Dr. Natalie Afshari

Natalie A. Afshari, MD, FACS, is a Professor of Ophthalmology and Chief of the Division of Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Shiley Eye Institute, UC San Diego. She holds the Stuart I. Brown M.D. Chair in Ophthalmology and serves as Vice Chair of Ophthalmology. Board certified in ophthalmology with a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery, Dr. Afshari is an accomplished clinician, surgeon, and research scientist.

Her clinical practice specializes in advanced corneal and refractive procedures, including cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, endothelial keratoplasty, and laser refractive surgery such as LASIK and PRK. She has particular expertise in treating Fuchs dystrophy, keratoconus, and other complex corneal conditions. Dr. Afshari is recognized by peers in "The Best Doctors in America" and has received awards including the Top Ten Women in Medicine Award and the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Secretariat Award.

Dr. Afshari is actively involved in research, with NIH-funded studies on Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, and she contributes to medical literature as co-editor of the textbook "Principles and Practice of Cornea." She also volunteers her surgical skills internationally, providing care in underserved regions of West Africa, Central America, and Mexico.