About us

Michelle M. Hessen, O.D., is an assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute and is a member of the Ocular Surface Disease and Dry Eye Team. Dr. Hessen specializes in ocular surface diseases. In addition to providing general ophthalmic care and managing pre- and post-operative care of cataract surgery patients, she treats patients with dry eye associated with various conditions, including Sjogren's Syndrome, Graft vs. Host Disease and other autoimmune conditions. She also evaluates patients with blepharitis and allergic conjunctivitis.Dr. Hessen received her optometry degree from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She completed her optometry residency in ocular disease at the Baltimore VA Medical Center and has also completed a nine-week PROSE Clinical Fellowship at Boston Foundation for Sight, adding Prosthetic Replacement of the Ocular Surface Ecosystem (PROSE) device fitting to her clinical interests and skills.