In August 2026, UNC Department of Ophthalmology was pleased to welcome Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Catherine (“Cate”) Cuite, MD, as the newest clinical faculty member of the department’s Oculofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery division. Dr. Cuite is American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO)-certified in ophthalmology and is also ABO specialty-certified in oculoplastic surgery. Her scope of expertise encompasses aesthetic and functional care of the eyelids and periorbital area. Dr. Cuite performs endoscopic (incisionless) tear drain surgery, eyelid reconstruction and cosmetic rejuvenation, as well as corrective procedural care for tumors and trauma to the soft tissue around the eye.
Over her career, Dr. Cuite has served patients in both teaching hospital and private practice settings. Her background includes 19 years at the Illinois Eye Center (Peoria, IL), where she served as faculty on the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria campus. In private practice, Dr. Cuite provided both aesthetic and functional oculofacial care for the Southpark office of Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Associates. Most recently, Dr. Cuite was an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC.
Dr. Cuite graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Biochemistry from Harvard University (Cambridge, MA). She received her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University (Bronx, NY). During her post-graduate years, Dr. Cuite completed her Internal Medicine internship at Yale University (Norwalk, CT) and her ophthalmology residency at the Casey Eye Institute at the Oregon Health Sciences University (Portland, OR). Dr. Cuite completed a one-year Oculoplastic Surgery fellowship at the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute (Oklahoma City, OK).
Dr. Cuite cares for UNC Ophthalmology patients at UNC Kittner Eye Center in Chapel Hill and at UNC Health Eye Care at Cary. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cuite at either location, please call 984-974-2020.