Leejee Han Suh, MD
Overview
Leejee H. Suh, M.D., the Miranda Wong Tang Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, is the Director of the Cornea Service at Columbia University's Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute. She also heads the Laser Vision Center. Her surgical specialties include femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, phacoemulsification cataract surgery, LASIK (Laser Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis), PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy), PTK (Phototherapeutic Keratectomy), and full and partial corneal transplantation.
She received her undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) and her medical degree from the New York University (N.Y.U.) School of Medicine. She completed her ophthalmology residency at the Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins Medical Center and received her fellowship training at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami Hospitals, where she was a faculty member in the Division of Cornea and Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Suh brings to Columbia her experience from the top ophthalmological institutions in the country, with an extensive background in cataract, corneal, and refractive surgery. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on corneal conditions and is active in clinical research. Her clinical research interests are in keratoconus research and treatments, namely Corneal Collagen Crosslinking. She has been the Principal Investigator for the Corneal Collagen Crosslinking trial for the treatment of keratoconus and post-refractive surgery ectasia at Columbia University. For her work in keratoconus, Dr. Suh has been named a Top Doctor for the National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF). She was instrumental in the early studies of a newer type of partial corneal transplantation, called endothelial keratoplasty, which includes Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK) and Descemet’s Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), both of which have dramatically changed the face of surgical treatments for corneal diseases.
As a cornea-refractive surgeon by training, she is an expert in the latest in cataract surgery called femtosecond-laser assisted cataract surgery, in which a femtosecond laser can make precise and customized corneal and lens incisions for cataract surgery, which is combined with implantation of standard monofocal, toric, and multifocal/trifocal intraocular lens implants. With her extensive experience in corneal surgery, she is also an expert in laser vision correction and keratorefractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, and PTK).
Dr. Suh has been certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She has presented at the annual meetings of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Asian-Pacific Association for Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (APACRS), and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). She is an active reviewer for such journals as Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology, Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, Eye, and Cornea. Dr. Suh continues to lecture nationally and internationally on her research and experience.
Areas of Expertise / Conditions Treated
- Anterior Segment Surgery
- Cataract
- Corneal Cross-Linking
- Corneal Disorders
- Cornea Transplant
- Laser Refractive Surgery
- Laser Surgery
- Laser Vision Correction
- Laser Vision Correction Surgery
- LASIK Surgery
- Pterygium
- Refractive Eye Surgery
Academic Appointments
- Miranda Wong Tang Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at CUMC
Administrative Titles
- Director, Refractive Surgery Service
- Director, Cornea Fellowship Program
- Director, Cornea Service
Hospital Affiliations
- NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University Irving Medical Center
Languages
- Korean
Gender
- Female
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Phone Appointments
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Location(s)
Insurance Accepted
Aetna
- Aetna Signature Administrators
- EPO
- NYP Employee Plan
- NY Signature
- POS
- Student Health
Affinity Health Plan
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
AgeWell
- Medicare Managed Care
- Special Needs
Amerigroup of New Jersey
- New Jersey Services (Medicaid Managed Care)
Cigna
- EPO
- Great West (National)
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
Emblem/GHI
- Medicare Managed Care
- PPO
Emblem/HIP
- ConnectiCare
- EPO
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicare Managed Care
- POS
- PPO
- Select Care (Exchange)
- Vytra
Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield
- HMO
- PPO
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthPlus
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
Fidelis Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicare Managed Care
Healthfirst
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Leaf (Exchange)
- Medicare Managed Care
Local 1199
- Local 1199
MagnaCare (National)
- MagnaCare
Medicare
- Railroad
- Traditional Medicare
Multiplan
- Multiplan
MVP Health Care
- Child/Family Health Plus
- Essential Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid Managed Care
Quality Health Management
- Quality Health Management
RiverSpring
- Special Needs
UnitedHealthcare
- Compass (Exchange)
- Empire Plan
- HMO
- Medicaid (Community Plan)
- Oxford Freedom
- Oxford HMO
- Oxford Liberty
- POS
- PPO
WellCare
- Medicare Managed Care
World Trade Center Health Plan
- World Trade Center Health Plan
Credentials & Experience
Education & Training
- MD, New York University School of Medicine
- Internship: 2003 Long Island Jewish Medical Center
- Residency: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
Board Certifications
- Ophthalmology
Honors & Awards
2021: National Keratoconus Foundation (NKCF) Top Doc
2019: Member of the Academy of Clinical Excellence, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
2012 – Present: Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor
2006: Fellow, Society of Heed Fellows, Heed Ophthalmic Foundation
2005: Walter J. Stark Research Grant Award, Wilmer Eye Institute. Project Title: Genetic Modification of Human Corneal Endothelial Cells and Establishment of in vitro Model of Fuchs’ Endothelial Dystrophy
2005: Eye Bank Association of America Research Grant Award. Project Title: Use of Cell Culture Media and Human Amniotic Fluid for Proliferation of Endothelium on Eyebank Corneas
2005: Mitchell Prize for Resident Research, Wilmer Eye Institute. Project Title: Establishment and Characterization of Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Culture. Awarded first place prize of $10,000.
2005: Peter J. McDonnell Research Grant Award, Wilmer Eye Institute. Project Title: Establishment and Characterization of Human Corneal Endothelial Cell Culture
2002: Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
2002: Honors in Neuroscience and Physiology with Doctor of Medicine
2002: American Medical Women’s Association Achievement Award
1997: Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
1997: Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society
1992: NIH High School Research Apprenticeship Program Award, Stuyvesant High School
Research
Selected Publications
Publications:
Zyablitskaya M, Zemsky CJ, Paik DC, Yu J, Chumdermpadetsuk R, Kassotis A, Robbins-Juarez S, Trokel SL, Suh LH. Keratoconus screening in a pediatric allergy population: a prospective study (in preparation).
Lin WV, Rand GM, Miller ML, Marr BP, Suh LH. A case of sight threatening complications from topical 1% 5- fluorouracil in the treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2022 Jan 20;25:101265.
Zyablitskaya M, Hong E, Chen RWS, Chang S, Suh LH. Outcomes of four-point fixated and two-point sutureless posterior chamber IOLs combined with pars plana vitrectomy. BMC Ophthalmol. 2022 Feb 5;22(1):57.
Zyablitskaya M, Jayyosi C, Takaoka A, Myers KM, Suh LH, Nagasaki T, Trokel SL, Paik DC. Topical corneal cross-linking solution delivered via corneal reservoir in Dutch-belted rabbits. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2020 Aug 11;9(9):20.
Amponin DE, Przybek-Skrzypecka J, Zyablitskaya M, Takaoka A, Suh LH, Nagasaki T, Trokel SL, Paik DC. Ex vivo anti-microbial efficacy of various formaldehyde releasers against antibiotic resistant and antibiotic sensitive microorganisms involved in infectious keratitis. BMC Ophthalmol. 2020 Jan 15;20(1): 28.
Paulose SA, Sherman SW, Dagi Glass LR, Suh LH. Dupilumab-associated blepharoconjunctivitis. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2019 Sep 5;16:100550.
Sherman SW, Cherny C, Suh LH. Epithelial inclusion cyst of the bulbar conjunctiva secondary to scleral lens impingement managed with a microvault. Eye Contact Lens 2019 Sep 9.
Skrzypecki J, Sanghvi Patel M, Suh LH. Performance of the Barrett Toric Calculator with and without measurements of posterior corneal curvature. Eye. 2019 Jun 12: epub.
Rapuano PB, Mathews PM, Florakis GJ, Trokel SL, Suh LH. Corneal collagen crosslinking in patients treated with dextran versus isotonic hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) riboflavin solution: a retrospective analysis. Eye Vis 2018 Sep; 10;5:23.
Mathews PM, De Rojas JO, Rapuano PB, Zemsky CJ, Florakis GJ, Trokel SL, Suh LH. Correlation of Scheimpflug densitometry changes with clinical outcomes after corneal collagen crosslinking. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2018 Aug;44(8):993-1002.
Paik DC, Trokel SL, Suh LH. Just what do we know about corneal collagen turnover? Cornea 2018 Nov;37(11):e49-e50.
Shi L, Chang J, Suh LH, Chang S. Differences in refractive outcomes between phacoemulsification for cataract alone and combined phacoemulsification and vitrectomy for epiretinal membrane. Retina 2018 Apr (Epub)
Jeon HS, Choi M, Byun SJ, Suh LH, Hyon JY, Park KH, Park SJ. Atopic dermatitis is not a risk factor for keratoconus: a population-based cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2018 Feb (Epub)
Rapuano PB, Scanameo AH, Amponin DE, Paulose SA, Zyablitskaya M, Takaoka A, Suh LH, Nagasaki T, Trokel SL, Paik DC. Antimicrobial studies using the therapeutic tissue cross-linking agent, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate: implication for treating infectious keratitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018;59(1): 332-337.
Martinez JD, Amescua G, Lozano-Cardenas J, Suh LH. Bilateral Mycobacterium chelonae keratitis after phacoemulsification cataract surgery. Case Rep Ophthalmol Med. 2017;2017:6413160.
Ahmad S, Lopez M, Attala M, Miller D, Suh LH, Amescua G. Interventions and outcomes in patients with infectious Pseudomonas scleritis: a 10 year perspective. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2017;17:1-8.
Hondur G, Goktas E, Yang X. Al-Aswad L, Auran JD, Blumberg DM, Cioffi GA, Leibmann JM, Suh LH, Trief D, Tezel G. Oxidative stress-related molecular biomarker candidates for glaucoma. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2017;58(10):4078-4088.
De Rojas JO, Scheurch K, Mathews PM, Cabral T, Hazan A, Sparrow J, Tsang SH, Suh LH. Evaluating structural progression of retinitis pigmentosa after cataract surgery. Am J Ophthalmol 2017;180:117-123.
Ali TK, Amescua G, Miller D, Suh LH, Delmonte DW, Gibbons A, Alfonso EC, Forster RK. Contact-Lens-Associated Purpureocillium keratitis: risk factors, microbiologic characteristics, clinical course, and outcomes. Semin Ophthalm. 2017;32(2):157-162.
Abbey AM, Shah NV, Forster RK, Suh LH. Infectious Pseudomonas and Bipolaris scleritis following history of pterygium surgery. Indian J Ophthalmol 2016 Sep;64(9): 674-676.
Pouyeh B, Feuer W, Yoo SH, Shi W, Suh LH. Refractive Stability after DSAEK. Ophthalmology 2012;119(10):2190.
Suh LH, Abou Shousha M, Ventura RU, Kieval JZ, Perez VL, Wang J, Dubovy SR, Rosenfeld SI, Culbertson WW, Alfonso EC, Forster RK. Epithelial ingrowth after Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty: Description of cases and assessment with anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Cornea 2011;30(5):528-34.
Chang V, Karp CL, Yoo SH, Ide T, Budenz DL, Kovach JL, Suh LH. Mycobacterium abscessus endophthalmitis after Descemet’s stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty. Cornea 2010;29(5):586-9.
Suh LH, Barron J, Dubovy SR, Fell J, Ledee DR, Miller D, Forster RK. Ocular Rhinosporidiosis as a cause of chronic follicular conjunctivitis. Arch Ophthalmol. 2009;127(8):1076-7.
Suh LH, Dawson DG, Mutapcic L, Rosenfeld SI, Culbertson WW, Yoo SH, O’Brien TP, Dubovy SR. Histopathologic examination of failed grafts in Descemet’s Stripping with Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK). Ophthalmology 2009;116(4):603-8.
SuhLH, Yoo SH, Deobhakta A, Donaldson KE, Alfonso, EC, Culbertson WW, & O’Brien TP. Complications of Descemet’s Stripping with Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSAEK): Survey of 118 Eyes at One Institute. Ophthalmology 2008;115(9):1517-24.
Suh LH, Kymionis GD, Culbertson WW, O’Brien TP, Yoo SH. Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in aphakic eyes. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(2):268-70
Kymionis GD, Portaliou DM, Bouzoukis DI, Suh LH, Pallikaris AI, Markomanolakis M, Yoo SH. Herpetic keratitis with iritis after corneal crosslinking with riboflavin and ultraviolet A for keratoconus. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2007;33(11):1982-84.
Kymionis GD, Suh LH, O’Brien TP, Dubovy SR, Yoo SH. Diagnosis of residual Descemet’s membrane after Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) with anterior segment optical coherence tomography. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2007;33(7):1322-4.
Suh LH, Zhang C, Chuck RS, Stark WJ, Naylor S, Binley K, Chakravarti S, Jun AS. Cryopreservation and lentiviral-mediated genetic modification of human primary cultured corneal endothelial cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2007;48(7):3056-61.
Suh LH, Sweeney, DA, Jun AS. A 33 year old man with a white pupil. Clin Infect Dis. 2006;43:1043-1044, 1081-1082.
Segal NH, Blachere NE, Shiu HY, Suh LH, Antonescu CR, Lewis JJ, Wolchok JD, Houghton AN. Antigens recognized by autologous antibodies of patients with soft tissue sarcoma. Cancer Immun 2005;5(4):1-7
Suh LH, Oster SF, Soehrman SS, Grenningloh G, & Sretavan DW. L1/Laminin modulation of growth cone response to EphB triggers growth pauses and regulates the microtubule destabilizing protein SCG10. J Neuroscience 2004;24(8):1976-86.