Highlights
Age Groups Seen
- Adult
Languages
- English
Gender
MaleAbout Peter Kaiser
Biography
Peter K. Kaiser, MD, is a Staff member of the vitreoretinal faculty of the Cole Eye Institute in the Department of Ophthalmology at Cleveland Clinic's Main Campus. He was appointed in 1997. Dr. Kaiser is the Founding Director of the Digital Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Reading Center at the Cole Eye Institute.
Dr. Kaiser received his medical degree magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass. He completed an internship in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, an ophthalmology residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston and a retinal fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida.
Actively involved in retinal clinical research, Dr. Kaiser is study chairman of 4 major, multi-center, international clinical trials and is a principal investigator in multiple other trials. Complementing his research endeavors, Dr. Kaiser serves on numerous scientific advisory boards and addresses his research interests as an invited speaker at national and international conferences.
Dr. Kaiser is a major contributor to medical literature having authored several ophthalmology texts, and more than 200 book chapters, original reports, electronic publications and abstracts. He is an associate editor of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and serves on the editorial boards of Retina, Retina Today, Retinal Physician and Ocular Surgery News.
Dr. Kaiser has been recognized by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Retina Specialists with Achievement and Senior Achievement Awards, and is listed in the "Best Doctors in America" list. He is the team ophthalmologist for the Cleveland Browns (National Football League), Cleveland Cavaliers (National Basketball Association) and the Cleveland Guardians (Major League Baseball).
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Education & Board Certifications
Education
- Fellowship: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute-Anne Bates Leach Eye Hospital, 1997
- Residency: Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 1996
- Internship: Massachusetts General Hospital, 1993
- Medical Education: Harvard Medical School, 1992
- Undergraduate: Harvard University, 1988
Board Certifications
- Ophthalmology: American Board of Ophthalmology, 1998
Professional Highlights
- Editor-in-Chief, Current Concepts in Retina
- Founding Director, Digital OCT Reading Center (DOCTR)
- Associate Editor, American Journal of Ophthalmology
- Editorial board, Retina, Retina Today, Retinal Physician, Ocular Surgery News
- Associate Editor, International Ophthalmology Clinics
Additional Training
- FELLOWSHIP: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
- Miami Florida
- Medical retina and vitreoretinal surgery 1996-1997
- RESIDENCY:Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary 1993-1996
- Boston, MA
- Ophthalmology
- INTERNSHIP:Massachusetts General Hospital 1992-1993
- Boston MA
- Internal Medicine
- MEDICAL SCHOOL:Harvard Medical School 1988-1992
- Boston MA
- Doctor of Medicine
- COLLEGE: Harvard College 1984-1988
- Boston MA
- Bachelor of Arts
Awards
- American Academy of Ophthalmology Senior Achievement Award (Senior Honor Award), 2008
- National Institute of Health, RO1 grant funding, 2005-present
- Who's Who in Executives and Professionals Listing National Register, West Islip NY, 2004- present
- American Society of Retina Specialists, Senior Achievement Award (Senior Honor Award), 2003
- American Society of Retina Specialists, Achievement Award (Honor Award), 2002
- Best Doctors in America listing, 2002 - present
- Best Doctors in Midwest listing, 2002-present
- Best Doctors in Cleveland listing, 2002-present
- American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award (Honor Award), 2001
- Strathmore's Who's Who listing, 2000-present
- Study Chairman, DENALI Phase 3 Study
- Study Chairman, VERITAS Phase 3 Study
- Study Chairman, VIO Phase 3 Study
- Study Chairman, TargeGen Phase 1 Study
Professional Memberships
Innovations & Patents
- Pioneer in the use of, and developer of several new 23 gauge surgical techniques, which allow sutureless vitrectomy surgery with less pain and faster visual recovery or patients
- Pioneer in new vitrectomy systems that offer better flow rates, faster cutting speeds, and safer probes than current machines
- First MD to use a modified RNA interfering molecule to treat age-related macular degeneration; this technique and its technology was the first time it had been used in any disease after the discovery of RNAi received the Nobel Prize in Medicine
- Pioneer in the use of spectral domain optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis and management of vitreoretinal diseases
Research & Publications
See publications for this provider. (Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)
Industry Relationships
Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists collaborate with industry to advance medical breakthroughs. These partnerships help commercialize discoveries for public benefit while maintaining scientific integrity. To ensure transparency and minimize potential bias, Cleveland Clinic reviews these relationships and publicly discloses when physicians/scientists receive significant compensation for consulting, serve in fiduciary roles, receive royalties, or hold equity interests related to their work. We manage potential conflicts through approval processes, annual reporting, and targeted management plans.
As of 2025-10-28, Dr. Kaiser has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below.
Fiduciary Role. Dr. Kaiser serves in a fiduciary capacity, such as an elected officer, director or chief medical officer, for the following companies or other entities:
- Ocular Therapeutix, Inc.
Consulting and/or Speaking. Dr. Kaiser receives fees of $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) as a paid consultant, speaker or as a member of an advisory committee for the following companies:
- Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
- RegenexBio, Inc.
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Aviceda Therapeutics
- Annexon Biosciences, Inc.
- Stealth BioTherapeutics Incorporated
- AbbVie, Inc.
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Bayer AG
Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.
* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.
Insurances Accepted
Video
Ratings & Reviews
4.9 out of 5
308 ratings, 57 reviewsThe Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/27/2026
Dr. Kaiser is the smartest person I have ever met! Surprisingly, he doesn''t have the ego that most super smart people do. He is a great communicator and I pay out of pocket to come and see him for his exceptional care and knowledge versus going to an in network provider in my area of Ohio. I drive from Toledo to see him and it is well worth it!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/17/2026
I was very pleased with the care provided. But my doctor was probably overbooked. That odd never a good situation for the doctor, the related staff, or the patients.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/8/2026
I was very happy working with Dr Kaiser and his fellows and residents. They made me feel very confident that I was getting the best care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/20/2026
Dr Kaiser explained things very well gave a positive attatude with possible new options
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Have recommended Dr Kaiser n Cole for years
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Dr. Kaiser is incredible. Extremely competent, a very clear communicator, genuinely interested/caring, and accessible on very short notice.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Dr. Kaiser is an amazing doctor. I appreciate his care and experience in his field.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
For the very first time (in many years), Dr. K was on time. YEAH!!!!!
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
It was disappointing that the dr arrived so late with no apology.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Already have recommended Cole eye clinic to a lady I just met. She was born with a lazy eye with no treatment as a child. No one wants to treat her because of the time she''s been dealing with the problem. I recommended Dr Kaiser n Cole to give her an honest second opinion
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
I have recommended Dr. Kaiser to my friends.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Dr. Kaiser and his staff were excellent! Their thorough examination of my damaged eye left no doubt to the fact that they''re highly rated experts in retina treatment!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Dr Kaiser and his staff are outstanding. I have been seeing Dr.Kaiser for over 10 years. His new understudy , Jill seemed very competent and communicated well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/23/2026
Dr. Kaiser is excellent in every way. When with him I knew I was with the best or one of the very best retina doctors In the nation. He genuinely cared about me and suggested what I should do next. I have the utmost confidence in his abilities.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/9/2026
Dr. Kaiser makes you feel like you are his only patient. Thank you for this wonderful physician.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2025
Dr. Keiser is a great guy!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2025
Dr. Keiser is a fantastic doctor!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/8/2025
Dr. Kaiser was professional and answered all my questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/2/2025
Dr Kaiser is the best!!!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/2/2025
I love Dr. Kaiser and his whole team!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/20/2025
Dr. Kaiser is absolutely the best and I'm glad my eyes are in his care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/13/2025
Dr. Kaiser and staff are very good and provide the best possible care.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
Dr. Kaiser is absolutely top notch! Explains everything. I could not be happier.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
Dr. Kaiser and his staff are great. He is very willing to talk with me about my concerns, answer my questions, and explain any treatment options. The same goes for his staff.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
Dr. Kaiser was very good at diagnosing my symptoms and referring me immediately to a surgeon to take care of my issue. Very professional.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/4/2025
I drive from Virginia to be cared for by Dr. Kaiser! I trust him implicitly. I also have Dr. Kirksley (vascular surgeon) at the Main Cleveland Clinic. He is wonderful too. Any critical-type health issues that I (may) encounter will be taken care of by Cleveland Clinic (my husband knows to get me up there! ).
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2025
I have recommended Dr. Kaiser to a friend and colleague ( retired teacher).
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2025
The only problem is a lot of waiting for the provider after all the tests were completed
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2025
Dr. Kaiser is an excellent physician. Dr. Kaiser treats me like he knows me and values my concerns as a real person. I never feel like a number.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/13/2025
Dr. Kaiser is the best.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/13/2025
Dr Kaiser is top notch, I respect and fully trust him with my eyes.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/24/2025
Dr. Kaiser is excellent and I would highly recommend him. I currently drive 4 hours each way to and from western New York.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/24/2025
Dr Kaiser is excellent just very very busy
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/11/2025
Dr. Kaiser Is an exceptional physician and I consider myself fortunate to be one of his patients. Thank you Dr. Kaiser!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2025
Dr. Kaiser and staff are the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
Always top notch and superior care from Dr. Kaiser!!!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
Everything good except a long wait to see doctor , overscheduling
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
Oh my oh my encounters with Dr. Kaiser have been positive he is a excellent physician and a joy to see he treats me well and he's just a remarkable person.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/19/2025
Dr. Kaiser and his team are great and work together well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/12/2025
Dr. Kaiser provided outstanding care and provided a thorough explanation of the treatment plan.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/4/2025
Dr Kaiser is always so professional and answers all questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/4/2025
Dr. Kaiser is the best!!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/4/2025
Great communication with the doctor
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/28/2025
Dr Kaiser schedule is always booking out. But he's one of the best!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/28/2025
I would not go anywhere else but the Cleveland Clinic and certainly no-one but Dr. Kaiser regarding my eyeProblem.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/28/2025
I truly feel that I am in the BEST of hands with Dr. Kaiser, working to keep my macular degeneration at bay. His expertise, skilled experience, and positivity are reassuring, each and every visit.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2025
Dr. Kaiser is the best. I am blessed to have him as my doctor. He listens and communicates in a genuine manner. I look forward to my visits with him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/23/2025
Dr. Kaiser and his staff are the varsity of ophthalmological care, knowledge and professional acumen . . .
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/23/2025
It is always a good experience when I have an appointment at Dr. Kaisers office. Everyone is always cheerful and helpful.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/23/2025
Dr. Kaiser is awesome.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/23/2025
Both the Fellow and the doctor took the time to explain my issue and recommendations for treatment. Answered all of my questions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/9/2025
Dr. Kaiser is an outstanding physician!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/29/2025
This was the first time seeing Dr Kaiser. He was a great doctor. Very personable, easy to talk to, caring and understanding.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/19/2025
Dr Kaiser was excellent, he was focused on my concerns and explained clearly his evaluation and prognosis of my health issue. The resident, was pleasant but detached and seemed to just go through the motions.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/19/2025
Dr. Kaiser is an exceptional doctor!
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/12/2025
Dr. Kaiser was very informative and understood and listened carefully to my explanation of my symptoms. I felt confident in his opinion.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/4/2025
Professional all around. Excellent physicians and staff.