Shahnaz Miri joined Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine as an assistant professor in Wilmer’s neuro-ophthalmology division in July 2021. A neuro-ophthalmologist and board-certified neurologist, Miri sees patients at Wilmer Eye Institute’s locations at Baltimore and Bel Air.

What attracted you to the field of ophthalmology?

Ophthalmology is a highly innovative field with cutting-edge technology that provides the opportunity to specialize in a very specific area. There are many systemic health issues and neurological disorders that manifest in the eye, and I am passionate about evaluating these complex disorders and helping patients and my colleagues to diagnose and manage these conditions.

What drew you to Wilmer?

Wilmer Eye Institute is the national leader in research and training and is internationally renowned for specialized eye care. There are outstanding opportunities for groundbreaking clinical research, clinical practice and excellent patient care at Wilmer. It is an honor to join Wilmer’s well-trained and highly experienced team of physicians, scientists and staff.

Where do you see opportunities for advancement or innovation in your specialty?

There are great opportunities in the application of artificial intelligence in the field of ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology. This technology has the potential to speed the process of collecting and analyzing data that can help us identify diseases and ultimately, develop cures.

What are your research interests?

Having an interdisciplinary background in neurology, neuro-ophthalmology and movement disorders, I am interested in the investigation of ophthalmic biomarkers for neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

What are you working on right now, and how will it contribute to the advancement of ophthalmology?

My research focuses on investigating visual disorders and ocular biomarkers in patients with Parkinson’s disease and cognitive impairments, including Alzheimer’s disease. Detecting under-diagnosed visual abnormalities in this group of patients with neurological disorders can lead to treatments that can help to improve their quality of life and their daily function. In addition, the discovery of novel ocular biomarkers will be instrumental for clinical trials of tools for monitoring disease status and progression in the future.