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Illinois Eye-Bank Medical Directors

Joel Sugar, M.D.
Dr. Sugar graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1969. Then, in 1972, he completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Washington University in St. Louis. He completed his fellowship in Cornea and External Diseases at the University of Florida in 1973. Dr. Sugar’s research interests include mechanisms involved in the development of keratoconus and the treatment and prevention of herpes simplex eye disease. He is currently a Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago.

Elmer Tu, M.D.
Dr. Tu is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Medicine. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1992. Then, in 1993, he completed his fellowship in Cornea and External Disease at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Dr. Tu is currently an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago, where he also serves as the Director of the Cornea Service, which sees patients with corneal infections, keratoconus, cataracts, tumors of the front portion of the eye, blepharitis, dry eyes, eyelid and conjunctival problems, and many other disorders.

Illinois Eye-Bank, Watson Gailey Medical Directors

Catharine Crockett, M.D.
Dr. Crockett graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1986, and completed her Ophthalmology residency at the Wills Eye Hospital in 1990. After her residency she continued her education with Fellowship training in cornea and external disease at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Currently, she is an ophthalmologist with Eye Surgical Associates in Bloomington, Illinois, where she sees both adult and pediatric patients.

Gregory Halperin, M.D.
A native of Chicago, Dr. Halperin attended Rush University Medical College in Chicago, where he received his medical degree in 1997. He completed his residency in Ophthalmology at Rush University St. Luke's Medical Center, and, in 2001, participated in a one year fellowship in cornea and external disease at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Dr. Halperin is currently an ophthalmologist at the Gailey Eye Clinic. He has a special interest in the latest techniques of cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation, as well as laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma.