Corneal Associates, PC
840 Walnut Street
Suite 920
Philadelphia, PA 19107-5109
Phone: 215-928-3180
Fax: 215-928-3854
Our Physicians
Christopher J. Rapuano, MD
- College - B.A. Brown University, 1982
- Medical School - Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1986
- Internship - Mount Auburn Hospital, 1987
- Residency - Wills Eye Institute, 1990
- Fellowship Training - University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, 1991
- Academic Appointments – Co-Director, Cornea Service; Co-Chief, Refractive Surgery Department, Attending Surgeon, Wills Eye Institute; Professor of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
- Certification - American Board of Ophthalmology, 1991
Dr. Rapuano, originally from Northern New Jersey, joined the Cornea Service at
Wills after his fellowship in 1991. He was instrumental in reintroducing refractive surgery to Wills at that time. Dr. Rapuano is a nationally and
internationally recognized expert in corneal diseases, with a special interest in refractive surgery. He feels that cornea specialists are particularly
skilled at performing LASIK, which essentially involves reshaping the cornea. As a cornea specialist who performs LASIK, he is especially good at
determining who is and is not a good candidate for LASIK, thereby decreasing the risk of complications after LASIK. Dr. Rapuano performs all pre-operative
and post-operative care for his LASIK patients. When complications occasionally occur, other LASIK doctors refer their patients to Dr. Rapuano for his
expertise and care.
He has published several books and over 100 research papers in the medical literature on corneal diseases and excimer laser PTK surgery. During his ophthalmology residency, Dr. Rapuano co-authored a best-selling textbook in ophthalmology, The Wills Eye Institute Manual. This book is considered the bible to ophthalmology residents throughout the country during their training, and it is in its 4th edition. He recently published The LASIK Handbook — A Case-Based Approach. Dr. Rapuano serves on many committees of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and on the editorial boards of numerous peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals, including the American Journal of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Ophthalmalogical Society.
Dr. Rapuano lives with his wife, Sara, and their four children in the Philadelphia suburbs. Sara is involved in the administration of Corneal Associates and does medical practice management and hospital consulting.
Kristin M. Hammersmith, MD
- College - University of North Carolina, 1994
- Medical School - West Virginia University, 1998
- Internship - Washington Hospital Center, 1999
- Residency - Wilmer Ophthalmologic Institute, Johns Hopkins University, 2002
- Fellowship Training - Wills Eye Institute, 2003
- Academic Appointments – Director, Cornea Fellowship Program; Assistant Surgeon, Wills Eye Institute; Instructor, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
- Certification - American Board of Ophthalmology, 2003
Dr. Hammersmith joined Corneal Associates in September of 2003 after finishing a
year of corneal fellowship here. Dr. Hammersmith says, "I found that I enjoy anterior segment surgery, especially the opportunity to consistently and
dramatically make a positive impact on patients’ lives. The specialty also allows for the development of long-term relationships with patients, the best
part of medicine."
She is excited to be here at Wills as an active part of the teaching program. She is the director of the Wills Eye Institute Cornea Fellowship Program and teaches the residents in the Wills Eye Institute Residency Program. Her research interests include the study of severe ocular surface diseases such as dry eye, blepharitis, ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, and recurrent erosions. She is one of a few doctors nationwide involved in treating severe ocular surface disease with the artificial cornea transplant, Boston K-Pro. In addition, she has a special interest in corneal disease in children.
Dr. Hammersmith is married and lives in Center City Philadelphia with 2 children. Her husband, Doug, works for the Campbell’s Soup Company.
Parveen K. Nagra, MD
- College - BA, University of Michigan, 1996
- Medical School – MD, University of Michigan, 1999
- Internship - Albert Einstein Medical Center, 2000
- Residency - Wills Eye Hosptial, 2003
- Fellowship Training – Wills Eye Cornea Service, 2004
- Academic Appointments – Attending Surgeon, Wills Eye Institute; Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University
- Certification - American Board of Ophthalmology, 2005
Dr. Nagra joined the Cornea Associates in 2010, after working in private practice with Academic affiliations for the 6 previous years following completion of her fellowship. She is a highly skilled cornea and cataract surgeon. She has a special interest in cataracts in patients with corneal disease.
Dr. Nagra lives in Bucks County with her husband, a cardiologist and 3 children.