Ji Hyae Lee, MD
Fellowship-Trained Refractive and Cataract Surgeon in Chicago
Meet Dr. Ji Hyae Lee
Dr. Ji Hyae Lee is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in modern vision correction and advanced cataract surgery, serving patients throughout Chicago, Naperville, Elmhurst, South Barrington, Lincolnwood. Dr. Lee takes a personalized, lifestyle-driven approach to surgical planning—aligning each procedure with how patients live, work, and experience the world.
Dr. Lee offers the full spectrum of contemporary vision correction, including refractive lens exchange, SMILE, LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL™, and advanced cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens technology. She focuses on developing vision goals tailored to each patient, helping them make confident, informed decisions about their care. As a calligrapher and writer, she brings a refined sense of precision and attention to detail to every surgical plan.
Education and Professional Credentials
Dr. Lee earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in Neuroscience from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire in 2013. She earned her medical degree from Penn State University College of Medicine in 2019.
Dr. Lee built her surgical foundation at some of the nation’s most prestigious medical institutions. Following her medical degree, she completed rigorous residency training at the Yale School of Medicine and Saint Louis University. This foundation enables her to deliver meticulous, personalized surgical care across a full spectrum of eye conditions.
Driven by her passion for vision correction, she spent an extra year pursuing additional training in refractive surgery. This specialized training allows Dr. Lee to offer a “lifestyle first” approach to patients, utilizing the most modern technologies available today including SMILE, LASIK, and EVO ICL™. By combining her Ivy League foundation with her private practice experience, she is able to offer procedures rooted in the latest global surgical innovations.
Professional Recognition and Honors
Dr. Lee has been recognized for her clinical excellence, leadership, and national engagement in advancing ophthalmic care.
- AAPOS Best in Show Poster Award
- AAO Mid-Year Forum Advocacy Ambassador
- AUPO Surgical Curriculum Participant
- Medical Student Research Award
- Global Social Venture Competition
- TechCrunch Seoul Pitch-Off Competition Top 10 Finalist
Clinical Experience and Areas of Expertise
Dr. Lee provides comprehensive surgical care across refractive, cataract, corneal, glaucoma, and eyelid procedures, with a focus on aligning each treatment plan to the patient’s visual goals and lifestyle. Her clinical expertise includes:
Modern Vision Correction & Cataract Surgery:
SMILE, LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL™,refractive lens exchange, and premium/advanced technology cataract surgery
Corneal & Ocular Surface Procedures:
Corneal crosslinking for keratoconus, superficial keratectomy, phototherapeutic keratectomy, and surgical management of corneal surface irregularities
Glaucoma Management & Procedures:
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI), and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), including iStent, iDose TR, Streamline, Hydrus Microstent, OMNI, and goniotomy techniques
Eyelid Surgery & Functional/Aesthetic Treatments:
Oculoplastic procedures including upper blepharoplasty, brow ptosis repair, and botulinum toxin injections for both cosmetic and functional conditions such as blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm
Research, Publications, and Academic Contributions
Dr. Lee has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing ophthalmology through clinical research, peer-reviewed publications, and professional engagement.
- Lee J, Tye KE. “A Bear of an Aberrant Case: Bilateral Breast Malignancies in a Woman With Previous History of Breast Radiation.” Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2023 Nov 1;117(3):526.
- Lee J, Zacharia BE, Ba D, Leslie D, Liu G, Goyal N. “Mental Health Disorders Associated with Sinonasal and Skull Base Malignancies: A Large Cohort Study.” J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2020 Apr;81(2):187-192.
- Lee J, Ba D, Liu G, Leslie D, Zacharia BE, Goyal N. “Association of Head and Neck Cancer with Mental Health Disorders in a Large Insurance Claims Database.” JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Apr 1;145(4):339-344.
- Sambhara D, Lee J, Pantanelli SM. “Atypical Case of Mucous Membrane Pemphigoid in a 26-Year-Old Man.” BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Sep 12;2018:bcr2018225872.
- Lee J, Libfraind L, Parkhurst GD. What You Need to Know About Surgical Management of Myopia. Eyes on Eyecare: Ophthalmology. Accepted for publication. 2026 Feb 12.
- Lee J, Parkhurst GD. The Resident’s Guide to Refractive Surgery Fellowship. Eyes on Eyecare: Ophthalmology. 2025 Oct 28.
- Lee J. “Beyond the Lens: Reflections on Elective Surgery in Palliative Care.” Grand Rounds: A Saint Louis University School of Medicine Magazine. Winter 2024.
- Lee J. “Beyond the Sick Role: A patient-as-teacher experience.” Central Pennsylvania (PA) Medicine Magazine. Dauphin County Medical Society. Summer 2018: 8-9.
Dr. Lee has presented her research at numerous national and international conferences, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society Annual Meeting, and North American Skull Base Society Annual Meeting. Her presentations have covered topics including cataract surgery outcomes, refractive outcomes, surgical techniques, and peer education.
Practice Philosophy and Patient Approach
Understanding Each Patient’s Vision Priorities
Dr. Lee recognizes that vision needs vary dramatically from patient to patient. A surgeon may prioritize intermediate vision for computer work, while an athlete might focus on distance vision and contrast sensitivity. Rather than recommending a single procedure to all patients, Dr. Lee invests time in understanding what visual outcomes will have the greatest impact on each individual’s daily life.
During consultations, she asks detailed questions about work demands, hobbies, driving habits, and long-term vision expectations. This information guides her surgical recommendations and helps patients make decisions aligned with their actual lifestyle – not theoretical ideals.
Surgical Planning Rooted in Refractive Precision
Dr. Lee’s surgical approach is grounded in meticulous preoperative evaluation and outcome-focused planning. She uses advanced diagnostic technology to assess corneal shape, refractive error, and ocular surface health, then designs a surgical strategy tailored to each patient’s anatomy and goals.
Her commitment to refractive precision means she doesn’t settle for “good enough” outcomes. Instead, she aims for the highest possible quality of vision that each patient’s eye can achieve, whether through SMILE, LASIK, PRK, ICL, or advanced cataract surgery with premium lens technology.
Transparency and Realistic Expectations
Dr. Lee believes patients deserve honest conversations about what surgery can and cannot accomplish. She discusses realistic timelines for visual recovery, potential side effects, and the range of outcomes patients might experience. This transparency builds trust and ensures patients feel confident in their decision to proceed.
She also emphasizes the importance of ongoing communication after surgery. Follow-up appointments aren’t just checkpoints – they’re opportunities to address concerns, monitor healing, and make any necessary adjustments to optimize results.
Collaboration with Referring Providers
Dr. Lee values the relationships she builds with optometrists and other eye care professionals who also work with her patients. When determined appropriate for the individual patient, she maintains open communication throughout the surgical journey, providing detailed updates and ensuring that patients’ other providers remain engaged in their patients’ care. This collaborative approach strengthens the entire care team and benefits patients.
Languages and Patient Communication
Dr. Lee is committed to serving Chicago’s diverse community and is fluent in Korean and Spanish. She views communication as an essential part of surgical care and is dedicated to ensuring that patients feel understood, informed, and confident in their decisions. By speaking directly with patients in their preferred language, Dr. Lee is able to build trust and deliver care that is both precise and personal.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Lee
1. Advanced Fellowship Training
Dr. Lee is among a select group of surgeons who have completed specialized Refractive Surgery Fellowship training. This means she is not just an eye surgeon but a specialist in the most modern vision correction procedures available today.
- Precision-Driven: Utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging to map your eye’s unique anatomy with surgical-grade accuracy.
- Full-Spectrum Technology: Expert in the latest innovations, including SMILE, EVO ICL™, and premium refractive cataract surgery.
2. Personalized Vision Correction
Dr. Lee treats every vision procedure as a “design process.” As a calligrapher and writer, she brings a refined attention to detail and precision to every surgical plan. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, she invests time in understanding your Visual Fingerprint, a specific way you use your eyes every day.
- Lifestyle Focused Planning: Whether you are an athlete requiring high contrast distance vision or a professional demanding 10 hour screen endurance, she will discuss surgical options that are suited for your lifestyle.
- Thorough Explanation: She provides recommendations based on your long-term goals, ensuring you feel confident and informed at every step.
3. Integrated Care & Excellent Communication
Surgical success requires a unified team. Dr. Lee prioritizes seamless coordination and direct communication to ensure a stress-free patient journey.
- Seamless Coordination: Dr. Lee works closely with your primary optometrist and other providers, ensuring your long-term eye health is managed by a synchronized team.
- Multilingual Excellence: Fluent in Korean and Spanish, Dr. Lee provides culturally competent care to Chicago’s diverse communities.
Personal Interests
When Dr. Lee is not in the operating room, she enjoys creative writing, calligraphy, travel, classical and jazz flute, swimming, and high-intensity interval training. Some of her written works can be found in Grand Rounds: A Saint Louis University School of Medicine Magazine and Central Pennsylvania Medicine Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Lee
Dr. Lee earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, in Neuroscience from Dartmouth College and her Doctor of Medicine from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. She completed ophthalmology residency training at Yale School of Medicine and Saint Louis University School of Medicine. She is currently pursuing specialized fellowship training in refractive surgery at Parkhurst NuVision in San Antonio, Texas. While not yet board-certified, Dr. Lee has been recognized through multiple professional honors, including selection as an AAO Mid-Year Forum Advocacy Ambassador and AUPO Surgical Curriculum participant.
Dr. Lee specializes in modern vision correction procedures including SMILE, LASIK, PRK, and ICL implantation. She also performs advanced cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens options, corneal and ocular surface procedures, glaucoma laser treatment and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, and eyelid and periocular procedures.
Dr. Lee takes a personalized, lifestyle-focused approach to vision correction. Rather than recommending the same procedure to all patients, she conducts detailed preoperative evaluation and spends time understanding each patient’s visual demands, work environment, hobbies, and long-term goals. This allows her to design a surgical plan designed to meet each patient’s needs and priorities.
To schedule a consultation, (630) 833-9621 or visit kovacheye.com.
About Kovach Eye Institute
Founded in 1996, Kovach Eye Institute provides comprehensive eye care across the Chicago metropolitan area. The practice brings together board-certified ophthalmologists and a skilled team offering expertise in refractive surgery, advanced cataract surgery, glaucoma, and retinal conditions. With locations in Elmhurst, Naperville, South Barrington, and Lincolnwood, patients benefit from advanced technology and a personalized approach to treatment planning.
The doctors at Kovach Eye Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
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