Timothy McCulley

Dr. Timothy McCulley is Professor and Chair of the Ruiz Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, where he also holds the Richard S. Ruiz, MD Distinguished University Chair. He joined UTHealth Houston from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he held the Earl D. Kidwell, Jr., M.D. Professorship in Ophthalmology and served as vice chair for clinical strategic planning at the Wilmer Eye Institute.

Dr. McCulley received his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, completed a combined medical and surgical internship at the University of Hawaii, and ophthalmology residency at Stanford University. He is dual fellowship trained in both oculoplastic surgery (Cincinnati Eye Institute) and neuro-ophthalmology (Bascom Palmer Eye Institute). Prior to joining Johns Hopkins in 2011, he served on the faculty at Stanford University School of Medicine and the University of California San Francisco.

His clinical expertise spans Neuro-Ophthalmology and Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, with specific focus on cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids, orbit and tear drainage system. His research interests include neoplasms of the orbit and eyelids, Graves disease, blepharoptosis, and disorders of the optic nerve. His publication record shows consistent contributions to understanding orbital diseases, traumatic optic neuropathy, intracranial pressure relationships, and surgical techniques in oculoplastics.

Dr. McCulley has authored over 100 peer-reviewed research articles and served as chief or section editor for four books with more than 25 additional book chapters. His most recent scholarly contributions include authoritative reports for the American Academy of Ophthalmology on vision-threatening complications of soft tissue fillers and intraoperative image guidance in orbital and lacrimal surgery.

• Richard S. Ruiz, MD Distinguished University Chair
• Earl D. Kidwell, Jr., M.D. Professorship in Ophthalmology (former)

As an educator, Dr. McCulley serves as the primary preceptor for an ASOPRS accredited oculoplastic fellowship and supervises medical students, residents, and fellows across multiple clinical and research settings. He has been part of numerous funded basic science projects and clinical trials throughout his career. His leadership extends to directing divisions of Oculoplastic Surgery and Neuro-Ophthalmology, as well as spending two years as director of oculoplastic surgery at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Saudi Arabia.