Our Doctors
Meet the staff at Caplan Eye Clinic. Each of our doctors is dedicated to the highest quality patient care.
After receiving his Medical Degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, Dr. Daniel I. Caplan completed his Residency in Ophthalmology at the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. He is a former Vice-President and board member of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology. He is also a former Chairman of the Eye Department and Member of the Medical Executive Committee at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, LA.
Dr. Caplan is a pioneer in Refractive Surgery and Vision Correction Procedures, having been among the first in the region to perform Radial Keratotomy in the early 1980’s and Laser Vision Correction and LASIK in the 1990’s. He has successfully performed thousands of Laser Vision Correction Procedures and has taught the procedures to dozens of other Eye Surgeons and he has lectured throughout the country on Vision Correction Procedures.
Dr. Caplan created a commercially produced computer software to track vision correction surgical outcomes. He also specializes in Custom Wavefront LASIK and the new IntraLase (“blade-free”) LASIK procedure.
Dr. Caplan is the Medical Director and CEO of the Caplan Eye Clinic. He is a member of the Clinical Faculties of the Tulane University School of Medicine and the Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is the father of two children. His son is Dr. Chad Caplan – 3rd generation eye physician at Caplan Eye Clinic. His daughter is a Clinical Psychologist.
Dr. Brendon J. Sumich grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Brother Martin High School. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in Athens, GA and his M.D. degree from the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. After completing an Internship in Internal Medicine at the Ochsner Medical Center, Dr. Sumich then completed his Residency in Ophthalmology at the LSU/Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans, where he served as Chief Resident during his senior year.
Dr. Sumich then went to Boston, Massachusetts to complete a fellowship in Cornea and External Eye Disease at the New England Eye Center of Tufts University and Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston.
As a fellowship-trained cornea specialist, Dr. Sumich specializes in the medical and surgical care of routine & complex corneal diseases. He is one of the most highly experienced laser cataract surgeons in the region. Additionally, Dr. Sumich performs LASIK and PRK procedures. Dr. Sumich is the Surgical Director of Caplan Eye Clinic.
In his spare time, Dr. Sumich enjoys running and traveling. He is also an avid Saints fan. Dr. Sumich and his wife Jami reside in New Orleans with their son.
Dr. Chad M. Caplan grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Haynes Academy Magnet High School in Metairie. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He then completed a Masters Degree in Pharmacology at Tulane University Medical Center. Dr. Caplan also earned his M.D. degree from Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans.
Dr. Caplan completed his Residency in Ophthalmology at Tulane Medical Center. He was selected to be Chief Resident by his staff and peers. He specializes in comprehensive ophthalmology, including cataract care, glaucoma care and LASIK. He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Tulane University.
Dr. Caplan is the third generation ophthalmologist in his family. He resides in Metairie with his fiancé Sarit.
Dr. Brett C. Budden is a retinal specialist and surgeon. He is a native of Lafayette, LA. He graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge prior to moving to New Orleans where he earned his Medical Degree from LSU School of Medicine.
Dr. Budden completed his Ophthalmology residency at the LSU Medical Center and Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, where he served as Chief Resident. He then went on to complete a two-year retina fellowship at Tulane University Medical Center and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center focused on the medical and surgical management of diseases of the vitreous and retina.
Dr. Budden’s main interests are the diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal tears and detachments as well as other pathology affecting the vitreous, macula, and retina.
Dr. Budden lives in Lakeview with wife and daughter.
Dr. Ze Zhang is a glaucoma specialist and surgeon. She grew up in New Orleans and attended Benjamin Franklin High School.
Dr. Zhang graduated from the University of Southern California and earned her medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine. She then completed an Ophthalmology Residency at Tulane University School of Medicine and a Glaucoma Fellowship at the University of Iowa School of Medicine.
As a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist, Dr. Zhang specializes in the medical and surgical care of glaucoma. She is one of the region’s most experienced glaucoma experts.
Dr. Zhang lives in New Orleans with her husband.
Dr. Lauren H. Lim is a glaucoma specialist and surgeon. She graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine, as one of a handful accepted into Tulane’s Accelerated Physician Training Program. She also completed her residency training in ophthalmology at Tulane University and went on to complete a fellowship specializing in the treatment of glaucoma.
Dr. Lim was elected into her medical school’s Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She is passionate about giving back to her community and has contributed to numerous clinical research projects with the goal of advancing and improving care for patients
Dr. George S. Ellis, Jr. is an ophthalmologist who specializes in Pediatric Eye Diseases and Adult Strabismus. He has been practicing in the Greater New Orleans area since 1983.
Dr. Ellis graduated from Tulane Medical School and completed a residency in Ophthalmology at the Duke University Eye Center. He also completed his fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at Duke University – Wadsworth Eye Center in North Carolina. In 1995, after 12 years on full time faculties at the LSU Eye Center and the Tulane University Department of Ophthalmology, he assumed the Directorship of Ophthalmology at Children’s Hospital New Orleans which he led for over 25 years.
Dr. Ellis has special interest in infant vision testing and, in the diagnosis and treatment of Droopy Eye Lids (Ptosis), Crossed Eyes (Strabismus), Lazy Eye (Amblyopia), and Blocked Tear Ducts (Lachrymal Obstruction). He enjoys the training of residents and students, both Medical and Orthoptic. In recognition of his contributions to both Tulane and LSU Medical Schools, he holds the rank of Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Pediatrics.
Dr Ellis and his wife, Kelley Hunter Ellis, have two children and 6 grandchildren. They live in New Orleans with their two dogs.
Dr. Stephen Welcker is a lifelong resident of New Orleans. He graduated in the Charter Class of Brother Martin High School. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of New Orleans. He then attended L.S.U. Nursing school.
As a senior optometry student, he did an externship at the U.S. Public Health Hospital in Uptown New Orleans. He then earned his degree from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He received his post graduate Certification for Advanced Procedures and Laser Examination from the University of Houston College of Optometry.
Dr. Welcker was in private practice in Metairie for 30 years, followed by 12 enjoyable years as a civilian staff Optometrist at the Belle Chasse Navy Optometry clinic. Dr. Welcker then re-joined Caplan Eye Clinic. He loves serving the New Orleans community as a general optometrist.
Dr. Welcker is married, has two grown children and one grandchild. In his spare time, he enjoys an occasional round of golf, fishing, and traveling.
Now retired, Dr. Daniel A. Long graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans. He received his Medical Degree from the LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans.
Dr. Long then completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans. Dr. Long practiced Comprehensive Ophthalmology on the Westbank for many years. His specialties included cataract surgery, glaucoma care and LASIK.
Dr. Long is married to ophthalmologist Dr. Monica Monica. They have 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren.
(1915-2004)
Dr. Harry B. Caplan was born in New Orleans in 1915, the son of immigrant parents from East Europe. He graduated from Fortier High School in 1931. He attended Tulane University. He received a Doctor of Optometry degree from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.
He received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Louisiana State University School of Medicine in 1944. He received numerous academic awards in medical school, including the prestigious Walter Reed Memorial Prize. While attending medical school, Dr Caplan also practiced optometry part-time and managed the optical department at Maison Blanche Department Store. Dr. Caplan completed a medical internship at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans in 1945. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at the New Orleans Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital in 1947.
In 1938, Dr. Caplan established the Caplan Eye Clinic, which still provides eye care services in the New Orleans area. After building the practice into one of the most respected eye clinics in the region, Dr. Caplan retired in 2002 at the age of 87. He still went to his office at Caplan Eye Clinic nearly every day afterwards to visit with patients and staff.
Dr. Caplan was a member of the medical staffs of the New Orleans Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital, Touro Infirmary and East Jefferson General Hospital. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the New Orleans Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Hospital for many years and was elected President of the medical staff in 1970.
Dr. Caplan was a founding member of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology. He served in numerous leadership roles in the Academy for more than 40 years. Dr. Caplan served as President of the New Orleans Academy of Ophthalmology from 1972-1974. At the time of his death, he had been married for 55 years to his devoted wife, Janice. Mrs. Caplan was involved in nearly every aspect of building the Caplan Eye Clinic into a highly successful and respected medical practice.
Dr. Caplan is survived by his three adult children and their spouses.