For patients experiencing vision loss due to cornea damage, a corneal transplant is a life-changing procedure. It can restore vision, reduce pain, and improve the appearance of the eye.
The ability to have such a profound impact on patients was compelling for Ardalan Sharifi, MD, UTMB’s newest Cornea and Refractive Surgery specialist in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.
“It's a unique subspecialty within Ophthalmology, and I can confidently say most of our surgeries are geared toward improving the vision rather than stabilizing a disease,” he says.
Having completed medical school and his ophthalmology residency at UTMB, Dr. Sharifi went on to Johns Hopkins University for his Cornea and Refractive Surgery fellowship. He returned to UTMB as faculty last fall, and as one of a small number of cornea specialists on the team, he is excited to help grow these services at UTMB.
During his fellowship at Johns Hopkins, he was trained on the most advanced technique for corneal transplant, called the DMEK (Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty) – a new procedure not previously performed at UTMB.
The DMEK involves replacing a single layer of cells, whereas the more widely known DSEK (Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty) method for corneal transplant, affects a slightly thicker layer including some stromal tissue.
“Patients have a faster recovery and better visual outcomes. On average, patients are able to achieve 20/20,” Dr. Sharifi says. DMEK patients also tend to have a lower long-term risk of graft rejection.
He says the procedure is well-suited for patients who have Fuchs dystrophy, a genetic condition that causes the cornea to thicken and swell, if they do not have an ocular comorbidities or any prior glaucoma surgeries. Because the patient is required to lay flat on their back for a few days after surgery, those who have trouble laying on their back for long periods would not be candidates.
Since arriving at UTMB, Dr. Sharifi has been charged with setting up the DMEK program within Ophthalmology. He started the program with patients in Galveston, with plans to expand to League City.
In addition, Dr. Sharifi performs cataract surgeries, as well as LASIK, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), and ICL (implantable Collamer lens) – laser eye surgeries that are effective in correcting patients’ eyesight. He looks forward to increasing UTMB’s business for these procedures as well.
“I'm trying to bring back some of what I learned from Hopkins – and then really grow the department as far as the not only the volume, but also the type of surgeries and services that we provide,” he says.
Recalling his training experience at UTMB, Dr. Sharifi was excited to return as faculty, due in part to the interdisciplinary relationships that ultimately yield better patient care. For complex cases, this may mean working with colleagues in areas such as Infectious Disease and Burn Surgery, including cases at Shriners Hospital for Children.
Dr. Sharifi is also excited for the teaching opportunities that an academic setting offers. At Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Institute, he earned Fellow of the Year recognition for resident education, the first time for a cornea fellow to win the award.
By supporting medical students at UTMB and helping increase match rates within Ophthalmology, he strives to not only grow clinical services in the immediate future, but also make a long-term impact on the field. | Ardalan Sharifi, MD, sees patients at the UTMB Eye Center locations in Galveston and League City Town Center. Learn more about Ophthalmology and Visual Services at UTMB Health. |