Christopher Girkin, MD, MSPH is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the UC San Diego Shiley Eye Institute and Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology. He has an active medical and surgical practice specializing in glaucoma and complex cataracts.

Dr. Girkin is returning to Shiley Eye Institute, where he completed his glaucoma fellowship in 1999. His training also includes a medical degree from the University of Arkansas, residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and a fellowship at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University in neuro-ophthalmology.

Before rejoining the Shiley Eye Institute, Dr. Girkin was at UAB, where he served as chair of the department from 2012-2022. While chair, UAB become ranked in the top five of the National Institutes of Health research funding. He also founded the Glaucoma Service and fellowship program at UAB.

Dr. Girkin’s research focuses on the mechanisms underlying individual variation in susceptibility to the development of glaucomatous optic neuropathy, along with the development of biomarkers and health services programs to improve patient outcomes. He authored or coauthored over 280 peer-reviewed articles as well as delivered over 300 lectures to practitioners and researchers throughout the world.

In recognition of his contributions to the field, Dr. Girkin has received numerous awards, including the Visionary Award from the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, Distinguished Alumni Award from the UAB Department of Ophthalmology, and he was inducted into the Glaucoma Research Society.