Dr. Alon Kahana, MD, PhD

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An internationally renowned expert in orbital and ophthalmic plastic surgery, Dr. Kahana is one of the country’s most experienced eye plastic and orbital surgeons. He serves patients in Novi and Ann Arbor through his privately owned practice, Kahana Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery, and also has an academic appointment at the Beaumont Eye Institute, serving patients in Royal Oak.

Established in 2022, Kahana Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery aims to provide exceptional medical and surgical care to patients with disorders of the eyelids, orbit, and lacrimal system. Known for exceptional and innovative surgical techniques, Dr. Kahana has the type of experience that is often associated with a major academic medical center, but with the accessibility and personal touch that you’d expect from a high-end private practice.

The doctor’s practice covers all aspects of orbital and periocular plastic surgery. While continuing to serve the community as “the surgeon of last resort” for the most complex orbital and blinding disorders and for repairing the most challenging complications. Dr. Kahana is also able to bring his considerable experience to the care of more straight-forward concerns, including eyelid and facial cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Kahana has a national reach for rare and complex disorders, in particular thyroid eye disease, orbital surgery, congenital ptosis and blepharophimosis. He is also at the cutting edge of rare and complex procedures such as corneal neurotization, socket reconstructions, and ocular surface reconstructions, frequently utilizing nerve grafts, amniotic membrane, and salivary or buccal mucous membrane grafting.

At the age of 14, Dr. Kahana moved with his family to Connecticut from his birthplace of Ramat Gan, Israel. He completed his undergraduate studies in Biochemistry at Brandeis University, graduating Summa Cum Laude and with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He then received his medical degree and  PhD in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology from The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He completed his residency in ophthalmology and an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) fellowship in oculofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Wisconsin under the preceptorship of Dr. Mark Lucarelli. He simultaneously completed a facial cosmetic surgery fellowship under the preceptorship of Dr. Bradley Lemke. His fellowship thesis won the prestigious Marvin Quickert Award from ASOPRS.

In 2007, Dr. Kahana was recruited to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center where he developed an international reputation in orbital surgery – particularly thyroid eye disease – and pediatric oculoplastics – particularly blepharophimosis and congenital ptosis. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications, multiple book chapters and reviews, and has given >100 lectures throughout the United States and internationally, including several endowed lectures and visiting professorships.

In 2020, Dr. Kahana was given the honor of delivering the annual Ralph E. Wesley ASOPRS Foundation Lecture. He has served in numerous leadership positions, including as Founder and President of the North American Society of Academic Orbital Surgeons (NASAOS) and Chair of the Thesis Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee for ASOPRS. In addition to ASOPRS and NASAOS, his professional organization affiliations include the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

As for his academic appointment, Dr. Kahana is Professor of Oculoplastic Surgery and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Ophthalmology at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. In addition to his relationship with the trainees at Beaumont, he also teaches ophthalmology residents at Ascension and Kresge/Wayne State University. He is also a Program Director for his own ASOPRS fellowship.

His research has been awarded grants from the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health, as well as philanthropic organizations and industry. Dr. Kahana was awarded career development and physician awards from Research to Prevent Blindness and has run a major prospective clinical trial on the treatment of advanced orbital and periocular basal cell carcinoma. He is also a noted educator and has won resident teaching awards at both the University of Michigan and the University of Wisconsin.

In his spare time, Dr. Kahana enjoys family activities with his wife and 4 children, participating in athletic activities (especially golf, tennis, skiing, and jogging), listening to music, playing guitar, piano and bass, and reading history books and mystery novels. He speaks English and Hebrew.

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