Peter A. Rapoza M.D.

Offices
OCB Boston, OCB Waltham, Boston Eye Surgery & Laser Center, Boston Eye Surgery & Laser Center ~ West, OCB Beverly - Cummings Center

Specialties
Cataract, Cornea, Refractive Surgery/LASIK, Surgery of the Anterior Segment

Medical School/Degree
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Biography
Peter A. Rapoza, M.D., is an internationally recognized authority in the areas of refractive surgery and the medical and surgical treatment of the cornea and ocular surface. He has been an investigator in studies on radial and astigmatic keratotomy, photorefractive keratectomy, LASIK, corneal transplantation and cataract surgery. He has also participated in numerous clinical trials for ophthalmic pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of corneal transplantation rejection, ocular inflammation in cataract surgery, dry eyes and ocular infections. He has worked extensively in teaching and providing medical care in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and South America. Dr. Rapoza has appeared on several television programs including “Connie Chung’s Eye to Eye,” CNN and Public Broadcasting.

Dr. Rapoza graduated with distinction from Northwestern University where he was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He received his medical degree with honors from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Scholastic Honor Society. Dr. Rapoza completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the University of Chicago Hospitals and Clinics. He completed his residency at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute of Johns Hopkins Hospital. Prior to his fellowship, Dr. Rapoza worked in Tanzania on the team performing a pivotal study of the causes of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa and uncovering important clues to the transmission of the blinding disorder trachoma. Dr. Rapoza was awarded a prestigious Heed Foundation Fellowship to pursue his subspecialty training in cornea and external disease at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was named Director of Cornea, External Disease and Refractive Surgery and pursued a full-time academic career for six years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Rapoza moved to Boston to become a partner in Cornea Consultants. He is a founding partner of both the Laser Eye Center of Boston and the Laser Eye Consultants of Boston (LECB). Dr. Rapoza merged his practice with Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston in 2006. Dr. Rapoza is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology at the Harvard Medical School and the Assistant Medical Director of the New England Eye Bank. A highly experienced refractive, corneal and cataract surgeon, Dr. Rapoza has trained scores of fellows and hundreds of other physicians in refractive, corneal and cataract surgery. He has authored numerous medical papers and book chapters including co-authoring “Vision Correction Surgery: Refractive Surgery and Intraocular Lens Implants” in the textbook Biomedical Engineering Principles of the Bionic Man. He lectures worldwide and serves as a consultant to the Ministry of Health of several nations. Dr. Rapoza is the recipient of an Honor Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for his scientific contributions and leadership in educational activities. He served on the Preferred Practice Plan Panel for Cornea and External Diseases setting practice guidelines for his areas of sub specialization.

Dr. Rapoza is one of only two Massachusetts surgeons selected for inclusion in “Trusted LASIK Surgeons” consisting of the top 1% of LASIK, laser vision, refractive and cataract surgeons in the United States. He has been selected by his peers as one of “America’s Top Ophthalmologists” and is listed in “Best Doctors in America.” Boston Magazine has recognized him as one of the top ophthalmologists in the region. He is also listed in Who’s Who in America. His experience with presbyopia-correcting implants has earned his practice the designation as a Crystalens Center of Excellence. He is a United States Coast Guard licensed captain and a graduate of the Citizen’s Academy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Dr. Rapoza has served in various volunteer capacities with numerous local, national and international not-for-profit organizations. He is currently on the Board of Overseers of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Dr. Rapoza is an avid sailor, SCUBA diver, fitness enthusiast, dog rescuer and cook.

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