David J. Palmer, MD

David J. Palmer, MD

4.9 
2766 ratings  Read Reviews
Northwestern Medicine logoNorthwestern Medical Group

Primary Specialty

Ophthalmology

Secondary Specialty

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Practice Focus Areas

This medical professional has a particular interest or expertise in:

Reasons to Schedule a Visit

This medical professional may be a good choice for you if you are looking for care for any of the following:

  • Amblyopia
  • Choroidal nevus
  • Cloudy cornea
  • Corneal scar
  • Diabetic eye exam
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Epiretinal membrane
  • General eye exam
  • Glaucoma
  • Keratitis
  • Lattice degeneration
  • Light sensitivity
  • Macular degeneration
  • Migraines
  • Ocular rosacea
  • Posterior vitreous detachment
  • Retinal hemorrhage
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Twitching eyelid

Education

Medical Education:
MD, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine - 1980
Internship:
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center - 1981
Residency:
University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago - 1984
Fellowships:
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School - 1985

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Ophthalmology - Ophthalmology (Certified)

Faculty Profile

Clinical Associate Professor, Feinberg School of Medicine

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Practice Groups and Affiliations

Medical Group:
Northwestern Medical Group
Alignment Category:
Northwestern Medicine Physician Network
On Medical Staff At:
Catherine Gratz Griffin Lake Forest Hospital
Grayslake Ambulatory Surgery Center
Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Ratings and Reviews

At Northwestern Medicine, our patient’s feedback is important to us. While different care providers have their own unique strengths, we strive to be as transparent as possible with our quality of care.

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Overall Rating

4.9
4.9 

2766 Ratings

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Reviews from Patients

100 Most Recent Reviews

Reviews from Patients

Sort By Newest
100 Most Recent Reviews

February 27, 2026

5.0

Excellent physician.

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February 27, 2026

5.0

Professional

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February 26, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer was concerned about my health, and as soon as he realized the problem wasn't in my eyes, he immediately contacted my primary care physician and they sent me to the emergency room to receive the care I needed.

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February 26, 2026

5.0

Same as above, thorough examination.

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February 23, 2026

5.0

Very competent and personable

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February 19, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer has served my family for many years.

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February 16, 2026

5.0

He's a very good specialist

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February 16, 2026

5.0

Excellent service, caring and good listening skills.

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February 15, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer

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February 13, 2026

5.0

Dr Palmer seemed very thorough and knowledgeable.

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February 11, 2026

5.0

He explained his findings.Caring and polite.

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February 11, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer thoroughly explains test results, describes the patient's current status/progress and reviews the treatment plan with the patient during each visit.

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February 09, 2026

5.0

He did a thorough exams. His assistant was even better, very attentive.

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February 06, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer is dedicated/committed to providing the best medical eye services to his patients. Providing medical eye care to Dr. Palmer is not just something that he has been trained to do but I believe he feels that he has been called by God to do. Dr. Palmer is personally committed to his Practice.

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February 06, 2026

5.0

Very careful and asks great questions.

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February 04, 2026

5.0

Friendly Expert Helpful

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February 04, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer was patient and took time to listen to me. He also conducted various tests on my eyes to make sure that the issue that took me to urgent care was no longer there. He provided guidance for following up with my optometrist, and recommended some eye drops that could help. He did not rush, and I felt that all my concerns were listened to and answered.

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February 04, 2026

5.0

Great physician

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February 02, 2026

5.0

His credentials are impeccable

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January 30, 2026

5.0

Competent

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January 29, 2026

5.0

Listens carefully. Explains in plain English.

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January 29, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer listened to me and communicated clearly. I felt well cared for.

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January 29, 2026

5.0

He is an excellent physician. Explains everything and includes me in conversations

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January 27, 2026

5.0

Dr Palmer is very knowledgeable and professional. He has treated my husband for over 35 years. Because of his attention and concern for my husband's eyes, my husband will not lose his vision, as it is hereditary in his family.

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January 27, 2026

5.0

comparative experience.

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January 27, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer takes time and is really concerned about my diagnosis. He inquires about my condition and extensively exams my worries.

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January 26, 2026

5.0

No complaints

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January 26, 2026

5.0

I trust his skills and knowledge to treat my medical condition.

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January 26, 2026

5.0

Very kind

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January 25, 2026

5.0

Great doctor. Very efficient

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January 19, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer is professional, courteous, and highly knowledgeable.

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January 12, 2026

5.0

Takes time and explains exams.

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January 09, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer has been my doctor for many years and has always given me caring and professional care,

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January 09, 2026

5.0

He collaborated with me about my care in a positive manner.

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January 09, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer's medical expertise, his concern for me as a new patient and his clear & reassuring communication about the condition of my eyes impressed me. I am fortunate to be in his care for my visual health.

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January 07, 2026

5.0

Dr. Palmer is personable and thorough.

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January 07, 2026

5.0

I have been on his care for many years. He's a very good doctor.

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January 05, 2026

5.0

He is terrific and very professional.

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January 05, 2026

5.0

Great

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January 02, 2026

5.0

He is just the best. Top notch in every way. Very conversational and is great about answering any and all questions.

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January 01, 2026

5.0

Very thorough and easy to understand.

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January 01, 2026

5.0

Excellent care

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December 27, 2025

5.0

Nice doctor

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December 22, 2025

5.0

Knowledgeable, professional, friendly, concerned. Listens to patients & explains things very well

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December 22, 2025

5.0

professional very knowledgeable

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December 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Palmer is an excellent doctor. He is very patient and knowledgeable. He has always made our family feel like our medical care is a priority to him and his staff.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

Dr. Palmer was wonderful! Very personable and knowledgeable- he really knows his stuff. He really took his time with me and looked over all test results with me. I'm so grateful to have him now as my ophthalmologist. I only wish I found him sooner.

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December 18, 2025

5.0

Easy to talk to and very patient

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December 17, 2025

5.0

Very good Doctor

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December 17, 2025

5.0

He is very patient and personable!

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December 12, 2025

5.0

Personal and professional

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December 12, 2025

5.0

Took his time and explained what was going on

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December 12, 2025

5.0

Best place for treatment!

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December 12, 2025

5.0

Outstanding compassionate physician

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December 12, 2025

5.0

Because he is real good at what he does

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December 11, 2025

5.0

He really knows his expertise

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December 10, 2025

5.0

very thorough

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December 09, 2025

5.0

Extremely knowledgeable, professional and personable. Listens and takes time to explain things in a way that is easy to understand.

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December 08, 2025

5.0

He explained everything and gave the best advice and other options.

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December 07, 2025

5.0

Good service

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December 06, 2025

5.0

The best care.

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December 05, 2025

5.0

Trust

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December 04, 2025

5.0

Caring and knowledgeable

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December 03, 2025

5.0

As always, Dr Palmer explained everything concisely and his recommendations were easy to follow.

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December 03, 2025

5.0

Excellent doctor.

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December 01, 2025

5.0

He is incredibly talented.

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November 26, 2025

5.0

experience and expertise as well as his bedside manner

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November 24, 2025

5.0

Dr Palmer inspires trust and confidence.

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November 22, 2025

5.0

Friendly and professional. Listens and explains well

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November 19, 2025

5.0

Very diligent

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November 19, 2025

5.0

He is extremely knowledgeable in his field and put you at ease for the procedures! He explained the procedure thoroughly in terms that I could understand.

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November 13, 2025

4.0

a good commucator

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November 12, 2025

5.0

Good service

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November 08, 2025

5.0

Competence

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November 07, 2025

5.0

Great doctor

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November 07, 2025

5.0

Dr. Palmer takes the time to listen to my concerns. Have been seeing him for more than 20 years. And his assistant Jina was very helpful as well.

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November 07, 2025

5.0

Professional and friendly

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November 07, 2025

5.0

Complete faith in his treatment! Very professional!

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November 06, 2025

5.0

He's great

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November 05, 2025

5.0

Dr. Palmer is working diligently to find the optimal eye drop treatment plan to treat my glaucoma.

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November 03, 2025

5.0

He's smart and friendly. A good physician.

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November 03, 2025

5.0

Polite kind thorough

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November 01, 2025

5.0

Very peasant and professional personality.

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October 31, 2025

5.0

Dr. Palmer is a great doctor and he addressed all of my issues with my eye.

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October 30, 2025

5.0

Dr Palmer provides superb care.

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October 30, 2025

5.0

Dr.Palmer was kind & pleasant!

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October 30, 2025

5.0

He is very knowledgeable and astute in the care that he gives.

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Excellent eye Doctor!!

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October 29, 2025

5.0

Excellent physician.

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October 27, 2025

5.0

Negligible and professional

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October 27, 2025

5.0

Thorough, professional

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October 23, 2025

5.0

He is very caring and thorough

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October 20, 2025

5.0

I will recommend him to all my friends

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October 17, 2025

5.0

Very knowledgeable. Caring.

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October 17, 2025

5.0

Listens and explains

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October 17, 2025

5.0

I will recommend Dr Palmer any day to anyone of my friends who have a need for an eye doctor.

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October 15, 2025

5.0

I thought he was very thorough, answered my questions in detail where I was able to understand.

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October 13, 2025

5.0

Dr. Palmer always provides excellent care.

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October 10, 2025

5.0

Very good doctor

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October 10, 2025

5.0

Dr Palmer is both caring and competent. I am confident I receive the best care with him

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External Professional Relationships

Pharmaceutical, device, and biotechnology companies frequently collaborate with basic scientists and physicians within an academic medical center to help advance science and improve patient care. These relationships are important in achieving scientific breakthroughs and in establishing the effectiveness and safety of promising new therapies. In order to assure objectivity in clinical research and patient care, the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Feinberg), Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center, and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have adopted integrity policies that require research and clinical faculty (in full-time, part-time, and unpaid/voluntary categories) to report compensated and uncompensated external industry relationships. Patients are encouraged to discuss these disclosures with their physician as well as to inquire as to how these relationships are overseen by Feinberg. To learn more about our Disclosure and Professional Integrity Policy, and the conflict of interest policies of our joint affiliate survey partners, please go to our Office for Regulatory Affairs Policies page.

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