Appointments and Honors

Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery Fellowship Director

Subspecialty

Laser vision correction surgery

Eric Weinlander, MD, FACS, is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Cornea Fellowship Director in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Weinlander is deeply committed to developing the next generation of cornea specialists. As fellowship director, he provides hands-on mentorship across the full breadth of corneal surgery— from corneal transplantation (DMEK, DSAEK, DALK, PK) to complex scleral-fixated lens implantation, LASIK/PRK, and anterior segment reconstruction — ensuring fellows graduate with the confidence and technical skill to excel in their own practice. He actively creates opportunities for fellows to present and publish their work, collaborating with them on peer-reviewed publications and guiding presentations at national meetings. His leadership in national surgical education — as an ASCRS Young Eye Surgeon Clinical Committee member, ASCRS Grand Rounds Course Director, and wet lab instructor at major conferences — gives fellows direct access to a broad professional network and career-building opportunities from the start of their training.

Dr. Weinlander brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to fellowship training. A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and Member with Thesis of the Cornea Society, he has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications, with scholarly interests spanning corneal transplantation, refractive surgery, and ophthalmic ethics. His background in medical ethics — including visiting scholarships at the University of Oxford — enriches the training environment and encourages fellows to think critically about the broader dimensions of their specialty. Whether a fellow’s aspirations are in academic medicine, private practice, or a hybrid career, Dr. Weinlander is dedicated to helping them build the clinical expertise, surgical acumen, and professional connections to thrive.

Education

Fellowships: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Residencies: University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, Ann Arbor, MI

Internships: St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, IL

Medical School: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI