Danielle Trief, MD

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).