Christopher A. Girkin, MD, MSPH

Christopher A. Girkin, MD, MSPH, Professor of Ophthalmology and Viterbi Family Chair of Optic Nerve Biology, has been selected as the Interim Chair of the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology and Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego effective June 1, 2026. He will serve in this role until a permanent chair is recruited in the coming months.

Christopher Girkin, MD, MSPH, is a board-certified ophthalmologist with an active medical and surgical practice specializing in glaucoma and complex cataracts.

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 has authored or coauthored over 280 peer-reviewed articles and has 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Ophthalmology, and he was inducted into the Glaucoma Research Society. He has held numerous national leadership roles, most recently serving as President of the American Glaucoma Society.

Dr. Girkin completed his glaucoma fellowship at the Shiley Eye Institute as well as a fellowship in neuro-ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University. He completed residency training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and earned his medical degree from the University of Arkansas.

‍

‍