Academic Appointments
- Helen and Martin Kimmel Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Danielle Trief MD MSc, is an assistant professor of Ophthalmology at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Trief specializes in the medical and surgical management of cornea, pediatric cornea, cataract, and external diseases. Her surgical expertise includes corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, secondary intraocular lens placement, anterior segment reconstruction, and laser vision correction. Dr. Trief runs a monthly clinic dedicated to children with corneal diseases.
Dr. Trief received her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and was elected Phi Beta Kappa. She was awarded a Thoroun Fellowship to pursue a Masters of Neuroscience at Oxford University. At Oxford, she published on neuroplasticity following stroke and graduated with honors. She completed medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, where she was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. She completed her ophthalmology residency at Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Eye and Ear infirmary and subsequently pursued a cornea and refractive surgery fellowship at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.
Dr. Trief has published numerous articles, book chapters, and teaching videos on adult and pediatric cornea. She has been invited to speak nationally and internationally on her research topics. She is dedicated to the well being of her patients and understands the role that vision can play in everyday life. She grew up volunteering at her mother’s preschool, a school for visually impaired and blind children. Dr. Trief is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the Cornea Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).
Board Certifications
- Ophthalmology
Areas of Expertise
- Cataract Surgery
- Anterior Segment Surgery
- Cataract
- Cornea and External Eye Disease
- Corneal Disorders
- Cornea Transplant
- Laser Surgery
- Laser Vision Correction
- Pterygium
- Refractive Eye Surgery
Education and Training
- MD, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
- MSc, Neuroscience, Oxford University (United Kingdom)
- Internship: Lankenau Hospital
- Residency: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
- Fellowship: New York Eye & Ear Infirmary
Locations
CUIMC/Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute
635 West 165th Street
New York, NY 10032- For new and current patient appointments, call:
- (212) 305-9535
- Fax:
- (212) 342-5293
ColumbiaDoctors - Third Avenue
880 Third Avenue
F 3 3/F
New York, NY 10022- For new and current patient appointments, call:
- (212) 305-9535
- Fax:
- (212) 201-4129
Insurance Programs
Please contact the provider's office directly to verify that your particular insurance is accepted.
- AETNA [Aetna Signature Administrators, EPO, HMO, Medicare Managed Care, NYP Employee Plan, NY Signature, POS, PPO, Student Health]
- CIGNA [EPO, Great West (National), HMO, POS, PPO]
- Emblem/GHI [Medicare Managed Care, PPO]
- Emblem/HIP [ConnectiCare, EPO, Essential Plan, HMO, Medicaid Managed Care, Medicare Managed Care, POS, PPO, Select Care (Exchange), Vytra]
- Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield [EPO, HMO, PPO]
- Local 1199 [Local 1199]
- MagnaCare (National) [MagnaCare]
- Medicare [Railroad, Traditional Medicare]
- Multiplan [Multiplan]
- Oxford Health Plans [Freedom, Liberty]
- RiverSpring [Special Needs]
- UnitedHealthcare [Compass (Exchange), Empire Plan, HMO, Medicaid (Community Plan), Medicare Managed Care, POS, PPO]
This provider accepts new patients
Appointment Phone Number: (212) 305-9535
Honors and Awards
2018, 2017 Super Doctors
2013 ASCRS Foundation Resident Excellence Award
2013 ASCRS Council of 100
2013 Resident Ambassador to AAO mid-year forum
2010 Glasgow-Rubin Achievement Award
2005-2006 The Thouron Fellowship
2005 Penn Student Agency Award of Merit