Meet Dr. Michele D. Lee

Dr. Michele Lee grew up in Los Angeles, CA, and was a competitive pianist on the national and international stage until she had a vision-threatening corneal ulcer from overwearing her contact lenses. Dr. Lee never forgot how terrified she felt when told she may lose her vision and has since devoted her life to becoming the best ophthalmologist she can be.

She is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cornea transplantation, refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK), crosslinking, complex cataract surgery, ocular surface procedures, and medical cornea. She also enjoys seeing patients for general eye examinations.

Dr. Lee graduated cum laude from Harvard University and received her M.D. from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Lee then completed her medicine internship at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, where she received the Outstanding Preliminary Intern Award, and her ophthalmology residency at Stanford University. During her residency, Dr. Lee was awarded the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Resident Excellence Award. She then completed a fellowship year in medical and surgical cornea, refractive surgery, and external diseases at UCSF and the Francis I. Proctor Foundation. Dr. Lee was awarded a Heed Fellowship, the highest possible national honor in the field of ophthalmology.

Prior to joining Tozer Lee Eye Center, Dr. Lee was an Assistant Professor at the University of Washington with a busy clinical practice at a tertiary referral and trauma center for the region. During her time in Seattle, Dr. Lee was voted a “Top Doctor” in the Seattle metro area by her peers in 2020 and 2021. In addition, she is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology ONE Refractive Committee and has contributed numerous peer-reviewed publications, articles, editorials, and book chapters in the field of ophthalmology.

In her free time, Dr. Lee enjoys staying active, hiking, trying new restaurants, listening to classical and jazz music, and traveling around the world with her husband. Dr. Lee also performs mission work abroad and has been to North Korea and Nepal to perform and teach eye surgery.

Dr. Lee maintains an educational YouTube page for patients.  Please click the link below to follow her excellent educational content:

Michele Lee, MD - YouTube

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS)