Skip to main content

Kourtney Henderson Houser

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology, Corneal Diseases

Overview


Kourtney Houser, MD (Associate Professor of Ophthalmology) joined us from Hamilton Eye Institute at
University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN. She completed her cornea fellowship in
the Cullen Eye Institute at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX. Dr. Houser completed
residency training in ophthalmology at Tennessee Health Science Center, where she also earned her
medical degree. Her clinical interests include corneal transplantation (ie. PK, DALK, DSEK, DMEK),
corneal collagen crosslinking, complex cataracts, IOL exchange, cataract surgery with advanced
technology, including presbyopia correction and laser-assisted surgery and refractive surgery (ie. LASIK,
PRK, RLE). She sees patients at the Main Eye Center and Arringdon locations.

Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Ophthalmology · 2024 - Present Ophthalmology, Corneal Diseases, Ophthalmology
Faculty Director of the Ophthalmic Technician Training Program · 2022 - Present Ophthalmology, Clinical Science Departments
Director of Cornea Fellowship Program · 2024 - Present Ophthalmology, Corneal Diseases, Ophthalmology

Recent Scholarly Works


Bilateral upper lid symblepharon following posterior approach ptosis surgery.

Journal article Orbit · February 2026 An unusual case of bilateral upper eyelid symblepharon after routine ptosis repair uncovered occult Sjogren's syndrome, underscoring the need for thorough pre-surgical evaluation in all patients and systemic workups for post-operative cicatrization. ... Full text Link to item Cite

Anti-inflammatory treatments in microbial keratitis.

Journal article Saudi J Ophthalmol · 2026 Infectious keratitis remains a leading cause of corneal blindness worldwide. The role of topical anti-inflammatory agents such as corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and other steroid-sparing therapies in the management of infectious keratitis has not ... Full text Link to item Cite
View All Scholarly Works

Education


University of Tennessee Health Science Center · 2012 M.D.