Dr. Robert A. Weiss received a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he double majored in English Literature and Zoology.  He received his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from the Chicago Medical School in 1982 at which time he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society. 

Dr. Weiss completed an internship at Cook County Hospital and specialty residency training in ophthalmology at Cornell University Medical Center -New York Hospital.  He pursued further specialty training in Ophthalmic Oncology and Orbital Disease at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.  Following this advanced training he completed a second formal fellowship in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Emory University Medical Center in Atlanta.  Dr. Weiss received his National Board Certification in 1983 and his Specialty Board Certification in Ophthalmology in 1987.

Returning to Cornell University Medical Center as a full-time faculty member, Dr. Weiss served as Assistant Director of the Ophthalmic Oncology Center, Director of the Cornell University Ophthalmology Residency Program, Director of the Eye Trauma Service, and he held an appointment in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Dr. Weiss also held positions as a: Consultant Physician for the New York State Department of Childhood and Adolescent Medicine, Staff Physician for the New York State Athletic Commission, Adjunct Attending Physician in the Department of Surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Assistant Attending Ophthalmologist at the Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn and Queens.

Dr. Weiss’ extraordinary skills have placed him in great demand as a lecturer both across the nation and internationally and have led to the publication of dozens of articles and textbook chapters in the medical literature.  Dr. Weiss has received numerous awards for teaching excellence including the prestigious “Golden Apple Award” as the “Best Teacher in Ophthalmology” from the physicians-in-training at the University of Illinois at Chicago and best lecturer from the Chicago Ophthalmologic Society and the Ossler Institute.  Dr. Weiss has been recognized for his excellence as a physician by “Chicago Magazine” and “Best Doctors in America.”  Dr. Weiss has also been recognized for his humanitarian efforts. He routinely participates in medical missions to underdeveloped regions of the world.  He has served as a visiting professor and he has performed numerous pro bono cases throughout the world including: Philippines, Romania, Ukraine, Poland, Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Ghana, Egypt, Israel and Morocco.

Dr. Weiss is a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the American Society of Oculoplastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.  Dr. Weiss is a Clinical Associate Professor in both the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science and in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Illinois School of Medicine and he is a partner of the Chicago Eye Institute

Family and Background

Dr. Weiss comes from a long line of respected physicians.  He was born and raised in the city of Chicago where he resides with his family and his dogs, Spring and Merlin.  His late wife, Tina, was a professional patient advocate for the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.  Through her influence and guidance, Dr. Weiss developed a deep spiritual approach to life which he has integrated into his professional practice.  He is an avid photographer, cyclist and gardener.