Dr. Omar Shakir's CV

EDUCATION AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Doctor of Medicine (MD) with Distinction

Albany Medical College (Albany, NY) | 2012 Leadership in Medicine Program

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Clarkson University (Albany, NY) | 2009

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science, Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology

Union College (Schenectady, NY) | 2008

POSTGRADUATE TRAINING

Fellowship, Vitreous & Retina Surgery

Yale University (New Haven, CT) | 2018

Residency, Ophthalmology

University of Florida (Jacksonville, FL) | 2016 Chief Resident (2015–2016)

Internship, Internal Medicine

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD) | 2013

MEDICAL LICENSURE & CERTIFICATIONS

Board Certified, American Board of Ophthalmology (2018) State Licenses: NY, CT, FL (Active & in Good Standing) DEA & Controlled Substance Licenses (Exp. 2028)

IATA Certification (Biologics/Lab Handling) | GCP Certified (Clinical Trials)

BOARD & ADVISORY POSITIONS

Chair, Medical Advisory Board – Vital Neuro (2024–Present). Strategic Advisory Board member – iOR Partners, Optos Inc. (2024-Present).

Steering Committee – Bausch + Lomb Envy IOL (2025).

LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

FOUNDER & MEDICAL DIRECTOR

Coastal Eye Surgery Center | Greenwich, CT | 2021–Present

• Pioneered a first-of-its-kind, in-office surgical center exclusively for advanced retina and cataract procedures, performing 700+ cases annually.
• Spearheaded the adoption of cutting-edge technologies, including 3D visualization systems and intraoperative OCT, establishing the center as a national model for office-based ophthalmic surgery featured in Modern Retina and Ophthalmology Times.
• Developed proprietary surgical protocols for topical anesthesia vitrectomy, resulting in zero systemic complications across

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

SightSERA (Shakir Eye Research Accelerator) | Greenwich, CT | 2022–Present

• Executed 15+ Phase II-IV clinical trials for novel therapies (e.g., EYP-1901 for wet AMD, BI 1584862 for geographic atrophy), enrolling patients and contributing to FDA approvals
• Forged strategic partnerships with industry leaders (Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, Zeiss)
• Implemented AI-driven diagnostic tools (e.g., LumineticsCore™ for DME screening), improving trial recruitment efficiency and publishing results

CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR

Yale University School of Medicine | New Haven, CT | 2018–Present

• Mentored Yale's first biomedical innovation course (MENG404), guiding graduates students to develop patent-pending ophthalmic devices
• Trained vitreoretinal fellows and residents
• Published peer-reviewed studies with trainees on intraoperative OCT optimization, cited in AAO Preferred Practice Patterns.

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Conveyra | Remote | 2024–Present

• Intelligent healthcare data platform which mines patient charts for eligibility in clinical trials. Uses artificial intelligence to enhance speed and efficiency of screening subjects. Assisted in a medical advisory role and presented Coastal Eye as a pivotal trial site

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Retina Alliance GPO | Remote | 2024–Present

• Architected a physician-led purchasing network of 80+ retina specialists, negotiating millions in annual savings on biologics and devices

STRATEGIC ADVISORY ROLES

Bausch + Lomb, Carl Zeiss Meditec, Alcon | 2021–Present

• Guided R&D for next-gen IOLs and vitrectomy systems, including the Envy™ IOL (launched 2025)
• Led global surgeon training programs for Zeiss's ARTEVO 850

PRESENTATIONS AND KEYNOTE ROLES

"Revolutionizing Preoperative Care with Neuroresponsive Audio" – ARVO 2025. Debate Panel: "Office Vitrectomy Feasibility" – Vit-Buckle Society 2025.

"My First 500 Office-Based Retina Cases" – American Retina Forum 2024.

AWARDS & HONORS

Top Doctor: Castle Connolly, NY Magazine, Connecticut Magazine (2020–2025). Chief Resident, University of Florida (2016).

Robert D. Reinecke Prize (Ophthalmology Research, Albany Med, 2012).

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Academy of Ophthalmology (Fellow). American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery American Society of Retina Specialists.

American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons Vit-Buckle Society.

HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES

Yale New Haven Hospital (CT) | Greenwich Hospital (CT) | Stamford Hospital (CT).

PUBLICATIONS

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

1. Shakir OR, Almeida DRP, Mei CK, Aaberg TM Jr. Office-based surgery: Our first 700 cases. Retina Times. 2024;42:34-37.
2. Lu AJ, Shakir OR, et al. Panretinal photocoagulation along the long ciliary nerve in diabetic retinopathy. Ophthalmol Retina. 2019;3(12):1105-1107. doi:10.1016/j.oret.2019.07.002.
3. Sambhav K, Shakir OR, Chalam KV. Bilateral isolated concurrent superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus. Int Med Case Rep J. 2015;8:181-183.
4. Grover S, Sambhav K, Shakir OR, et al. Decrease in choroidal thickness in retinitis pigmentosa out of proportion to retinal thickness by swept-source OCT. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015;56:3805.
5. Shakir OR, Swan RT, Strogatz DS, Simon JW. Horizontal strabismus surgery in children and adults. Acta Ophthalmol. 2011;89(7):e599-e600.

INDUSTRY & TRADE PUBLICATIONS

1. Shakir O, Donnenfled E. Cataract and Refractive Surgery: Trends, Challenges, and Innovations. Ophthalmology Times. October 2025.
2. Shakir O. Interoperative OCT: It's the Real Deal. ZEISS Medical Technology. April 2025.
3. Shakir O. Optimization of IOL selection and techniques enhances cataract surgery outcomes. Ophthalmol Times. February 2025.
4. Shakir O. Looking at the latest innovations in lens extraction. Eyes On Eyecare. February 2025.
5. Shakir O. Office vitrectomy: A full-scale replacement for the ASC and hospital. Modern Retina. July 2024.

INVITED COMMENTARIES & LETTERS

1. Shakir O. In response to "The biggest medical discovery of our lifetimes." Huffington Post. November 11, 2013.
2. Shakir OR, et al. PFO after vitreoretinal surgery. AAO EyeNet. February 2018:66.

CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS & PRESENTATIONS

1. Shakir OR, et al. The effect of epiretinal membrane on drusen volumes as quantified by SD-OCT. ARVO. 2018.
2. Shakir OR, et al. A comparison of NSAIDs in cystoid macular edema: A retrospective analysis. ARVO. 2017.
3. Shakir OR, et al. Comparison of corneal topography by Orbscan II and CASIA SS-OCT. ARVO. 2017.

RESEARCH STUDIES AND CLINICAL TRIALS

ATACAMA (2026)

Phase 3 Study of Intravitreal OLN324 in Adults With Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) (OLN324-CP-02) (ATACAMA)

Sponsor: Ollin Biosciences

Role: Principal Investigator

SAHARA (2026)

Phase 3 Study of Intravitreal OLN324 in Adults With Neovascular (Wet) Age-related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) (OLN324-CP-05) (SAHARA)

Sponsor: Ollin Biosciences

Role: Principal Investigator

TORRENTES (2026)

A Clinical Trial of EYE201/MK-8748 in People With Macular Degeneration (MK-8748-003) (TORRONTES)

Sponsor: EyeBiotech

Role: Principal Investigator

Phase 3 Study to Assess Efficacy, Safety & Tolerability of OCU410 For Geographic Atrophy Secondary to Dry AMD (2026)

Sponsor: Ocugen

Role: Principal Investigator

CAPRI (2026)

A Phase 3, Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Double-Masked, Parallel-Group Study of EYP-1901, a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI), Compared to Aflibercept (2 mg) in Participants With Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Sponsor: Eyepoint Pharmaceuticals

Role: Principal Investigator

XR46785 (2026)

A phase II, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled multicenter study to assess the efficacy and safety of RO7965032 in patients with Geographic Atrophy secondary to age-related macular degeneration

Sponsor: Genentech-Roche

Role: Principal Investigator

HELIOS-3 (2026)

A Phase 3, Multicenter, Double-Masked, Randomized, 3-Arm Parallel Group Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal OTXTKI (Axitinib Implant) in Participants With Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Sponsor: Ocular Therapeutix

Role: Principal Investigator

NOVA-1 (2025)

A Phase 1/2 Two-Stage Dose Escalation and Randomized Parallel Group Study to Evaluate the Safety, Preliminary Treatment Effects, and Durability of AR-14034 Sustained Release Implant Compared to Intravitreal Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment in Participants with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (NOVA-1). Study Number: RTE888-E001

Sponsor: Alcon

Role: Principal Investigator

RHINE (2025)

A Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Masked, Controlled Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of the Bimatoprost Implant System (78 mcg) used in combination with the SpyGlass IOL Compared to Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution, USP, 0.5%. Protocol Number: SGP-006

Sponsor: Spyglass Pharmaceuticals

Role: Principal Investigator

JADE Trial (2025)

Phase II, randomized study testing BI 1584862 in geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration.

Sponsor: Boehringer Ingelheim

Role: Principal Investigator

LUGANO Trial (2025)

Phase III, a double-masked study evaluating EYP-1901 (sustained-release anti-VEGF) for wet AMD. Primary endpoint: visual acuity at Week 56.

Sponsor: EyePoint Pharmaceuticals

Role: Principal Investigator

PRO-CLN-008 (2024)

Prospective multicenter trial validating LumineticsCore™ AI for diabetic macular edema (DME) screening.

Sponsor: Digital Diagnostics

Role: Principal Investigator

enVista Envy™ RWE Study (2025)

Phase IV real-world evidence study of enVista Envy™ and Envy™ toric IOLs.

Sponsor: Bausch + Lomb | Role: Lead Surgical Investigator

BL-SU01-ASRWE-4401 (2024)

Post-marketing study evaluating enVista® Aspire IOLs in cataract patients. |Sponsor: Bausch + Lomb | Role: Surgical PI

PMCS-010 (2024)

Outcomes study comparing RxSight Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) vs. LAL+ in bilateral cataract surgery.

Sponsor: RxSight | Role: Lead Surgeon

IRX-101 Study (2024)

Phase II trial assessing topical IRX-101 for reducing post-intravitreal injection pain.

Sponsor: Irenix Medical

Role: Principal Investigator

COMPLETED/PUBLISHED TRIALS

Aflibercept 8 mg for nAMD (2021)

Phase III trial comparing high-dose aflibercept to standard 2 mg dose (sub-investigator role).

Sponsor: Regeneron | Published in JAMA Ophthalmol (2023)

First-In-Human Neuroresponsive Audio Trial (2024)

Investigated EEG-guided audio for pre-op anxiety in ophthalmic surgery.

Sponsor: Vital Neuro | Presented at ARVO 2025

Topical Anesthesia for Vitrectomy (2022-2023)

Prospective studies on pain control during office-based vitrectomy (2 published papers).

Sponsor: Investigator-initiated | Retina Times 2024

INDUSTRY-SPONSORED SURGICAL STUDIES

ARTEVO 800 Surgical Outcomes (2023)

Real-world evaluation of Zeiss' 3D visualization system for retinal surgery.

Sponsor: Carl Zeiss Meditec | White Paper (2024)

MIGS Device Registry (2022-2024)

Longitudinal outcomes of minimally invasive glaucoma devices in combo with cataract surgery.

Sponsor: Alcon | Ophthalmol Ther (2025)

INVESTIGATOR-INITIATED RESEARCH

Subconjunctival Anesthesia for Vitrectomy (2023)

Demonstrated safety of needle-free anesthesia in 200+ cases. Presented: Hawaiian Eye 2025

Drusen Volume Changes Post-ER Peeling (2018)

SD-OCT analysis of AMD patients (Yale collaboration).

Published: ARVO 2018 Abstract