Tongalp H. Tezel, MD leads the retina service at the Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Tezel is an internationally known clinician-scientist and a leader in the management of vitreoretinal diseases. He was previously Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and the Kentucky Lions Endowed Chair in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Louisville.

Dr. Tezel received his medical degree and initial ophthalmology training in Turkey and Denmark before completing his ophthalmology residency at Washington University School of Medicine. He later trained under Dr. Stanley Chang and received his fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery here at Columbia University.

Dr. Tezel's research laboratory focuses on investigating the molecular mechanisms of various retinal diseases. His main research interests include retinal cell transplantation, angiogenesis, pharmacologic vitreolysis, tissue engineering and drug development for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, and has developed several techniques used for tissue engineering and retinal cell replacement therapies.