Colleen Cebulla, MD, PHD
Physician, Professor
Ophthalmology - Retina, Ophthalmology
Make an appointment
614-293-8116Conditions and expertise
- Eye Cancers
- Ocular Oncology
- Uveal Cancers
- Lymphomas
- von Hippel-Lindau Disease
- Retinal Detachment
Locations
- Havener Eye Institute Westerville
- Havener Eye Institute in Eye and Ear Institute
Academics and research
Department: Ophthalmology
About
- Gender
- Female
Biography
I am Colleen Cebulla, MD, PhD, professor in the Department of Ophthalmology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, and I specialize in retinal disease, ocular oncology, inflammation, genetics and translational vision research. My research focuses on the mechanisms that drive retinal injury, degeneration and cancer, with the goal of developing new therapies that preserve vision and improve patient outcomes.
Highlights
- Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2014, 2016
- Named to the Castle Connolly list of 'America's Top Doctors'; "America's Top Doctors for Cancer"; "Regional Top Doctors"
- Best Doctor in America, 2010-present
- Top Cancer Doctors in the U.S., Newsweek, 2015
- Vice Chair of Research
- Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Conditions and expertise
- Eye Cancers
- Lymphomas
- Macular Degeneration
- Ocular Oncology
- Paraneoplastic Syndromes, Ocular
- Retinal Detachment
- Retinal Diseases
- Uveal Cancers
- von Hippel-Lindau Disease
Locations
Havener Eye Institute Westerville
Suite 240
Westerville, OH 43082
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Retina and Vitreous Surgery
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, United States
7/7/2007 - 7/7/2009 - Fellowship - Ocular Disease
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, United States
7/7/2006 - 7/6/2007 - Residency - Ophthalmology
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, United States
7/1/2003 - 6/30/2006 - Internship - Transitional Year
- Riverside Methodist Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
6/1/2002 - 6/30/2003 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
8/21/1995 - 6/14/2002
Certification
-
American Board of Ophthalmology
10/28/2007
Academics and research
As a board-certified ophthalmologist and as a clinician-scientist, my work centers on understanding how inflammation and genetics contribute to retinal disease and cancer. My research program investigates complex retinal pathologies, particularly conditions in which inflammation and tissue remodeling can lead to significant vision loss, including retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. In my laboratory, we develop and perform advanced imaging and functional analysis of animal models of retinal detachment and other retinal conditions to study neuroinflammatory and neurovascular pathways and identify opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Other conditions of interest include diabetes, macular degeneration, glaucoma, ocular tumors, paraneoplastic syndromes, and long Covid. Our work has identified macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as a promising therapeutic target in vitreoretinal disease and has advanced understanding of the mechanisms underlying retinal degeneration.
My research also includes ocular oncology, with a focus on the genomics of uveal melanoma. I contributed to The Cancer Genome Atlas Project for uveal melanoma and helped identify the hereditary BAP1 tumor predisposition syndrome. I also helped establish the BAP1 and Ophthalmic Oncology Genetics Clinic at Ohio State to support patients and families through specialized cancer care, early detection, and prevention strategies.
In addition to leading an active research program, I serve as Vice Chair for Translational Research in the Department of Ophthalmology; and as co-director of the NEI-funded P30 Vision Sciences Research Core, where I help oversee structural and functional imaging technologies. I also founded BuckEYEs on Science, a research forum that brings faculty and students together to share discoveries and foster collaboration. Mentoring the next generation of scientists and physician-scientists is an important part of my work, and I am committed to supporting trainees across all stages of their research careers.
Research interests
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Macular Degeneration
- Neoplasms
- Retinal Detachment
- Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy
- Glaucoma
- Long Covid
- Ocular Melanoma
- Paraneoplastic Syndromes
- BAP1 Tumor Predisposition Syndrome
- VHL
Active Funding
Characterization of the role of MIF on retinal health and disease
NIH R01EY GRANT13131707
04/01/2021-03/31/2026
The goal is to define the important functional relationships between MIF, signaling pathways, glia-mediated neuronal survival, and genome-wide transcriptional switches during retinal damage to set the stage for future studies targeting key molecular pathways to prevent and recover visual loss from retinal damage.
Role: PI
Professional Membership
- The Retina Society, 2012-present
- Columbus Eye Ear Nose Throat Society, 2010-present
- Eye Cancer Network, 2009-present
- International Society of Ocular Oncology, 2007-present
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, 2005-present
- American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2005-present
- Phi Beta Kappa, 1995-present
Academic information
- Department:
- Ophthalmology
- Division:
- Ophthalmology
Leadership titles
- Vice Chair for Translational Research in the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences
- Dr. Paul A. Weber Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology
- Medical Retina-Ocular Oncology Fellowship Director
- Director of the Lions Research Laboratory
- Director of the Retina Research Laboratory
More about my research
News and media
My Videos
My news coverage
Ratings and reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
178 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
Patient Comments
Consulting and related relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025, Colleen Cebulla has reported no relationships with companies or entities.
Good
Wait time was 3.5 hours. Totally unacceptable and not acknowledged or an explanation offered. Provider told me she missed lunch and seemed distracted or running on empty when she got to me after 5:00. Thus, she did not seem familiar with my record or to have reviewed thoroughly the tests performed at this appointment. My first visit with her and it was disappointing. Her fellow, Ms. Ramsey was outstanding and great bedside manner.
Always a pleasure
Thorough, friendly, educational
She was very thorough
Very knowledgeable
Took time to answer questions & gave options for some treatment options
Dr. Cebula iis very throrough and professional. Cares about outcomes.
Super, as usual
Easy to talk to, just seemed rushed
Was very friendly and thorough. Introduced student who was with her that day. Was checking on previous info and to get back with me.
Very good care but appointment was very lengthy
I think Dr Cubblla (spelling) is a very caring and concerned doctor. I didn't feel like she knew nothing about my illness, and actually took the time to research my symptoms. I believe I am finally on the right track with my eyes thanks to her
Excellent
Prompt and to the point
Kind, efficient, helpful
Very direct and thorough
I have nothing bad to say Waiting time was the only thing I disliked
She was wonderful
She was very kind and pute at ease