Functional and Cosmetic Oculoplastic Fellowship

The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at the University of Texas Houston is proud to offer an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) approved fellowship training program. We feature broad exposure to functional and cosmetic oculoplastic surgery.  Dr. Tim McCulley is the primary preceptor with over 20 years of experience in training fellows. Dr. Ying Chen is one of our associate preceptors who has a particular interest in cosmetic surgery. Additional associate preceptors include Drs. Karina Richani, Imtiaz Chaudhry, and Bita Esmaeli.

Our goal is to provide a very robust and well-rounded training experience. Fellows will have the opportunity to gain surgical and clinical experience at the Cizik Eye Center and Memorial Hermann Hospital within the Texas Medical Center as well as at the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) county hospital. All locations are fully equipped for functional oculoplastic surgery. In addition, the Cizik Eye Center is outfitted to provide the latest in oculofacial cosmetic rejuvenation therapy, including facial and periocular laser resurfacing, chemo-denervation and soft tissue fillers. In contrast, Memorial Hermann Hospital (the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston) is a high-volume trauma center, which comes with a wealth of opportunity to help manage patients with soft tissue and orbital trauma, acute infections, and orbital pathology.

Fellows will be part of an academically rich environment where research and teaching are encouraged and fostered. We are housed within the University of Texas, which comes with an abundance of shared academic resources. There are several opportunities to collaborate with our schools of public health, bioinformatics, bioengineering and if needed, patent office. Support will be provided to participate in scientific meetings and funding is available for qualifying research projects.

Our program considers applicants currently training or who have completed training within US ACGME-accredited ophthalmology residency programs. Applications are accepted through the SF Match.

For more information, please contact us:
Kimberly Soza
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (713) 486-9449

About the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science

In the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, our ability to imagine the future and shape it has earned us an international reputation for clinical excellence, an innovative research program; and one of the most sought-after residency programs in the country. Our imagination and vision for the future has led to better treatments for ophthalmic disorders and breakthrough discoveries that preserve and improve sight.

Patient care is at the forefront of our mission. Our department has a tradition and strong culture of providing the best care possible for the entire community. Physicians at the Robert Cizik Eye Clinic are equipped with the latest technology, and as part of a premier health care group are able to offer our patients cutting-edge multidisciplinary services. We frequently perform complex surgeries, including revision surgeries to correct previous procedures, improving vision and quality of life, and giving patients the peace of mind that they received the best care available.

We are extremely proud to be trusted by Houston and strive to provide unparalleled care to all Texans. We are also very fortunate to have the opportunity to help patients living outside our state, with many traveling to see us from around the world.

Faculty

Dr. Timothy J. McCulley is fellowship-trained in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery and neuro-ophthalmology. His specialties also include reconstructive surgery of the eyelids and the orbit and tear drainage system. His clinical and research interests include intracranial pressure and its effect on the eye and orbit, optic nerve ischemia, Graves’ ophthalmopathy, and eyelid involution pathophysiology and management.

Dr. McCulley received his medical degree from Washington University at St. Louis and completed residency training at Stanford University. He went on to complete a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellowship in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Cincinnati Eye Institute. He joins McGovern Medical School from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he held the Earl D. Kidwell, Jr., MD Professorship in Ophthalmology. Also during is time at Johns Hopkins, he served as vice chair for clinical strategic planning for Wilmer Eye Institute and as director of the Division of Oculoplastic Surgery, director of the Division of Neuro-Ophthalmology, and director of the ASOPRS ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive fellowship program.

The author of more than 100 research articles, numerous books and book chapters, Dr. McCulley has participated in many funded basic science projects and clinical trials. His educational work includes supervising medical students, residents, and fellows in outpatient, consult, surgical, and research environments, as well as precepting fellows. He has volunteered internationally on more than 10 missions with the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital, providing patient care and education in corners of the globe where preventable blindness prevails, and has served as one of the ophthalmologists for the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.

Board-certified ophthalmologist and assistant professor Ying Chen, MD, has subspecialty training in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery and clinical interests in aesthetic and cosmetic treatments, including cosmetic eyelid surgery, brow lifts, nonsurgical rejuvenation of the face with Botox® and filler injections, as well laser skin resurfacing. After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, Chen earned her medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where she was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society for her academic accomplishments. After completing her ophthalmology residency at the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami, she trained with world-renowned mentors at the same institution as an American Society of Ophthalmic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellow. Chen’s research interests include aesthetic applications in ophthalmic plastic surgery and eyelid reconstruction.

About the Robert Cizik Eye Clinic

The opening of the Robert Cizik Eye Clinic was a proud moment for the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science. This outstanding new facility could not have been achieved without the generous support of our many friends and donors.

The Cizik Eye Clinic opened July 2, 2007 and occupies the 18th floor of the Medical Plaza building at 6400 Fannin St. The outer walls are glass, with views of Rice University, Main Street, Downtown, Hermann Park, and the rest of the Texas Medical Center. The Clinic is designed for function – it contains the most sophisticated equipment available for patient care.

The 15th floor of MHMP is dedicated to Memorial Hermann Surgery Center Texas Medical Center. It is beautiful in keeping with the rest of this magnificent building. Most surgery is performed in this new facility but some cases will still require Memorial Hermann Hospital.

The Cizik Eye Clinic is outfitted with its own two small certified operating rooms, which are available for minor procedures and more involved surgery, not requiring general anesthesia.