Dimitri T. Azar, MD, BA is Dean, College of Medicine, University of Illinois; Field Chair of Ophthalmologic Research; and Professor of Ophthalmology, Bioengineering, and Pharmacology at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary in Chicago. He is the author of Refractive Surgery, 3rd Edition.

Dr. Azar earned his BS/MD from American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and performed a residency at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, followed by a research fellowship in Cornea-Morphology at Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School and a clinical fellowship in Cornea and External Eye Disease at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. He also earned an executive MBA from the University of Chicago. Dr. Azar is board certified in ophthalmology and an internationally recognized ophthalmic surgeon.

He is a leader in basic science and clinically related vision research, making significant contributions to the treatment of corneal diseases and to advances in refractive surgery through mathematical analyses and applications of advanced optics. His basic science research on matrix metalloproteinases in corneal wound healing and angiogenesis has been continually funded by the National Eye Institute R01 award since 1993.

Dr. Azar is the author of more than 400 scientific articles and book chapters. He is the editor of 14 books in ophthalmology and holds 15 patents. He has been named one of The Best Doctors in America or recognized among Castle Connolly’s Regional Top Doctors in America annually since 1994. He serves as a trustee for the Chicago Ophthalmological Society and for the Association of Research and Vision in Ophthalmology. Dr. Azar has received multiple leadership awards, including the 2009 Lans Distinguished Award and the University of Illinois at Chicago Scholar Award.