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Dr. Lucas Bonafede
Specialties
Pediatric Eye Care, LASIK & Vision Correction Surgery, Cataract Surgery, Strabismus, Glaucoma
Locations
Warren, Rochester Hills, Port Huron
Pediatric, Cataract and LASIK & Refractive Surgeon in Detroit, Michigan
Lucas Bonafede, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in pediatric ophthalmology, cataract surgery, and advanced vision correction procedures. At Fraser Eye Care Center, he provides comprehensive care across all stages of life—from treating complex pediatric eye conditions to performing refractive procedures such as LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) to help patients reduce dependence on glasses and contact lenses.
Fellowship-trained in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, Dr. Bonafede brings specialized expertise in caring for infants, children, and adolescents, while also maintaining advanced surgical skills in anterior segment and refractive surgery. Since joining Fraser Eye Care in 2020, he has helped expand the practice’s Refractive Surgery, Pediatric Ophthalmology, and Strabismus services, with a particular focus on pediatric care. His work has strengthened a specialized pathway for children and families seeking expert, compassionate eye care. His work spans routine pediatric vision screening to intricate surgical interventions, all delivered with precision and a patient-centered approach.
Education and Professional Training
Undergraduate Education
Dr. Bonafede earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University in May 2011. During his undergraduate years, he earned membership in Phi Beta Kappa and the Dean’s List (2007–2011), demonstrating exceptional academic achievement from the outset of his medical career path.
Medical School
Dr. Bonafede earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in May 2015. During medical school, he received the Charles A. Oliver Memorial Prize—a distinction awarded annually to a single medical student demonstrating exceptional clinical achievement in ophthalmology. This early recognition underscored his natural aptitude for the specialty and his commitment to excellence in patient care and clinical learning.
Residency and Fellowship Training
Following medical school, Dr. Bonafede completed a Transitional Year Internship at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan (July 2015–June 2016), gaining broad clinical exposure across internal medicine, surgery, and acute care disciplines.
He then completed his Ophthalmology Residency at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (July 2016–June 2019), one of the nation’s most prestigious ophthalmology training centers. During his three-year residency, Dr. Bonafede developed comprehensive expertise in anterior segment surgery, cataract management, glaucoma, neuro-ophthalmology, and pediatric eye disease under the mentorship of internationally recognized ophthalmologists.
Recognizing his particular strength in pediatric care, Dr. Bonafede pursued specialized fellowship training in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus at Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina (July 2019–July 2020). This focused training deepened his surgical skills in strabismus correction, pediatric cataract surgery, and the management of complex developmental eye conditions affecting children.
Board Certification
Dr. Bonafede is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, having successfully completed both the written and oral examinations. Board certification demonstrates that Dr. Bonafede has met rigorous standards of clinical knowledge, surgical competency, and ethical practice—and maintains ongoing commitment to professional excellence through continuing medical education.
Clinical Experience and Areas of Expertise
Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Dr. Bonafede’s clinical focus centers on the unique needs of young patients, from infants through adolescents. His pediatric expertise encompasses:
Pediatric Cataract Surgery
- Surgical management of congenital and developmental cataracts
- Advanced intraocular lens selection for pediatric patients
- Post-operative visual rehabilitation and amblyopia management
- Special surgical considerations for the pediatric eye
Refractive Management in Children
- Evaluation and treatment of refractive error in pediatric patients
- Management of accommodative esotropia and related conditions
- Vision correction strategies tailored to developmental stage and lifestyle
Strabismus Diagnosis and Surgery
- Comprehensive evaluation of eye misalignment (esotropia, exotropia, vertical deviations)
- Surgical correction of strabismus using precision techniques
- Management of restrictive eye movement disorders
- Treatment of strabismus in special populations and complex cases
- Minimally invasive surgical approaches
Refractive and Cataract Surgery
Beyond pediatric care, Dr. Bonafede maintains active clinical skills in:
- LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) for vision correction
- Corneal cross-linking for keratoconus and corneal ectasia
- Advanced refractive surgical techniques
- Cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens technology
Glaucoma Management
Dr. Bonafede participates in the evaluation and treatment of glaucoma across age groups, including:
- Medical management of elevated intraocular pressure
- Surgical and laser-based glaucoma interventions
- Pediatric glaucoma evaluation and long-term management
Comprehensive Pediatric Eye Care
Dr. Bonafede provides full-spectrum eye care for children, including:
- Routine comprehensive eye examinations and refractive assessment
- Early detection and management of developmental eye conditions
- Evaluation of vision problems affecting school performance and development
- Coordination of care with primary care physicians and other specialists
Research, Publications, and Academic Contributions
Dr. Bonafede maintains an active role in clinical research and has contributed significantly to the ophthalmic literature. His scholarly work spans pediatric ophthalmology, strabismus, anterior segment surgery, and glaucoma management.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Dr. Bonafede has authored or co-authored peer-reviewed articles in leading ophthalmology journals, including:
- Bonafede L, Sanvicente CT, Hark LA, Tran J, Tran E, Zhang Q, Costello R, Myers JS, Katz LJ. Beliefs and Attitudes of Ophthalmologists Regarding SLT as First Line Therapy for Glaucoma. J Glaucoma. 2020;10:1097/IJG.0000000000001615.
- Deaner JD, Amarasekera DC, Ozzello DJ, Swaminathan V, Bonafede L, Meeker AR, Zhang Q, Haller JA, et al. Accuracy of Referral and Phone-Triage Diagnoses in an Eye Emergency Department. Ophthalmology. 2020;S0161-6420(20)30728-4.
- Bonafede L, Go M, Cheng J, Belcastro AA, Bellet JS, Gabr H, Freedman SF, Velez FG. Periocular infantile hemangioma masquerading as dacryocele. J AAPOS. 2020;S1091-8531(20)30148-8.
- Bonafede L, Bender L, Shaffer J, Ying GS, Binenbaum G. Refractive change in children with accommodative esotropia. Br J Ophthalmol. 2019 Dec. pii: bjophthalmol-2019-314891.
- Bonafede L and J Giacometti. “Chapter 23: Tenzel Semicircular Flap.” Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: Tricks of the Trade, Thieme, 2019, pp. 146–149.
- Bonafede L, Ficicioglu CH, Serrano L, Han G, Morgan JI, Mills MD, Forbes BJ, Davidson SL, Binenbaum G, Kaplan PB, Nichols CW, Verloo P, Leroy BP, Maguire AM, Aleman TS. Cobalamin C Deficiency Shows a Rapidly Progressing Maculopathy with Severe Photoreceptor and Ganglion Cell Loss. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015 Dec;56(13):7875-87.
- Bonafede L, Shields C.L. Wills Eye Resident Case Series – Diagnosis & Discussion. An Elderly Woman Presents with Complaints of Unilateral Glare and Photophobia. Review of Ophthalmology. 2017 Jul; 24(7):63-65.
- Bonafede L. Wills Eye Resident Case Series – Diagnosis & Discussion. A middle-aged woman presents with painless double vision and lid swelling that results in a referral to Wills’ Ocular Oncology Service. Review of Ophthalmology. 2016 Nov;23(11):79-81.
- Nichols, EE, Bonafede L, Shields, CL. Wills Eye Resident Case Series – Diagnosis & Discussion. A 56-year-old woman presents to the Wills Eye Oncology Service with progressive vision loss in one eye. Review of Ophthalmology. 2018 Nov; 25(11):63-66.
Conference Presentations and Abstracts
Dr. Bonafede regularly presents his research at national and international conferences, including:
- Bonafede L, Sanvicente C., Tran J., Hark L.A., Zhang Q., Costello R., Katz L.J. An Educational Intervention to Increase Adoption of Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty as First-Line treatment for Glaucoma. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. Vancouver, BC. April 2019. (Presentation)
- Bonafede L, Levin A.V., Bell L., Lorch A. An Innovative Interprofessional Course in Ophthalmology and Low Vision for Occupational Therapy Students. 71st Annual Wills Eye Hospital Conference Free Paper Session. Philadelphia, PA. March 2019. (Presentation)
- Ozzello D.J., Bonafede L., Deaner J.D., Anhalt J.C., Zhang Q., Bailey R. Timing of cataract surgery, comorbid ocular injuries, and final visual acuity in patients with traumatic cataract following open- versus closed-globe injury. American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 2019. (Poster)
- Bonafede L, Bender L. Shaffer J., Gui-shuang Y., Binenbaum G. Refractive Change in Children with Accommodative Esotropia. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. May 2015. (Poster)
- Aleman T.S., Bonafede L., Ficicioglu C.H., Serrano L., Han G., Morgan J.I., Mills M.D., Forbes B.J., Davidson S.L., Binenbaum G., Kaplan P.B., Nichols C.W., Verloo P., Leroy B.P., Maguire A.M. Diagnostic Implications of Optical Coherence Tomography in Cobalamin C Deficiency. The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. May 2015. (Poster)
- Bonafede L, Aleman T.S. Ocular Findings in Hermansky Pudlak Syndrome. The Scheie Eye Institute 141st Anniversary Meeting. Philadelphia, PA. April 2015. (Presentation)
- Bonafede L, Lawrence L., Lattin D., Kim N., House R.D., Hillman B., de Wilde L., Harrison C., Fehrenbach N., Godfred-Cato S., Reynolds M.R., Ellis E.M., Prakalapakorn S.G. Ocular findings and visual function in children examined during the Zika Health Brigade in the U.S. Virgin Islands, March 2018. Fellows research day. (Poster)
- Bonafede L. Aregullin M. Natural Products with Potential Epigenetic Applications from Echinacea purpurea. The 26th Annual Spring Research Forum at Cornell University. Ithaca, NY. April 2011. (Poster)
Book Chapters and Educational Contributions
Dr. Bonafede has contributed chapters to ophthalmology textbooks, including:
- “Chapter 23: Tenzel Semicircular Flap” in Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery: Tricks of the Trade (Thieme, 2019)
- “Pediatric Cataract Surgery: Special Considerations” in The Duke Manual of Anterior Segment Surgery (in progress)
- “Strabismus Surgery: The Basics” in The Duke Manual of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Surgery (in progress)
Clinical Trial Participation
Dr. Bonafede serves as an active investigator in multiple sponsored clinical trials, advancing the field through rigorous evaluation of new treatments and surgical devices. His current and recent trial involvement includes studies of:
- Bimatoprost implant systems for glaucoma management
- Novel ophthalmic gels and solutions for corneal epithelial defects
- Investigational therapies for pediatric eye conditions
- Advanced intraocular implants and vision correction technologies
- Emerging glaucoma surgical devices and pharmaceutical interventions
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
Dr. Bonafede maintains active membership in leading professional organizations dedicated to advancing ophthalmology:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO): The world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS): Premier organization focused on cataract and refractive surgery innovation
- American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmologists and Strabismus (AAPOS): Specialty organization dedicated to pediatric eye care and strabismus
These memberships reflect Dr. Bonafede’s dedication to staying current with the latest advances in ophthalmology and maintaining the highest standards of clinical practice.
Patient Care Philosophy
Individualized Treatment Planning
Dr. Bonafede believes that pediatric eye care requires understanding not only the child’s clinical condition but also the family’s concerns, lifestyle, and goals. He takes time to explain findings in age-appropriate language, answer questions thoroughly, and develop treatment plans that fit each family’s unique circumstances.
Surgical Precision and Safety
Whether performing delicate strabismus surgery, managing complex pediatric cataracts, or performing advanced refractive and cataract procedures, Dr. Bonafede prioritizes meticulous surgical technique, careful patient selection, and realistic outcome expectations. His surgical approach balances technical excellence with thoughtful, individualized decision-making.
Continuity and Coordination
Dr. Bonafede maintains long-term relationships with his pediatric patients, following them through developmental stages and coordinating care with primary care physicians, schools, and other specialists as needed. This continuity ensures that vision problems are identified early and managed comprehensively.
Commitment to Education
Beyond clinical care, Dr. Bonafede is dedicated to educating patients and families about eye health, the importance of early vision screening, and the role of vision in child development. He also mentors residents and medical students, sharing his expertise with the next generation of ophthalmologists.
Personal Background and Community Connection
Dr. Bonafede was born and raised in Rafaela, Argentina, and is a native Spanish speaker. His family relocated to the Detroit metropolitan area during his childhood, and he has deep roots in the community. This personal connection to Michigan drives his commitment to providing specialized pediatric eye care to local families.
His bilingual fluency allows him to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking families, removing language barriers to quality care and ensuring that all patients feel heard and understood.
Additional Certifications and Training
- ICS 100b and 200b Certification
- Wilderness First Responder Certification
- ACLS Certified
- BLS Certified
- Good Clinical Practices Certification
I recently underwent cataract surgery on both of my eyes, performed by Dr. Lucas Bonafede at Fraser Eye, and I can't thank him enough for the amazing care I got. From the first time I met him about my cornea inflammation to the surgery day and follow-up visits, Dr. Bonafede and his team were super professional, friendly, and really made me feel at ease.Krishna
Dr.Lucas Bonafede deserves 10 Star he’s really good.I am so glad I changed my mom’s doctor and started seeing him.He listens treats good.Thank you for what you do everyday.D.R.
Dr. Bonafede is wonderful! He listened carefully to my sympyoms and didn't tell me that I was wrong. He finally diagnosed my problem which is rare disease. Thank Dr. Bonafede!Peggy
Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Bonafede specializes in pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus surgery, as well as cataract surgery and vision correction procedures, including LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). He also provides medical and surgical management of glaucoma.
Dr. Bonafede completed his ophthalmology residency at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia and his pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus fellowship at Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina. He earned his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Yes. Dr. Bonafede is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.
Yes. Dr. Bonafede is a native Spanish speaker and is fluent in both English and Spanish, allowing him to communicate directly with Spanish-speaking families.
Dr. Bonafede performs pediatric and adult cataract surgery, strabismus surgery, and a full range of vision correction procedures, including LASIK, PRK, EVO ICL, and Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE). He also provides corneal cross-linking, glaucoma procedures, and comprehensive pediatric eye examinations and vision screening.
Yes. Dr. Bonafede is an active investigator in multiple sponsored clinical trials and has published peer-reviewed research in leading ophthalmology journals. He also contributes to ophthalmology textbooks and presents regularly at national conferences.
To schedule a consultation, contact Fraser Eye Care Center at (586) 296-7250 or visit one of our Michigan locations. Our team will help you find an appointment time that works for your family’s schedule.
Dr. Bonafede combines extensive surgical training with a genuine passion for working with children. He takes time to understand each family’s concerns, explains findings clearly, and develops personalized treatment plans. His bilingual fluency and community roots also allow him to serve diverse families effectively.
About Fraser Eye Care Center
Fraser Eye Care Center is a comprehensive ophthalmology practice dedicated to delivering advanced eye care across the full spectrum of ophthalmic specialties. With multiple convenient locations throughout Michigan and a state-of-the-art surgical facility, the practice combines clinical expertise, cutting-edge diagnostic and surgical technology, and a patient-centered approach to achieve exceptional outcomes. From routine comprehensive eye exams to complex surgical interventions, Fraser Eye Care serves patients of all ages with a commitment to personalized care and clinical excellence.