Fareed Aref Rifai, MD

Dr. Fareed Aref Rifai is a board certified and fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in the management of retinal and vitreous, including retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataracts and other vitreoretinal disorders.

Dr. Rifai completed his surgical retina fellowship at the University of Kentucky in partnership with Retina Associates of Kentucky. At Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, he completed his ophthalmology residency serving as chief resident, where he also completed his internal medicine internship. He earned his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. Prior to medical school, he graduated from the University of Miami where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with a minor in psychology.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Rifai has a strong research-based background, contributing to several peer-reviewed journals and presenting extensively at national conferences and medical associations. His research interests focuses on age-related macular degeneration, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery,choroidal neovascularization, and improving microsurgical techniques for first-year ophthalmology residents.

Dr. Rifai is deeply committed to service and global health. He has participated in multiple international medical missions providing ophthalmic care to underserved populations, including Syrian refugees in Jordan and indigenous communities in Mexico.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Rifai enjoys cooking, traveling, snowboarding, cheering on his favorite sports teams, listening to music, staying up to date with movies and entertainment, and spending quality time with his family.