As a pediatric neuro-ophthalmologist, I specialize in treating conditions related to the interactions between the eyes and the brain. These complex disorders impact the ocular pathway, optic nerves, retinas and cranial nerves that come from the central nervous system.
Patients come to me after seeing their eye doctor, whether an ophthalmologist or optometrist. My expertise encompasses neurology and ophthalmology.
I believe knowledge is power. When working with patients, I want the patient (when possible),as well as their parents, grandparents, guardians or caretakers to understand the complexity of neuro-ophthalmic issues. I dedicate my time to ask and answer questions, perform a complex neuro-ophthalmology exam and conduct complex testing that I review and discuss with the child and/or family in terms of diagnosis and care management plans.
I also believe in a holistic approach to care. I assure families that we will address any and all issues in the child’s overall development and their vision, for as long as they need us.
Some of the neuro-ophthalmic conditions I treat include complex strabismus, cranial nerve palsies, craniofacial diseases, demyelinating diseases, eye movement abnormalities, intracranial tumors, nystagmus, ocular genetics/electrophysiology, optic neuropathy and optic nerve hypoplasia.
My interest in neurobiology and neuroscience began in college. When I got to medical school, I enjoyed working with my hands and loved working with kids. I see the unlimited potential and future hope in children’s eyes. A wonderful mentor guided me to the challenging but rewarding field of pediatric neuro-ophthalmology. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
My clinical and basic research focuses on the molecular genetics of optic nerve protection and development, and neuro-oncology. With the optic nerve, I study idiopathic intracranial hypertension and multiple optic neuropathies including demyelinating disease, traumatic optic neuropathy and hereditary optic neuropathy. I also study vision development, specifically abnormal ocular movements, such as nystagmus. I focus on developing new treatments for improved vision outcomes.
I’m honored to be a fellow with the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS). The society grants this status to individuals who make significant contributions in the field of neuro-ophthalmology. I’ve also received two teaching awards:
In my free time, I like to play video games and watch superhero/sci-fi movies and anime. I also enjoy eating new foods, cooking, traveling, playing basketball, gardening and spending time with family.
BS: Neuroscience and Philosophy; University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 2000.
MD: University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 2008.
PhD: Neuroscience and Neurobiology; University of Pittsburgh, Center of Neuroscience, Pittsburgh, PA, 2008.
Post-doctoral Research: Neuroscience Research, Dr. Lance-Jones Lab, Pittsburgh, PA, 2007.
Internship: Preliminary Internal Medicine, Lankenau Hospital, Wynnewood, PA, 2009.
Residency: Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Eye & Ear Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, 2009-2012.
Fellowship: Neuro-ophthalmology, Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 2012-2013.
Fellowship: Pediatric-Ophthalmology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 2013-2014.
Demyelinating diseases; nystagmus; eye movement abnormalities; cranial nerve palsies; optic nerve hypoplasia; craniofacial diseases; intercranial tumors; optic neuropathy; complex strabismus; ocular genetics/electrophysiology
Ophthalmology, Neurology
Clinical and basic research interests include molecular genetics of optic nerve protection/development and neuro-oncology
Ophthalmology
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Pediatric autoimmune retinopathy and optic neuropathy: a case report and a review of the literature. Frontiers in Ophthalmology. 2023; 3:1275335.
Panuveitis and optic neuropathy following SARS-COV-2 in the absence of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a child. American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports. 2023; 32:101876.
An unusual presentation of bilateral optic pathway glioma in Crouzon Syndrome. Pediatric Hematology-Oncology (Informa). 2023; 40:800-806.
Treatment Response in Children with Relapsing MOGAD. Neuropediatrics: journal of pediatric neurobiology, neurology and neurosurgery. 2023; 54:s1-s32.
496-P: Diabetic Retinopathy in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes—Data from Three Academic Health Centers. Diabetes. 2023; 72.
Split-Tendon Medial Transposition of Lateral Rectus for Pediatric Complete Oculomotor Palsy. Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology. 2023; 43:254-260.
Worldwide outcomes of nasal transposition of the split lateral rectus muscle for strabismus associated with 3rd-nerve palsy. British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2023; 107:725-731.
Common Neuroimaging Findings in Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf Optic Atrophy Syndrome. American Journal of Neuroradiology. 2023; 44:212-217.
Nystagmus Associated with a Retinal Dystrophy: A Teenager with Vision Loss and Eye Shaking. Fundamentals of Pediatric Neuro-Ophthalmology. : Springer Nature; Springer Nature; 2023.
Longitudinal neurological analysis of moderate and severe pediatric cerebral visual impairment. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2022; 16:772353.
Veeral Shah, MD, PhD2/8/2021
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