Glaucoma
UNC Ophthalmology Vice Chair and Professor of Ophthalmology David Fleischman, MD, FACS, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist whose focus is on the management of glaucoma and cataracts. Dr. Fleischman specializes in treating glaucoma through medical, laser, surgical and micro-invasive approaches. He also treats routine and complex cataracts and ocular trauma.
His research interests include mechanisms of glaucoma pathogenesis; the role of cerebrospinal fluid pressure in glaucoma and other ophthalmic diseases; outcome measures of techniques in glaucoma surgery; and cataracts and ocular trauma. He has authored numerous book chapters and written or co-authored over 25 peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Fleischman is fluent in English and Spanish. He sees patients at UNC Kittner Eye Center and UNC Specialty Care at Pittsboro. He performs surgery at UNC Hospitals Hillsborough and at UNC Chatham Hospital.
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology Meredith R. Klifto, MD is a native of Oakdale, NY. She graduated from The New York University School of Medicine in 2013 and completed her ophthalmology residency at NYU. While a medical student, she volunteered at the NYC Free Clinic and the Harm Reduction Alliance, both at NYU.
Dr. Klifto completed her fellowship in glaucoma at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2019. She has numerous publications, abstracts and presentations in retina disease and glaucoma. Her clinical interests include glaucoma treatment by medical, laser and surgical means including trabeculectomy, tube shunt, minimally-invasive surgery, cataracts, ocular trauma and pediatric glaucoma. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Phi Beta Kappa.
Dr. Klifto enjoys snow skiing, golf, boating and running. In college, she was a member of the NCAA Division I Crew Team at Colgate University and was a member of the women’s soccer team at Manchester University in Manchester, England, in 2007. Dr. Klifto lives locally with her husband, an orthopedic hand surgeon, and three daughters.
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology Rodolfo Bonatti, MD, has extensive academia and private practice experience and expertise in treating adult and pediatric glaucoma, as well as other areas, including cataract surgery and ocular trauma. He enjoys exploring tailored treatment options with patients and offers care in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. His glaucoma proficiency extends to medical and surgical glaucoma interventions, including laser procedures, trabeculectomy, tube shunts, and minimally invasive surgeries.
Dr. Bonatti completed his Glaucoma fellowship (2022-2023) at Dalhousie University Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences in Nova Scotia, Canada. Prior to glaucoma subspecialization, he trained as an Ophthalmology resident (2017-2020) and an Oculoplastic fellow (2019-2021) at Hospital das Clinicas of the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Dr. Bonatti offers outpatient glaucoma and cataracts specialized care at UNC Kittner Eye Center and UNC Holly Springs Ophthalmology office. He offers procedural care at UNC Hospitals Hillsborough and UNC Holly Springs Hospitals.
Professor of Ophthalmology David Belyea, MD, MBA, FAAO, FACS, joined UNC Department of Ophthalmology faculty after serving as Professor and Chair of Ophthalmology at The George Washington University, as well as Glaucoma Fellowship Program Director and Residency Program Director. A graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine, Dr. Belyea completed his ophthalmology residency at the former Letterman Army Medical Center and his glaucoma fellowship at California Pacific Medical Center. A retired U.S. Army Colonel with over three decades of military service, Dr. Belyea has been recognized nationally for his leadership, teaching, and research in glaucoma.