Kimberly Stepien, MD

Kimberly Stepien, MD, is a UW Health ophthalmologist (eye specialist) with expertise in retinal diseases and disorders. She's also a professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Dr. Stepien diagnoses and treats inherited retinal disease, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, blocked retinal blood vessels (retinal vascular occlusions) and other eye conditions. She directs a subspecialty clinic for patients with inherited retinal disease. These include retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and rare genetic disorders, such as Stargardt disease.

Taking a personalized approach to care, Dr. Stepien treats patients with respect and compassion. She helps them understand their condition and treatment options, focusing on unique needs and preferences. Dr. Stepien empowers patients and their families to make health care decisions that work best for them.

In addition to patient care, Dr. Stepien researches inherited retinal diseases and advanced imaging. She leads clinical trials to better understand and treat retinal diseases. Dr. Stepien co-directs the Wisconsin Advanced Imaging of the Visual System (WAIVS) lab. Her team explores innovative high-resolution imaging of the eyes.

In her free time, Dr. Stepien enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, gardening and other outdoor activities.

Eyesight impacts almost every aspect of our lives. To help a person see or to keep a person seeing significantly improves their quality of life and is very rewarding.