Cat Burkat, MD, FACS
Position title:
- Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin Professor
- Co-Director Global Ophthalmology Initiatives
CONTACT ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Appointments and Honors
Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin Professor
Co-Chair Global Ophthalmology Initiatives
ASOPRS Fellowship Faculty
Subspecialty
Oculoplastic, reconstructive and orbital surgery
Medical and Surgical Interests
- Botox®, fillers
- Corneal neurotization
- Cosmetic blepharoplasty, Asian blepharoplasty
- Eyelid surgery, ptosis, ectropion, entropion
- Eyelid and orbital tumors, cancer reconstruction
- Facial nerve palsy, blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm
- Laser skin resurfacing
- Pediatric ptosis, congenital birth defects
- Tear duct disorders
- Thyroid eye disease
Research Interests
- Ophthalmic reconstructive and cosmetic surgery
Research Highlights
Dr. Burkat and Mark Lucarelli, MD, co-pioneered the clinical usefulness of orbital and facial Time-Resolved Imaging of Contrast KineticS (TRICKS) magnetic resonance angiography. Dr. Burkat reviewed 49 patient records that underwent TRICKS magnetic resonance angiography as a result of mass head and neck lesions. The 3D, high-resolution imaging and enhancement helped to clarify the diagnosis and treatment in 19 cases. The importance of TRICKS magnetic resonance imaging is highlighted as a minimally invasive and safe instrument for high resolution vascular mapping.
Clinical usefulness of orbital and facial Time-Resolved Imaging of Contrast KineticS (TRICKS) magnetic resonance angiography
Dr. Burkat is considered an expert in orbito-facial prosthesis and in 2016 published a retrospective case series on successful surgeries where she outlines preoperative planning and recommendations for successful operative outcomes for the benefit of patient care.
Osseointegrated implants for orbito-facial prostheses: preoperative planning tips and intraoperative pearls
Education
Fellowships: Ophthalmic Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI; Facial Cosmetic Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI
Residency: Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Internship: Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Medical School: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY
Cat Burkat, MD, FACS, is a Professor in Ophthalmology and Co-Director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Global Ophthalmology. She completed a dual ASOPRS and cosmetic facial fellowship, and has written over 90 book chapters, Editor for 4 oculofacial surgery textbooks, and directed over 80 courses/breakfast roundtables at annual AAO meetings. She served as Program Chair for the 2020, 2021, and 2022 ASOPRS Annual Scientific Fall and Spring Symposia, and 2022 and 2023 AAO Oculofacial Subspecialty Day Program Chair. She is currently the ASOPRS Fellowship Education Director and a member of the AUPO Fellowship Compliance Committee.
She is Editor-in-Chief and former Oculoplastics Lead Editor of the AAO EyeWiki educational website, and has received the AAO Senior Achievement Award and Secretariat Award. She has served on the Scientific Program Committee for the inaugural World Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery (WSOPRAS) meetings, and on the Program Committee for the AAO Global Ophthalmology Summit. She received the 2022 University of Wisconsin Women of Color Award and the 2022 ASOPRS Service Award, ASOPRS 2022 Outstanding Contribution Award, ASOPRS 2022 Orkan G. Stasior Leadership Award for distinguished service in oculoplastic surgery, and inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. She is the World Ophthalmology Congress Liaison Chair representing ASOPRS in the International Council of Ophthalmology. She is Secretary and Podcast Chair for the AAO Women Professors in Ophthalmology, and on organizing committees in Women in Ophthalmology (WIO), AAO Minority Mentoring Program, and Committee Chair for the ABO. She is also the Founding Director of 2 nonprofit organizations to support oculoplastics and ophthalmology surgical trips globally.
She has also created a program to teach high school students of marginalized communities the breadth of ophthalmology in an interactive day course teaching suturing, ocular injections, cataract surgery and more. She also established a formal program with Dane County Madison Metropolitan school districts to bring pre-medical and medical school students to offer free vision screening to elementary and middle schools / communities facing barriers.