Emergency icon Important Updates
Department Ophthalmology
Primary Location Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Type of Doctor Both Adults and Children & Adolescents
Languages Arabic, English, French
Surgeon Yes
Locations
Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
Primary Location

Cleveland Clinic Main Campus

Appointment:
216.444.4363
Desk:
216.444.2030
Fax:
216.445.2226

Additional Locations

Specialties & Treatments

Treatment & Services

  • Aorta Center
  • Gene Therapy, Eye
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology
  • Strabismus Surgery
View all 4 Treatment & Services +

Specialty in Diseases & Conditions

  • Amblyopia
  • Batten Disease
  • Birth Defects
  • Cataracts
  • Cataracts in Children
  • Congenital Cataracts
  • Congenital Glaucoma
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Eye Malformations
  • Genetic Eye Diseases
  • Headaches, Children
  • Marfan Syndrome, Eye
  • Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction (Children)
  • Neurofibromatosis, Eye
  • Ocular Diseases of Children
  • Pediatric Eye Disorders
  • Pediatric Glaucomas
  • Pediatric Myopia
  • Pediatric Ptosis
  • Retinal Disorders
  • Retinal Dystrophies
  • Retinitis Pigmentosa
  • Retinoblastoma
View all 23 Specialties +
Insurance

Insurance

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Biography

About Elias Traboulsi, MD, MEd

Elias Traboulsi, MD, is Head of the Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Director of the Center for Genetic Eye Diseases at Cleveland Clinic's Cole Eye Institute. He is Professor of Ophthalmology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and Director of the Ophthalmology Residency Program at Cleveland Clinic. He is also Director of the Department of Graduate Medical Education at Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Traboulsi is the Executive Vie-President of the International Society for Genetic Eye Disease and Retinoblastoma and Editor-In-Chief of Ophthalmic Genetics. He also serves on the Editorial Board of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

He is a frequent guest speaker at national and international meetings, and the author of more than 300 scientific articles and book chapters. His book on Genetic Diseases of the Eye, published by Oxford University Press in 1999, is one of the major references on this topic.

Dr. Traboulsi's clinical and research interests include the management and genetics of strabismus and congenital cataracts, and the nosology of ophthalmic and general medical genetic disorders and syndromes. He has a special interest in ocular developmental biology and ocular malformations, retinal dystrophies, childhood glaucoma and other common and rare ocular diseases of children.

Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
1997

Education & Fellowships

Fellowship - Children's Hospital National Medical Center
Pediatric Ophthalmology
Washington, DC
1990

Residency - Georgetown University Hospital
Ophthalmology
Washington, DC
1989

Fellowship - Johns Hopkins Hospital
Ophthalmic Genetics
Baltimore, MD
1986

Residency - American University of Beirut Medical Center
Ophthalmology
Beirut,
1985

Internship - American University of Beirut Medical Center
Internal Medicine
Beirut,
1982

Medical Education - American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
1982

Undergraduate - American University of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
1977

Graduate School - Cleveland State Univeristy
Cleveland, OH

Professional Highlights

  • Editor-in-Chief, Ophthalmic Genetics
  • Executive Editor, American Journal of Ophthalmology
  • Author, Textbook of Genetic Diseases of the Eye, Oxford University Press
  • Director, Vision First, a privately funded program for vision screening and detection of amblyopia and other eye diseases of children in the Cleveland Public Schools. More than 20,000 children examined to date.
  • Past President, Current Executive Vice-President, International Society for Genetic Eye Diseases and Retinoblastoma

Certifications

  • Ophthalmology
  • Medical Genetics and Genomics - Clinical Genetics

Specialty Interests

childhood glaucoma, congenital cataracts, genetic eye diseases, ocular diseases of children, residency education, retinoblastoma, Strabismus

Awards & Honors

  • Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Member, 1981
  • Fellowship Award, Children’s National Eye Care Foundation, 1989-1990
  • Marshall M. Parks Fellowship Award, Costenbader Society, 1989-1990
  • L. Harrell Pierce Wilmer Resident Teaching Award, 1995
  • First Camille Matta Visiting Professor and Lecturer, American University of Beirut Medical Center, 1995
  • Honor Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 1995
  • Recognition Award for Outstanding Dedication and Leadership, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 1990-1997
  • Clinician Scientist Award, Cleveland Clinic Eye Institute, 1998
  • Faculty Recognition Award, Joint Commission for Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology, 1998 
  • Robb-Petersen Lectureship in pediatric ophthalmology, Boston Children’s Hospital, “The Clinical and Molecular Genetic Aspects of Ocular Malformations,” 1999
  • John-Pratt Johnson Lectureship in pediatric ophthalmology, Canadian Orthoptic Society, “The Genetics of Strabismus,” 2000
  • Inaugural Martha Leffler Lincoln Lectureship in pediatric ophthalmology, The Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, “Lid Fissure Configuration and Astigmatism in Children,” 2001
  • Honor Award, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, 2002
  • Physician-of-the-Year Award, Cleveland Clinic International Center, 2002
  • Honorary Member, “Società Italiana Oftalmologia Genetica” (SIOG) (Italian Society of Genetic Ophthalmology), 2004
  • Honorary Member, Columbian Pediatric Ophthalmology Group, 2004
  • Georgia Knights Templar Educational Trust Lecturer, Emory Eye Center, Emory University, 2004
  • Elected to the American Ophthalmological Society, 2004. Thesis: "Congenital Abnormalities of Cranial Nerve Development: Overview, Molecular Mechanisms and Further Evidence of Heterogeneity and Complexity of Syndromes with Congenital Limitation of Eye Movements”
  • Senior Honor Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2005
  • Ollendorff Lectureship, The Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia University, New York, 2006
  • Johnson Lectureship, Seattle Children’s Hospital, University of Washington, 2006
  • William B. Scott Lectureship, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Iowa, 2007
  • 35th Victor G. Simpson Lectureship, Department of Ophthalmology, Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C., 2007
  • Teacher of the Year, Cole Eye Institute, 2007
  • Best Doctors in America, Several Years in a Row
  • Funding from the National Eye Institute, Research to Prevent Blindness, Foundation Fighting Blindness, and other organizations as well as private funding

Memberships

  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
  • American Ophthalmological Society
  • International Society for Genetic Eye Diseases and Retinoblastoma
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Elias Traboulsi, MD, MEd.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 8/10/2024, Dr. Traboulsi has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Traboulsi receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:

  • SparingVision, Inc.

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

78 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.9 out of 5
Explains 4.9
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

19 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Nov 6, 2024

The physicians showed concern and exceptional care

Reviewed on Oct 1, 2024

Dr. Traboulsi, Has been the most incredible doctor to our son for 17 years. Without him our son would be blind. I thank God all the time for putting this doctor in our life. Unfortunately we moved to Michigan and our insurance is a HMO and the Clinic doesn't accept our insurance. So I have resorted to sell things on line to make enough money to continue to bring my son to this doctor. I would like to continue to bring my son until the Doctor retires. Once again thank Dr T you have been a huge part of our life.

Reviewed on Sep 11, 2024

Dr t has always been willing to get me in. This x he really had to push the office staff to do it and they only gave me 1 poss opt even though we live 5 hrs away.

Reviewed on Sep 10, 2024

Dr. Traboulsi is an amazing physician and educator

Reviewed on Sep 3, 2024

Dr. Traboulsi is one of the most compassionate physicians and human beings. He took the time to see me and arrange for me to receive great care on his vacation day. I can't thank him enough

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2024

Dr. Was very caring and precise.

Reviewed on Jun 26, 2024

I felt very comfortable with this doctor. He was to the point about my disease but definitely showed empathy about my situation.

Reviewed on Apr 30, 2024

Dr Traboulsi and his staff are excellent

Reviewed on Apr 23, 2024

Good scheduling. Not great communication between doctors office and check out desk and radiology for scheduling MRI.

Reviewed on Apr 16, 2024

Great doctor

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2024

Very impressed with physicians bedside manner and overall his expertise.

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2024

We have always had good experiences with the Cleveland Clinic; from the desk attendants to the nurses and aides. Of course, Dr. Traboulsi has been a great resource, both professional and personable, my favorite doc.

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2024

Dr. Traboulsi always offers the latest in eye care, helping us to make the best decisions regarding our health.

Reviewed on Apr 2, 2024

We do recommend Dr. Traboulsi to others, his care is above and beyond. Not all doctors can be as approachable and caring as this doctor.

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

The doctor was so polite and took his time to listen and answer all of our questions. He made our family feel welcome and was good with our child. I could t have been happier with his expertise and involvement.

Reviewed on Feb 28, 2024

Great experience for all of the above reasons.He listened and didn't make me feel like he was rushing to get to the next patient. And of course he's very knowledgeable, which is why my provider referred me to him.

Reviewed on Feb 14, 2024

My care provider was very caring.

Reviewed on Feb 7, 2024

Excellent Doctor! I had no idea and I genuinely believe he is the best in the country for this specific disease. Although as stated intern had poor beside manor for pediatrics and we could not delve any further as his area of exerpertise was only in one main area of genetics.

Reviewed on Jan 17, 2024

I would highly recommend Dr. Traboulsi, his staff to anyone. They are terrific.

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