Natalie A. Afshari, MD, FACS

Natalie Afshari, MD, FACS, is Professor of Ophthalmology, Vice Chair of Ophthalmology, and Chief of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the University of California San Diego’s Shiley Eye Institute. She holds the Stuart I. Brown, MD Chair in Ophthalmology in Memory of Donald P. Shiley and is an accomplished clinician, surgeon, and research scientist. She also serves as President of the Collaborative Community on Ophthalmic Innovation (CCOI). She received her medical degree from Stanford University and completed her residency and fellowship training at Harvard University. Prior to her current appointment, she was Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Centers of Excellence at the Duke University Eye Center.

Dr. Afshari’s achievements in cornea and refractive surgery and patient care have been recognized by her peers in several “best doctors” lists, including “The Best Doctors in America.” She is also the recipient of the inaugural Top Ten Women in Medicine Award from Triangle News. Her honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award and Secretariat Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Gold Fellow status from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), and the American Medical Women’s Association’s Woman in Science Award. She has also received the Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) Award and the Heed Foundation Ophthalmic Award. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sought Dr. Afshari’s expertise on matters concerning the safety and efficacy of ophthalmologic treatments. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has supported her research on Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, an inherited disorder that can cause corneal swelling, vision loss, and the need for corneal transplantation.

In her clinical practice, Dr. Afshari specializes in cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, endothelial keratoplasty, including DMEK and DSAEK, corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus, and laser refractive surgery, including LASIK and PRK. She is recognized for her expertise in complex cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, and refractive surgery and has successfully treated numerous challenging cases referred by leading surgeons. She has also held national leadership positions in cataract and refractive surgery, including serving as the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s representative on the Council of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She also serves as Chair of the ASCRS U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Committee.

Her research program investigates cataract prevention, dry eye disease, the genetics of corneal diseases, and stem cell approaches to corneal regeneration. Her work bridges laboratory investigation and clinical innovation, with the goal of developing new approaches to preserving and restoring vision. Additionally, Dr. Afshari performs sight-restoring procedures using keratoprostheses, or artificial corneas, for selected patients with severe corneal disease.

In addition to her clinical and research accomplishments, Dr. Afshari has published extensively in medical journals and textbooks. She is the co-editor of the two-volume, 1,100-page textbook Principles and Practice of Cornea. She has also served as an editor and editorial board member for several leading ophthalmology journals, including the American Journal of Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Survey of Ophthalmology, and Current Opinion in Ophthalmology.

Dr. Afshari’s dedication to research and clinical care also inspires her teaching. For her commitment to teaching and training ophthalmologists, she has received the Teacher of the Year award at Duke University Eye Center and Shiley Eye Institute. She has been invited to lecture nationally and internationally and has served on ARVO’s program and awards committees and in leadership roles within national ophthalmic organizations.

Beyond her academic and clinical work, Dr. Afshari has donated her time and surgical expertise as an international volunteer. She has traveled to West Africa, Central America, and Mexico to provide care to patients who might otherwise go untreated.

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