Recognized for expertise in retinal diseases and innovative research on brain and systemic health links
Cecilia Lee, MD, MS, will join the WashU Medicine John F. Hardesty, MD, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. Lee, a specialist in medical retina and cataract surgery, is a leading investigator in big data and AI applications in ophthalmology, particularly in exploring links between retinal imaging and Alzheimer’s disease.
Cecilia Lee, MD, MS
Jane Hardesty Poole Endowed Professor, Ophthalmology and Visual Science
- Email: cslee@nospam.wustl.edu
Lee completed her undergraduate and medical education at Emory University, followed by an ophthalmology residency and fellowships in uveitis at WashU Medicine and medical retina at Moorfields Eye Hospital. She received a Master of Science in Epidemiology at the University of Washington School of Public Health. Previously, Lee was a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Washington, where she held the Klorfine Family Endowed Chair.
Having grown up in Buenos Aires and being fluent in Spanish, Lee enjoys caring for a diverse patient population. Clinically, she treats retinal conditions such as age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy, and performs cataract surgery for patients with retinal issues. “I am especially passionate about caring for older adults with macular degeneration and patients with diabetic retinopathy, where prevention and treatment can greatly impact quality of life,” Lee said.
“I’m also committed to research linking eye health with brain and systemic health. My research passion lies in applying Big Data and AI methods to multimodal data in order to uncover insights into healthy aging and disease prevention.”
Cecilia S. Lee, MD, MS
Her NIH-funded work explores the intersection of retinal biomarkers, neurodegeneration, and healthy aging, and she is dedicated to integrating retinal imaging into large cohort studies to reveal novel disease insights through multidisciplinary collaboration.
Lee values building long-term patient relationships and helping preserve vision to support independence and quality of life. “Many of my patients know me personally and even ask about my daughter—it’s these connections that make my work so meaningful,” she shared. She finds it rewarding when her patients feel heard, cared for, and empowered.
Outside of work, Lee enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her 7-year-old daughter, future ophthalmologist Ibby Lee, and their dog, Tobi. As a fun fact, Lee speaks multiple languages, including Korean and Spanish, often surprising her patients during visits.