Dr. Gibran Khurshid’s journey into the field of ophthalmology began in Ireland, where he completed his residency in 2004. During this time, he also pursued a Master of Medical Sciences degree with honors from the National University of Ireland. His passion for learning and advancing his skills led him to undertake a Pediatric and Adult retina fellowship at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom, before acquiring another fellowship in Advanced Retina surgery and Ocular Oncology from the prestigious Royal Liverpool University and Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, United Kingdom. Despite his international training, Dr. Khurshid is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident but a national of the United States.
In 2014, Dr. Khurshid joined the University of Florida (UF), shortly after his promotion to Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch. He began at UF as a Clinical Assistant Professor but quickly rose to the rank of Clinical Associate Professor by 2017. Throughout his tenure at UF, Dr. Khurshid has worked tirelessly to enhance his clinical, educational, and research portfolios. His contributions in these fields have impacted not only his patients and the Department of Ophthalmology at UF but the ophthalmology community as a whole through collaborative research efforts and worldwide philanthropy.
As a director of the retina and ocular oncology service, Gibran Khurshid brings a patient-focused approach to the team, emphasizing customer service and patient satisfaction without compromising clinical excellence. Under his supervision, the retina service at UF has tripled from a lone retina surgeon to a service boasting three full-time retina faculty with a fellowship program. This feat of growth aligns with Dr. Khurshid’s belief in providing exemplary patient care as the service ranks as the top revenue-generating service in the department.
In addition to leading the retina service, Dr. Khurshid showcases the most diverse surgical skills in the department. His surgical and clinical prowess has earned him referrals from exceptionally challenging patients around the country, as detailed in section 8 of his clinical portfolio. Since his promotion, he has founded the internationally recognized “Center of Artificial Vision” at UF, focusing on restoring vision in blind patients.
Dr. Khurshid is one of only thirteen surgeons in the nation who implants the Argus® II device, also known as a “bionic eye.” This innovative surgical procedure has attracted surgeons from around the world to UF for training. Patients across the U.S. are also referred to UF to receive this groundbreaking device, further raising UF’s national prominence.
In recent years, Dr. Khurshid began a clinical trial for the implantation of the Artisan lens, a new type of lens placed inside the eye to treat rare lens disorders. This lens is the only choice for patients in which the eye loses its natural support for the lens. Dr. Khurshid is the sole surgeon performing this surgery in the region.
Currently, Dr. Khurshid is collaborating with the Applied Genetic Therapies Corporation to bring unique genetic therapy to treat blind patients with rare inherited retinal conditions at UF. These treatments, like the Argus® II device, involve complex surgical procedures designed to restore visual function and meet the needs of patients with rare, blinding conditions. Once these treatments are successfully implemented, they will offer hope to patients previously deemed irreversibly blind. For his achievements in artificial vision and genetic therapies, Dr. Khurshid received the “Best Doctors in America Award” in 2019 and 2020 by the American Health Council.
Beyond his work in artificial vision, Gibran Syed Khurshid established the ocular oncology service at UF. As the only ocular oncologist at UF Gainesville and Jacksonville, he ensures that his patients have access to the latest modalities in vision- and life-saving therapies. Moreover, Dr. Khurshid successfully undertook the task of arranging radiation plaque therapy for patients with intraocular tumors, which required extensive interdisciplinary coordination. He offers unique, state-of-the-art, targeted proton radiation therapy for eye cancers. In addition, he has incorporated gene expression profiling of the eye melanoma to offer customized treatments to patients and provide more predictive survival analysis.
Conventionally, ocular melanoma is treated with either removing the eye or external beam radiation. However, Dr. Khurshid liaises with providers in general oncology, radiation oncology, and genetics to develop an individualized treatment plan that best meets the patient’s needs. He has developed UF into a hub for clinical trials and research in ocular oncology by developing reputable collaborations with academic centers worldwide.
He is one of three surgeons in the Southeast to offer iodine radiation and brachytherapy treatment. Dr. Gibran Khurshid has also developed new surgical procedures to excise melanomas from the A keen clinician, educator, researcher, innovator, and leader, Dr. Khurshid is dedicated to enhancing the care of his patients and paving a brighter future for the next generation of eye care professionals. His commitment to excellence in all aspects of patient care continues to be demonstrated through his tireless pursuit of clinical excellence, research collaboration, and innovation.
Dr. Khurshid continues to shape the landscape of ophthalmology through his research, teaching, and leadership. His exceptional skills have allowed him to take on challenging cases with remarkable success, making him one of the leading ophthalmologists in the country. His exemplary work has been recognized by numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious American Health Council’s “Best Doctors in America Award” for 2019 and 2020. His commitment to delivering the highest quality of patient care is evident in his achievements thus far, and will continue to lead the field of ophthalmology into a brighter future.
From his innovative research and clinical trials to his passion for excellent patient service, Dr. Gibran Khurshid’s journey is one of inspiration and exemplary standards in ophthalmology. As he looks towards the future, there isno doubt that he will continue to provide outstanding care and innovation for the benefit of his patients. Dr. Khurshid’s success is a testament to the high standards of patient service, excellence in clinical care, and dedication to innovation that he embodies. His unique contributions continue to be an inspiration to aspiring ophthalmologists and medical professionals alike.
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