Location
Areas of Expertise
About Me
Dr. Levi Kanu is a fellowship-trained cornea specialist with expertise in corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, refractive procedures, and the treatment of complex ocular surface diseases. He combines surgical excellence with a commitment to advancing ocular drug delivery through translational research.
Dr. Kanu earned his undergraduate degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering from Johns Hopkins University and completed his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to train in ophthalmology at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, followed by a prestigious cornea fellowship.
As a clinician-scientist and NIH/NEI-funded K12 Vision Scholar, Dr. Kanu’s research focuses on innovative treatments for corneal disease, including drug delivery technologies targeting conditions like neurotrophic keratopathy. His goal is to bridge laboratory discoveries with real-world impact, bringing meaningful therapies to patients with vision-threatening disorders.
Dr. Kanu is passionate about delivering compassionate, evidence-based care while advancing the science of ophthalmology through thoughtful innovation.
Training

Cornea and External Disease Fellowship
2022Harvard Medical School
Fellowship
Opthalmology
2020Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary
Residency
Medical Doctor (MD)
2016UPenn
Medical School
BS, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
2011Johns Hopkins University
Undergraduate
Awards & Honors
K12 Physician Scientist Award
2022National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute, Mass Eye and Ear
Heed Fellowship
2021Heed Ophthalmic Foundation
Alcon Research Scholarship
2020Alcon Research Institute
Beem-Fisher Research Award
2020Chicago Ophthalmological Society
Norman P. Blair Research Award
2020University of Illinois Chicago
Publications & Press
Sociodemographic predictors of acute corneal hydrops in patients with unstable keratoconus
Medrxiv•2025Ocular tear fluid biomarkers collected by contact lenses.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications•2024Proteomic Characterization of Corneal Epithelial and Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences•2024
Certifications & Licensure
- Board Certifications
- American Board of Ophthalmology
- Licensed In
- MA
- License Numbers
- 282765


