Sciences·2024