
Overview
I am an ophthalmologist specializing in both pediatric and neuro-ophthalmology. My expertise is in the diagnosis and treatment of various types of neurological conditions affecting the eyes of both adults and children. My clinical interests include pediatric and adult nystagmus, strabismus, brain tumors, autoimmune demyelinating diseases, spina bifida, craniosynostoses, hydrocephalus, neonatal hypoxic ischemic injury, spina bifida, cortical visual impairment, papilledema, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) and all optic neuropathies. The large majority of my patients are children with/or at risk for neurologic disease or adults with developmental delay. My clinic visits often include ancillary testing such as visual fields and optical coherence tomography, which help me assess if there is a risk for vision loss. I like to try to avoid invasive testing and procedures or testing that requires anesthesia or sedation when possible. In my pediatric clinic, I like to collect and use old fashioned mechanical toys to test eye movements, which younger children usually enjoy. I will often have small prizes for younger (and older) children at the end of the visit.
Dr. El-Dairi is highly rated in 12 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Papilledema, Increased Intracranial Pressure, Optic Nerve Atrophy, Strabismus, and Trabeculectomy.
Dr. El-Dairi is board certified in American Board Of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology. She is actively involved in clinical research, co-authoring 84 peer reviewed articles. Dr. El-Dairi is currently accepting new patients.
Specialties
Licenses
Board Certifications
Fellowships
Hospital Affiliations
Languages Spoken
Gender
Insurance
Accepted insurance can change. Please verify directly with the provider.
Accepted insurance plans:
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- PPO
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- OTHER COMMERCIAL
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- PPO
- HMO
- INDEMNITY
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- POS
- PPO
- OTHER MEDICAID
- STATE MEDICAID
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- EPO
- HMO
- POS
- PPO
- EPO
- HMO
- INSURANCE PLAN
- MANAGED MEDICAID PLAN
- MEDICARE MAPD
- MEDICARE PDP
- MEDICARE SNP
- MEDICARE-MEDICAID PLAN
- OTHER MEDICARE
- OTHER MEDICARE PART D
Locations
2351 Erwin Rd, Durham, NC 27705
Additional Areas of Focus
Dr. El-Dairi has provided the following conditions as areas of focus. Please note that we may not have enough data to validate their experience in some of these conditions.
Clinical Research
Clinical research consists of overseeing clinical studies of patients undergoing new treatments and therapies, and publishing articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Providers who actively participate in clinical research are generally at the forefront of the fields and aware of the most up-to-date advances in treatments for their patients.
Duke Eye Center
I was born and raised right here in Durham, NC. After attending college at Duke, I ventured north to Boston, where I completed most of my medical training, and was fortunate to meet and marry the love of my life, my husband Neil (also on faculty as a cardiologist here at Duke). I returned to Durham for my Glaucoma fellowship, briefly joined the faculty “across the street” at UNC-Chapel Hill, and then returned “home” to Duke Eye Center in 1995, where I have been on the faculty ever since. Dual fellowship-trained in both Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus as well as in Glaucoma, I have a clinical and research focus on pediatric glaucoma and cataracts, as well as retinopathy of prematurity, but enjoy providing care for myriad pediatric problems of the eyes, including treatment of “grown children” with ocular alignment issues. My modus operandi is very simple – I simply try hard to treat each and every patient the way I would like someone to treat me. It works every time, and I am privileged to be a clinician and educator at Duke Eye Center and in Duke University Health System. Dr. Freedman is highly rated in 23 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Retinopathy of Prematurity, Strabismus, Brown Syndrome, Trabeculectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Freedman is board certified in American Board Of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology. Dr. Freedman is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Eye Center
I’m a retina specialist who takes care of patients who have problems with the back of the eye. When a patient comes to see me, I like getting to know them and their history, so that I can tailor their treatment. My patients come from a variety of different backgrounds, so I find that I often learn as much from them as they do from me. Everybody has a different story and I very much like to learn about the patients to whom I provide care. Duke is a great place at which to work and from which to seek treatment because it’s a very collaborative institution. Everyone works together to do what’s best for the patient. Outside of work, I like to spend as much time as possible with my family. I also enjoy cooking, playing sports and watching sports. Dr. Jaffe is highly rated in 22 conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD), Late-Onset Retinal Degeneration, Geographic Atrophy, Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Jaffe is board certified in American Board Of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology. Dr. Jaffe is currently accepting new patients.
Duke Eye Center
Vision is so intricately related to one's quality of life. Many patients who come to the Duke Eye Center are concerned that they could be going blind, but they rarely ask that question directly. It is important that my patients clearly understand their eye disease process, the risks, benefits and all treatment options so that we can make joint decisions. I try to reassure, when possible, and share the positives, such as 'their eye condition may only affect one eye' or that 'it is possible to improve their vision or prevent further visual loss'. We also discuss how other health problems or lifestyle decisions can affect their visual health. When someone has a vision threatening condition, it is my goal to ensure that they know that, as their physician, I will advise them and guide them through their treatment and the often complicated medical system. I enjoy what I do every day as part of the Duke Health family!. Dr. Fekrat is highly rated in 16 conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Retinal Vein Occlusion, Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis, Endophthalmitis, Vitrectomy, and Cataract Removal. Dr. Fekrat is board certified in American Board Of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology. Dr. Fekrat is currently accepting new patients.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi
How do I make an appointment with Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi?
You can book an appointment with Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi by calling their office at 919-681-3937. MediFind provides direct contact information so you can schedule visits, second opinions, or consultations without navigating third-party calendars.
Is Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi a top-rated expert for Papilledema?
MediFind is an objective health platform that identifies experts based on real-world data. Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi is classified as an Elite expert for Papilledema, meaning they are among the top experts in the country for this condition. This ranking is based on their volume of patients, published research, and peer connections.
What conditions does Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi specialize in?
While Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi is a Ophthalmology, they have specific expertise in Papilledema, Increased Intracranial Pressure, and Optic Nerve Atrophy. MediFind analyzes a doctor's articles and referral patterns to identify their specific areas of focus within Ophthalmology.
Does Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi participate in research or clinical trials?
Yes. Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi has published 84 articles and abstracts on conditions like Papilledema. You can view a list of Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi's latest peer-reviewed publications and clinical trial participation on their profile to see if they are active in new treatments.
Does Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi accept my insurance?
Dr. Mays A. El-Dairi accepts most major insurance plans, including Aetna and Ambetter. We recommend calling the office directly at 919-681-3937 to verify that your specific plan is currently accepted before your visit.
Areas of Expertise
MediFind evaluates expertise by pulling from factors such as number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials, speaking at industry conferences, prescribing and referral patterns, and strength of connections with other experts in their field.
Learn more about MediFind’s expert tiers
- Elite
- PapilledemaDr. El-Dairi isElite. Learn about Papilledema.
- Distinguished
- Brown SyndromeDr. El-Dairi isDistinguished. Learn about Brown Syndrome.
- Increased Intracranial PressureDr. El-Dairi isDistinguished. Learn about Increased Intracranial Pressure.
- Optic Nerve AtrophyDr. El-Dairi isDistinguished. Learn about Optic Nerve Atrophy.
- StrabismusDr. El-Dairi isDistinguished. Learn about Strabismus.
- Advanced
- GlaucomaDr. El-Dairi isAdvanced. Learn about Glaucoma.
- NeuroretinitisDr. El-Dairi isAdvanced. Learn about Neuroretinitis.
- Ocular Hypertension (OHT)Dr. El-Dairi isAdvanced. Learn about Ocular Hypertension (OHT).
- Optic Atrophy Type 1Dr. El-Dairi isAdvanced. Learn about Optic Atrophy Type 1.
- Optic NeuritisDr. El-Dairi isAdvanced. Learn about Optic Neuritis.
- Tolosa Hunt SyndromeDr. El-Dairi isAdvanced. Learn about Tolosa Hunt Syndrome.
- X-Linked Infantile NystagmusDr. El-Dairi isAdvanced. Learn about X-Linked Infantile Nystagmus.
- Experienced
- Achalasia Microcephaly SyndromeDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Achalasia Microcephaly Syndrome.
- Adult-Onset Vitelliform Macular Dystrophy (AVMD)
- Baller-Gerold SyndromeDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Baller-Gerold Syndrome.
- EsotropiaDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Esotropia.
- Familial Exudative VitreoretinopathyDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Familial Exudative Vitreoretinopathy.
- High Blood Pressure in InfantsDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about High Blood Pressure in Infants.
- HypertensionDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Hypertension.
- HypotoniaDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Hypotonia.
- MicrocephalyDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Microcephaly.
- Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease
- NeurofibromatosisDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Neurofibromatosis.
- Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)Dr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1).
- Oculomotor Apraxia Cogan TypeDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Oculomotor Apraxia Cogan Type.
- Optic GliomaDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Optic Glioma.
- Pigment-Dispersion SyndromeDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Pigment-Dispersion Syndrome.
- Premature InfantDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Premature Infant.
- Rathke Cleft CystDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Rathke Cleft Cyst.
- Retinopathy of PrematurityDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Retinopathy of Prematurity.
- Retinopathy Pigmentary Mental RetardationDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Retinopathy Pigmentary Mental Retardation.
- Temporal ArteritisDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Temporal Arteritis.
- TrabeculectomyDr. El-Dairi isExperienced. Learn about Trabeculectomy.


