Eye and Ear Infirmary Physicians Top the ListTen physicians from the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary at UIC have ranked on the prestigious Chicago’s Top Doctors 2014 list featured in the January issue.

The elite list includes nearly 500 MDs in the city and suburbs (less than five percent of local doctors), and encompasses 60 commonly consulted specialties, including ophthalmology. Chicago magazine compiled the list with the help of Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a renowned health care research and information company.  Each year Castle Connolly produces a Top Doctor list based upon nominations from peers. In 2013 Castle Connolly received more than 100,000 nominations. After review, the list was pared down to 6,800 doctors in clinical practice, of which 400 are in the six-county Chicago area.

Drum roll, please.

Congratulations to the following Chicago’s Top Doctors 2014:

Amjad Ahmad, MD

Amjad Ahmad, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgery Service, Dr. Ahmad treats oculofacial plastic surgery patients and teaches residents part time. Dr. Ahmad is also listed by the well-respected nationwide rankings in Castle Connolly (top 1 percent), Best Doctors® and Super Doctors.

Dimitri Azar, MD, Director

Dimitri Azar, MD, MBA
Professor of Ophthalmology and Dean of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Dr. Azar is a leader in the treatment of corneal diseases and refractive surgery. He is also listed in Castle Connolly’s national list,  Best Doctors® and Super Doctors.

Nathalie Azar, MD

Nathalie Azar, MD
Associate Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology, Dr. Azar is Director of the Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus Service. Dr. Azar has a reputation as an outstanding surgeon, and is also listed in Castle Connolly’s national list,  Best Doctors® and Super Doctors.

Gerald Fishman, MD

Gerald Fishman, MD
Professor Emeritus, Dr. Fishman has spent his career directing groundbreaking research on hereditary retinal diseases. He is also listed by Best Doctors®.

James Goodwin, MD

James Goodwin, MD
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Dr. Goodwin is an attending physician on the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service and serves as a consulting neurologist for the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and Stroger Hospital. Dr. Goodwin is also listed in Castle Connolly’s national list, Best Doctors® and Super Doctors.

Jennifer Lim, MD

Jennifer Lim, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of the Retina Service,
Dr. Lim is a leading authority on retina and vitreoretinal diseases. She has performed more than 6,000 vitreoretinal surgeries and directed more than 50 clinical research studies and trials. Dr. Lim is also listed in Castle Connolly’s national list, Best Doctors® and Super Doctors.

William Mieler, MD

William Mieler, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology, Vice Chair for Medical Education and Director of Ocular Oncology, Dr. Mieler has a long and distinguished career as an expert in treating complex macular and retinal diseases. Dr. Mieler is also listed in Castle Connolly’s national list, Best Doctors® and Super Doctors.

Allen Putterman, MD

Allen Putterman, MD
Professor of Ophthalmology, Dr. Putterman is a leader in oculoplastic surgery. He has published more than 325 scientific papers on oculoplastic surgery procedures and instruments he has invented. Dr. Putterman is also listed by Best Doctors®.

Thasarat Vajaranant, MD

Thasarat S. Vajaranant, MD
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Glaucoma Service, Dr. Vajaranant is an outstanding clinician-scientist who is currently investigating the role of female hormones on the aging of the optic nerve and development of glaucoma.  Dr. Vajaranant is also listed in Castle Connolly’s national list, Best Doctors® and Super Doctors.

Dr. Rohit Varma, professor and chair of the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary

Rohit Varma, MD, MPH
Department Chair and Professor of Ophthalmology, Dr. Varma is an international expert on changes in the optic nerve in glaucoma and new imaging techniques in the early diagnosis of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Dr. Varma is also listed in Castle Connolly’s national list, Best Doctors® and Super Doctors.