Associate Professor of Ophthalmology 

Director of Fellowship Programs

Associate Director, Corneal and External Disease Service and Refractive Surgery Service

Medical School

Duke University School of Medicine

Residency

Emory University School of Medicine

Chief Residency

Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine

Fellowship

Wills Eye Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University

Background

Terry Kim, MD, a full-time faculty member of the Corneal and Refractive Surgery Services, has been recognized nationally and internationally as a leading specialist in cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgery. As a testimonial to this, Kim has been selected by his peers to join the elite group of physicians listed in Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors in North Carolina, and America’s Top Ophthalmologists. He has been the recipient of the Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and was selected as one of the Top 50 Opinion Leaders in the field of cataract and refractive surgery by his colleagues. His LASIK and corneal transplant surgery has also been featured on nationally televised programs, such as the series Hospital on the Discovery Channel.

Kim's innovative research on cataract and corneal surgery, LASIK and other surgical procedures has led to over 100 publications in well-respected medical journals and textbooks. He has also co-authored and co-edited an authoritative textbook on corneal diseases and surgery, entitled The Requisites in Ophthalmology: Anterior Segment. Dr. Kim also serves on the Editorial Board for the journals Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, and Review of Ophthalmology. His clinical and research work has earned him honors from such prestigious institutions as the National Institutes of Health, the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation, the Castroviejo Cornea Society, and the APEX Corneal Society. Dr. Kim serves as a principal investigator on a major research grant from the National Eye Institute/National Institutes of Health to investigate the use of new corneal adhesives to seal cataract and LASIK incisions. He also functions as co-investigator for a number of privately funded clinical trials.

As the former Director of the Residency Program and current Director of Fellowship Programs at Duke Eye Center, Dr. Kim plays an active role in teaching ophthalmologists, fellows, residents, medical students, and ophthalmic technicians. He has been invited to deliver over 150 lectures as visiting professor at national and international universities and meetings. Dr. Kim serves as Course Director for the popular Southeastern Cataract, Cornea and Refractive Surgery Conference held annually at premiere eye centers in the Southeast, including Duke Eye Center, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Emory Eye Center. He has also delivered countless teaching lectures and workshops at major ophthalmology meetings, such as the annual American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) meetings. 

Kim was invited by the U.S. Government to serve as a consultant to the Ophthalmic Devices Panel of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In this role, Dr. Kim helps to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of marketed and investigational devices used in ophthalmology. He also holds administrative appointments on multiple panels and committees organized by the AAO and ASCRS. As Consultant Ophthalmologist for the Duke Men's Basketball Team, Dr. Kim provides the ophthalmic care for the Duke Basketball players and coaches and the Duke University Athletic Association. 

Phone

919.681.3568

Fax

919.681.7661

Research Interests

Kim's clinical and basic science research areas focus on two projects, both of which receive National Institute of Health/National Eye Institute funding. The first project involves the potential clinical applications of new corneal adhesives known as biodendrimers. These new and unique molecules are developed and synthesized by Mark Grinstaff, PhD, of the Chemistry Department at Duke University. They are then tested in in-vitro (human eyebank eyes) and in-vivo (chicken eyes) settings to study adhesive behavior and effectiveness. Some biodendrimers have already been tested and found to have many advantages over traditional cyanoacrylate adhesives as well as conventional sutures. Hopefully, these new biodendrimers will offer a new approach to the repair of corneal wounds, including corneal lacerations, LASIK flaps, and corneal transplants.

The second focus involves investigating potential anterior segment applications of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, a new modification developed by Joseph Izatt, PhD, of Duke's Pratt School of Engineering. Specifically, Kim plans to use this new real-time technology to examine LASIK flap striae as well as changes that occur in the eye during accommodation. He also hopes to apply this new imaging technology to assess the positioning and sizing of various anterior and posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses. 

Representative Publications

1. Kang PC, Carnahan MA, Grinstaff MW, Kim T. Novel Tissue Adhesives to Secure Laser In Situ Keratomileusis Flaps. J Cataract Refract Surg 2005; 31(6): 1208-1212.

2. Donnenfeld ED, Kim T, Holland EJ, Azar DT, Palmon R, Rubenstein JB, Daya S, Yoo SH. Management of infectious keratitis following laser in situ keratomileusis – American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery White Paper. J Cataract Refract Surg 2005 (in press).

3. Velazquez AJ, Carnahan MA, Kristinsson J, Stinnett S, Grinstaff MW, Kim T. New Dendritic Adhesives for Sutureless Ophthalmic Surgeries: In Vitro Studies of Corneal Laceration Repair. Arch Ophthalmol 2004:122(6):867-870. 

4. Kim T, Hasan SA. A New Technique for Repairing Descemet Membrane Detachments Using Intracameral Gas Injection. Arch Ophthalmol 2002:120(2):181-183. 

5. Wan XH, Lee HC, Stulting RD, Kim T, Jung SE, Kim MJ, Kim EK. Exacerbation of Avellino Corneal Dystrophy by Laser In Situ Keratomileusis. Cornea 2002:21(3):224-226. 

6. Kim T, Krishnasamy S, Meyer CH, Toth CA. Induced Corneal Astigmatism after Macular Translocation with Scleral Imbrication. Ophthalmology 2001:108(7):1203-1208. 

7. Kim T, Sorenson AL, Krishnasamy S, Carlson AN, Edelhauser HF. Acute Corneal Endothelial Changes Following LASIK. Cornea 2001:20(6):597-602. 

8. Hasan SA, Edelhauser HF, Kim T. Topical/Intracameral Anesthesia for Cataract Surgery. Surv Ophthalmol 2001:46(2):177-180. 

9. Kim T, Sorenson AL. Bilateral Descemet's Membrane Detachments. Arch Ophthalmol 2000:119(9):1302-1303. 

10. Sorenson AL, Holladay JT, Kim T, Kendall CJ, Carlson AN. Ultrasonic Measurement of Induced Myopia Associated with Capsular Bag Distension Syndrome. Ophthalmology 2000:107(5):902-908.