Overview
C. Ellis Wisely, MD, MBA, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Duke University Eye Center, received his dual medical and business degrees from The Ohio State University. He completed his residency and chief residency in ophthalmology at the Duke University Eye Center. As Chief Resident, Dr. Wisely was a Clinical Instructor at the Duke Eye Center and served as the director of the ophthalmology consultation and ophthalmic trauma services at Duke University Hospital. In addition, he supervised resident cataract surgical education at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC).
Dr. Wisely continued his training with fellowship training in Cornea, External Disease, and Refractive Surgery at the Duke University Eye Center. During fellowship, Dr. Wisely gained expertise in corneal transplantation, including penetrating keratoplasty, DSEK, and DMEK procedures; lens procedures, including intraocular lens exchange, secondary intraocular lens, complex cataract surgery, and refractive cataract surgery; and refractive surgery, including LASIK and PRK procedures. Clinically he was involved in cutting edge care for patients with ocular surface diseases including dry eye disease.
He then began practice at the Duke University Eye Center, where he serves as principal and co-investigator on numerous research endeavors, including projects with charitable foundation and health industry sponsorship. Dr. Wisely has served on the Duke ophthalmology residency interview committee for several years. His clinical practice is currently based in offices at the Duke University Eye Center in Durham and at the Duke Eye Center of Winston Salem. His clinical practice also includes supervision of ophthalmology residents in his role as the Site Director for the Ophthalmology Resident Service at the Durham VAMC. In addition, Dr. Wisely is an affiliate of the Duke Sports Vision Center, serving as a consultant ophthalmologist for Duke University Athletics.
Dr. Wisely’s clinical, research, and educational work have resulted in accolades at the Duke University Eye Center including the Golden Apple Medical Student Educator Award (2020, 2022), The Robert Machemer Resident Research Award (2020), The Edward Isbey, Jr. Award for Excellence in Clinical Care, Ethics, and Research (2020), distinction for the Best Research Presentation by a Clinical Fellow (2022), and recognition as a Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Fellow (2021).
His academic accomplishments include over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles, textbook chapters, and scientific abstracts. His research work has earned him grants and awards from the Vitreoretinal Surgery Foundation, Research to Prevent Blindness, and Bausch and Lomb. His principal research interests are in ophthalmic surgical outcomes and techniques and in education of surgical residents.