Dr. Neel D. Pasricha is an ophthalmologist and surgeon-scientist who cares for patients with cataracts and diseases of the cornea. His expertise includes performing cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, ocular surface surgery, anterior segment reconstruction (repairing structures at the front of the eye), and corneal collagen cross-linking (a way of making weak cornea tissues stronger).
In his research, Pasricha seeks to discover new drugs to prevent eye toxicity from antibody-drug conjugates (compounds used to treat cancer). He serves as the ophthalmology principal investigator for I-SPY 2, a clinical trial platform of more than 30 sites across the country that partner to evaluate new oncology drugs for patients with high-risk breast cancer in early stages. Additionally, Pasricha seeks to discover new drugs for increasing tear production to treat disorders such as dry eye disease. He uses ocular surface electrophysiology (measuring electrical changes in the tear film on the eye's surface) to study ion transport (movement of sodium, chloride and potassium across a membrane).
After earning a bachelor's degree in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University, Pasricha earned his medical degree at the Duke University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in ophthalmology at UCSF, where he received the Hogan/Garcia Award for best research by a resident as well as an award recognizing excellence and innovation in graduate medical education for his work on virtual microsurgery training. He completed a fellowship in cornea, external disease and refractive surgery at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. While at Bascom Palmer, he received the fellow of the year award and was awarded a merit fellowship from the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation.
Pasricha belongs to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Cornea Society, and Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer.
In his free time, Pasricha loves being with his wife (also an ophthalmologist) and daughter. He also enjoys running Bay Area trails, exploring new restaurants, telling dad jokes, eating cookies, wearing silly socks, and traveling with friends and family.
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