James F McDonnell

James F McDonnell, MD

Ophthalmology

Provider Groups

  • Loyola Medicine Physician

  • Loyola Physician Partners

Appointments (New Patients Welcome)
Provider Groups
  • Loyola Medicine Physician

  • Loyola Physician Partners

Services & Specialties

Areas of Specialization

  • Ophthalmology

Clinical Interests

Conditions Treated

  • strabismus
  • strabismus surgery
  • vision testing and screening in young children

About


Dr. McDonnell is Professor and Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus in the Department of Ophthalmology at Loyola University Medical Center since 1994. Dr. McDonnell received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and his MD from Northwestern University Medical School.

He began his medical career in Emergency Medicine at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago, but switched specialties completing his residency in Ophthalmology at the Eye Institute in Milwaukee at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He continued his subspecialty training completing a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at the University of Wisconsin in Madison Wisconsin in 1991.

Dr. McDonnell joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin from 1991-1993 and later spent time in private practice then joined the faculty at Loyola University Medical Center in 1994 where he remains on the faculty today.

Academic Title

Professor

Leadership Title

Medical Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology
Medical Director, Specialty Services - Ophthalmology
Director, Adult Strabismus Service

Ages Seen

Adolescents - 12 to 17
Children - 0 to 11
Adults - Over 65
Adults - 18 to 64

Additional Resources

Education & Certifications

Education

Education:
Georgetown University (1977)

Internship:
Northwestern University (1986)

Residency:
Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals Inc (1990)

Fellowship:
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (1991)

Board Certifications

Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, American Board of (1991)

Provider Groups

Loyola Medicine Physician

Loyola Physician Partners

Provider Ratings

The following ratings and reviews are based on verified feedback collected from independently administered patient experience surveys. The ratings and comments submitted by patients reflect their own views and opinions. Patient identities are withheld to ensure confidentiality and privacy. Learn More >

4.9 out of 5

(122 ratings)

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

25 Reviews

08/18/2025

Dr. McDonnell is a caring doctor. In the current time period, patients need this kind of care.

08/13/2025

We see Dr. McDonnell a few times each year due to my child's eye condition. Each visit Dr. McDonnell takes the time to go over everything with both my child and I. We always have a great experience.

08/13/2025

Very kind doctor and excellent and kind person when it came to my child's health

07/15/2025

Words can not describe how amazing his work is but its beyond amazing.

06/27/2025

Dr. McDonnell was very professional and caring. I really liked the way he explained his findings to me.

05/29/2025

Profesional , paciente y sobre todo muy amable

05/27/2025

Very knowledgeable and kind

05/01/2025

He called me on a Sunday which is just truly amazing!

04/22/2025

I wish that I had met him earlier.

03/31/2025

Courteous, personable and approachable. WAs clear with his explanations and thorough with the exam of my vision.

03/20/2025

Great care

03/13/2025

Spoke good to me by explaining everything to me about the Surgery about my Granddaughter

03/11/2025

It was good to feel like I was in the right hands with Dr McDonnell and his assistants, especially Laura.

02/03/2025

He is just truly an awesome doctor! He is whar every doctor should be.

01/23/2025

I would recommend this practitioner to anyone.

01/22/2025

very positive experience

01/20/2025

Dr mcdonnell hes been with my daughter since she was born. He is caring and ge makes jokes and hes very throough. Hes kind

01/08/2025

Excellent as usual

12/19/2024

I like the service

12/10/2024

I am now 4 days post op and the surgery was successful. My eyes are feeling better every day so far. Dr. McDonnell is a very caring and humble man. He thanked me for letting him take care of me!!! I love that man!!!!!

11/25/2024

Thank you, Dr. McDonnell.

11/19/2024

This provider 40 minutes from my house, but I would choose to return her for the great care that was given. Thank you all so much

11/06/2024

The Best. He need to teach other doctors

10/16/2024

I was/am very very impressed and I am trusting them with my eyesight!'

10/09/2024

Continue the good work!
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Publications

  • Kaempferol Protects Against Retinal Photoreceptor Degeneration in a Mouse Model of Light-Induced Retinal Injury. Noguchi, J. L.; Seu, M. Y.; Qiao, J. B.; Tan, I. R.; Swaminathan, S. R.; McDonnell, J. F.; Tan, Z.; Bu, P.; Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Protection of Retinal Function by Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors Following Retinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury. Gange, W. S.; Qiao, J. B.; Park, P. J.; McDonnell, J. F.; Tan, Z.; Perlman, J. I.; Bu, P.; Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
  • Effects of corrective strabismus surgery on social anxiety and self-consciousness in adults. Estes, K. J.; Parrish, R. K.; Sinacore, J.; Mumby, P. B.; McDonnell, J. F.; Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Protection of retinal function by sulforaphane following retinal ischemic injury. Ambrecht, L. A.; Perlman, J. I.; McDonnell, J. F.; Zhai, Y.; Qiao, L.; Bu, P.; Experimental eye research
  • Amniotic band syndrome with significant orofacial clefts and disruptions and distortions of craniofacial structures. Muraskas, J. K.; McDonnell, J. F.; Chudik, R. J.; Salyer, K. E.; Glynn, L.; Journal of pediatric surgery
  • Pediatric Horner's syndrome due to a cervical thymic rest. McDonnell, J. F.; Ramonas, K.; Park, A. H.; Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus
  • Ocular complications of thermal injury: a 3-year retrospective. Bouchard, C. S.; Morno, K.; Perkins, J.; McDonnell, J. F.; Dicken, R.; The Journal of trauma
  • Spontaneous dural cavernous sinus fistula in a child. Skolnick, K. A.; McDonnell, J. F.; Journal of AAPOS : the official publication of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Bilateral peripheral ulcerative keratitis associated with pyoderma gangrenosum. Bouchard, C. S.; Meyer, M. A.; McDonnell, J. F.; Cornea