Post on 13-Apr-2018
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Curriculum Vitae
Ammar N. Safar, MD
P.O. Box 16223 Aleppo – Syria
Tel: (021) 228-0049 Fax: (021) 228-0059
Email: AleppoRetina@gmail.com
POSITION TITLE:
Associate Professor 2007- 2009 Department of Ophthalmology Jones Eye Institute
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Assistant Professor 2001– 2007 Department of Ophthalmology
Jones Eye Institute University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Director of Vitreo-Retinal Service 2003 - 2009 Department of Ophthalmology
Jones Eye Institute University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Director of Vitreo-Retinal Service 2001- 2009 Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System
Little Rock, Arkansas
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Assistant Instructor 1999- 2001 Department of Ophthalmology
University Of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Texas
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EDUCATION:
Fellow, Vitreo-Retinal Diseases & Surgery 1999-2001 Parkland Memorial Hospital Department of Ophthalmology
University Of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, Texas
Chief Resident 1998-1999 Center for Sight
Department of Ophthalmology Georgetown University Medical Center Washington, DC
Ophthalmology Resident 1996-1999
Center for Sight Department of Ophthalmology Georgetown University Medical Center
Washington, DC
First and second year resident 1995-1996 Department of Internal Medicine The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Pennsylvania State University Hershey, Pennsylvania
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) 1987-1993 Aleppo University, School of Medicine-
Aleppo, Syria Bachelor of Science, (Biology) 1984-1987
American College of Aleppo Aleppo, Syria
United States Medical Licensing Examination Sept. 1994 (USMLE), Step I
United States Medical Licensing Examination March, 1994 (USMLE), Step II
United States Medical Licensing Examination May, 1996
USMLE, Step III
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CERTIFICATION:
Diplomat, American Board of Ophthalmology,
Certified: November 19, 2000
Valid through December 31, 2010
Maintenance of Certification requirements completed Certification valid January 1, 2011 through
December 31, 2020
TEACHING DUTIES:
Chief, Vireo-retinal department
Specialist Eye Hospital, Aleppo - Syria
PUBLICATIONS:
1. Bhavsar AR, Ip MS, Glassman AR; DRCRnet and the SCORE Study
Groups. The risk of endophthalmitis following intravitreal triamcinolone injection in the DRCRnet and SCORE Clinical Trials.
Am J Ophthalmol 2007 Sep;144(3): 454-6
2. Michael S. Ip, Susan S. Bressler, Andrew N. Antoszyk, Christina J.
Flaxel, Judy E. Kim, Scott M. Friedman, Haijing Qin, Jaeb Center for Health Research and the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical
Research Network. A Randomized Trial Comparing Intravitreal Triamcinolone and Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema: Baseline Features.RETINA.28(7):919-930
3. Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Randomized Trial
Comparing Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide and Focal/Grid
Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema. Ophthalmology E-Press ahead of print.
4. Bhavsar AR, Ip MS, Glassman AR; DRCRnet and the SCORE Study
Groups. The risk of endophthalmitis following intravitreal
triamcinolone injection in the DRCRnet and SCORE Clinical Trials. Am J Ophthalmol 2007 Sep;144(3): 454-6.
5. Michael S. Ip, Susan S. Bressler, Andrew N. Antoszyk, Christina J. Flaxel, Judy E. Kim, Scott M. Friedman, Haijing Qin, Jaeb Center
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for Health Research and the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. A Randomized Trial Comparing Intravitreal Triamcinolone and Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular
Edema: Baseline Features. Retina 2008; 28(7):919-930
6. Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Randomized Trial Comparing Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide and Focal/Grid
Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema. Ophthalmology 2008 Sep;115(9):1447-1459.e10
7. Safar A, Dellimore MC, The Effect of Povidone Iodine Flush versus
Drops on Conjunctival Colonization before Intravitreal Injections.
Int Ophthalmol. 2007 Oct;27(5):307-12
8. Brodsky MC, Safar A, Optic Disc Tuber. Arch Ophthalmol. 2007
May;125(5):710-2
9. Midathada M, Safar A, Schaefer R, Viswamitra S, Kohli M.Ocular melanoma versus ocular metastasis: a diagnostic dilemma. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol. 2005 May;3(5):425-7
10. Song J, Skiest DJ, Safar AN, Edwards AO. "PCR for etiologically
equivocal retinitis in HIV patients without CD4 depletion." Journal of Korean American Medical Association (9): 83-88, 2003.
11. Melki SA, Safar AN, Martin JP, Ivanova A, Adi MA. Potential Acuity Pinhole, A simple method to measure potential visual acuity in
patients with cataracts, Comparison to potential acuity meter PAM. Ophthalmology 1999; 106:1262-1267
12. Safar AN. Ocular Wegener’s Granulomatosis: Case presentation
and review. Digital Journal of Ophthalmology- Harvard Medical
School, Vol (2) September 1998.
13. Safar AN, Pillai S., Purtscher’s Retinopathy. Digital Journal Of ophthalmology - Harvard Medical School, Vol (1) May 1997.
14. Melki SA, Safar AN, Yaghouti F, Scharper P, Scharper M, Zeligs B,
MacDowell A, Goldberg M, Lustbader J. Effect of topical povidone-iodine versus topical ofloxacin on experimental Staphylococcus keratitis Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Volume 238, Issue 5, pp 459-462
15. Safar AN, Aseel M. Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS). Graduation thesis, Aleppo Univ Archives, Volume 24, 1993
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MANUSCRIPTS:
1. Neil M. Bressler, Allison R. Edwards, Roy W. Beck, Christina J.
Flaxel, Adam R. Glassman, Michael S. Ip, Craig Kollman, Baruch
D. Kuppermann, Thomas W. Stone, for the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network. Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy at 1 Year and 2 Years in a Retrospective Analysis of a Randomized
Clinical Trial Comparing Intravitreal Triamcinolone with Focal/Grid Photocoagulation. Submitted to Arch Ophthalmol
2. Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network.Three-year Follow Up of a Randomized Trial Comparing Focal/Grid Photocoagulation
and Intravitreal Triamcinolone for Diabetic Macular Edema. Submitted to Arch Ophthalmol
BOOK CHAPTERS:
1. Safar A, Azar D: Five pearls in the Management of Crystalline and
Artificial Intraocular Lens Dislocation. Melki S, et al. 101 Pearls In
Refractive, Cataract, and Corneal Surgery SLACK Inc. 2001
2. Safar A, Azar D: pearls in the Management of Crystalline and
Artificial Intraocular Lens Dislocation. Melki S, et al. 101 Pearls In Refractive, Cataract, and Corneal Surgery SLACK Inc. 2006,
Second edition
ABSTRACTS / POSTERS / ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
1. Safar AN, Melki SA, Adi MA. Avoiding Myopic Shifts By Cutting the Power Of the IOL 1-1.5 D When Implanted in the Ciliary Sulcus.
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. San Diego, CA April 1998.
2. Safar AN, Melki SA, Martin JP, Adi MA. A Simple Method in Predicting Potential Visual Acuity.
American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. San Diego, CA April 1998.
3. Melki SA, Safar AN, Yaghouti F, Scharper P, Scharper M, Zeligs B, Goldberg M, Lustbader J. Treatment of Experimental Bacterial Keratitis with Povidone-Iodine. ARVO Meeting Fort Lauderdale, FL. May 1998.
4. Safar AN, Melki SA, Chrousos GA, Wagner DG. Mild Diode Laser
Teatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity.
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Georgetown University Ophthalmology Alumni Day. Washington, DC June 1997.
5. Safar AN, Von-Fricken M, Pilkerton AR. Retinal Detachment Rate after Removal of Scleral Buckles. Georgetown University Ophthalmology Alumni Day. Washington, DC June 1998.
6. Safar AN, Spagnola B, Shin S, Sayed KS. Periocular vs. topical antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract surgery.
Georgetown University Ophthalmology Alumni Day. Washington, DC June 1999.
7. Safar AN, Spagnola B, Shin S, Sayed KS. Periocular vs. topical antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract surgery.
Scientific paper, annual meeting of American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery (ASCRS). Boston, MA May, 2000.
8. Kim NM, Safar AN, Edwards AO. Can Infrared scanning laser
ophthalmoscopy detect early Age-related macular degeneration in predisposed patients?
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Resident and Alumni day Meeting Dallas, Texas, June 2000
9. Appa SN, Safar AN, Anderson W, Edwards AO Prospective Case-
Control Study of Infrared Fundus Imaging in Subjects at High and Low Genetic Risk for AMD Scientific Poster, the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual
Meeting, November 2001. New Orleans, Louisiana
10. Safar AN, Surgical Management of Subretinal Choroidal
Neovascular Membranes in Non-AMD Patients. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Resident and Alumni day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2002
11. Sayani N, Brown H, Safar AN Retinal Changes following Internal Limiting Membrane Peel in Cadaver Eyes University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Resident and Alumni day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2002
12. Song J, Skiest DJ, Safar AN, Edwards AO. PCR for etiologically
equivocal retinitis in HIV patients without CD4 depletion.
Presented at annual meeting of American Society of Cataract and
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Refractive Surgery June 4, 2002, Philadelphia, PA
13. Lowery RS, Safar AN, Outcome of Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Long-Standing Idiopathic Macular Holes University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Resident and Alumni day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2002
14. Brown HH, Safar AN, Sayani N, Histological and ultrastructural
examination of internal limiting membrane peel in postmortem autopsy eye Scientific poster, annual meeting of The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
ARVO, May 2002
15. Schmucker T, Safar AN, Intravitreal Kenalog Injection for refractory Macular Edema University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Resident and Alumni Day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2003
16. Hughes BM, Safar AN, Early Re-treatment with Photodynamic
Therapy: Is it worth it?
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Resident and Alumni Day Meeting
Little Rock, Arkansas May 2003
17. Wenger A, Safar AN Don’t Gamble with Hypopyon University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Resident and Alumni Day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2003
18. Safar AN New Developments in the Management of CRVO University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Resident and Alumni Day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 23, 2003
19. Hughes BM, Safar AN, The in-vitro Effect of ICG-dye on Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Resident and Alumni Day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2004
20. Safar AN, Wilkes B, Wenger A,
Immediate Vitrectomy for Removal of Posteriorly Dislocated Crystalline Lens during Cataract Surgery University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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Resident and Alumni day meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2004
21. The Effect of Povidone Iodine Flush versus Drops on Conjunctival Colonization before Intravitreal Injections
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Resident and Alumni Day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2005
22. Safar AN, "An Update on Avastin for Exudative AMD" University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Resident and Alumni Day Meeting Little Rock, Arkansas May 2006
23. Current and emerging treatment options for Diabetic Retinopathy 31st Annual Meeting of the Syrian Ophthalmological Society Aleppo- Syria April 5-7, 2007
CLINICAL TRIALS:
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (DRCRnet) – NIH A collaborative network dedicated to facilitating multicenter clinical
research of diabetic retinopathy. DRCR was founded in September 2002. It is funded by the National Eye
Institute (NEI) which is a part of the National Institute of Health (NIH). The Jones Eye Institute was
granted the status of “certified study center” in April 2005. Principal Investigator: Ammar Safar, MD
Title: A Randomized Trial Comparing Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide and Laser Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema (ongoing-3 year study)
Principal Investigator IRB approval Date: 04/23/2005
NEI Cooperative agreement: U10 EY14231
Title: A Pilot Study of Peribulbar Triamcinolone Acetonide for Diabetic Macular Edema
Principal Investigator IRB approval Date: 06/07/2005 Enrollment closed to new subjects: 09/29/2005
NEI Cooperative agreement: U10 EY14231
Age-Related Eye Disease Study II (AREDS II) – NIH Principal Investigator
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Title: Randomized Trial of Lutein, Zeazanthin, and Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Docosahexaenoic Acid [DHA} and Eicosapentaenoic Acid [EPA}) in Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Alimera Inc. Principal Investigator Title: A Randomized, Double-Masked, Parallel Group, Multi-Center, Dose-Finding Comparison of the Safety and Efficacy of ASI-001A 0.5 µg/day
and ASI-001B 0.2 µg/day Fluocinolone Acetonide Intravitreal Inserts to Sham Injection in Subjects with Diabetic
Macular Edema IRB approval Date: 08/10/2006
Allergan Inc Sub-investigator Title: A Six-Month, Phase 3, Multicenter, Masked, Randomized,
Sham-Controlled Trial (with Six-Month Open-Label Extension) to
Assess the Safety and Efficacy of 700 g and 350 g Dexamethasone Posterior Segment Drug Delivery System (DEX PS DDS) Applicator System in the Treatment of Patients with Macular Edema Following Central Retinal Vein Occlusion or Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion or Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion
IRB approval date: 08/01/2006
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharm, Inc.
(Co-PI with Dr. Sami Harik) Title: A two year open label, randomized, parallel group, blinded
assessment ophthalmologic safety study of pramipexole IR versus ropinirole in early Parkinson’s Disease patients (ongoing – 2 year
study) IRB approval Date: 04/5/2005 Enrollment ongoing
Basic Research. Consultant: Idiopathic Anterior Uveitis and Type 1 Collagen
NIH Grant No. 7 R01 EY01625-02 Project Period: 02/01/2005 - 01/31/2007
Co-Investigator: Alcohol Metabolism and Choroidal
Neovascularization NIH R01 Submitted 03/01/2006
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Self-initiated Trials Performed at University of Arkansas (UAMS):
Determining Macular Edema Response Time to Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection via Optical Coherence Tomography Research to Prevent Blindness Award Amount: $2,000
Principal Investigator. 2005 Bacterial Colonization of the Conjunctival Surface with Povidone
Iodine Drops versus Flush Irrigation before Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection Research to Prevent Blindness Award Amount: $2,000
Principal Investigator. 2005
Corneal Topographic Changes Following Pars Plana Vitrectomy Research to Prevent Blindness Award Amount: $13,141.45
Principal Investigator. 2005 High and Low Dose Intravitreal Triamcinolone Acetate for Treatment
of Macular Edema Research to Prevent Blindness Award Amount: $12,000 Principal Investigator. 2004
Histopathological Changes of the Retina After Peeling the Internal Limiting Membrane (ILM) in Cadaver Eyes IRB Approved Research to Prevent Blindness Award Amount: $12,000 Principal Investigator
Completed 2002 Performed at other Institutions: Effect of topical Povidone-iodine versus topical Ofloxacin on
experimental Staphylococcus keratitis Principal Investigator Georgetown University Medical Center, 1996 IRB approved. Completed
Periocular vs. topical antibiotic prophylaxis in cataract surgery.
Principal Investigator Georgetown University Medical Center, 1999 IRB approved. Completed
Reflectance Imaging to Detect Sub-clinical Age-related Macular
Degeneration In Predisposed Patients Co-Investigator Univ. of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 1999-2001
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IRB # 0400-200 - Completed
HONORS AND AWARDS: Inaugural recepient of the Martha Wood Bentley
Chair of Ophthalmology, April 8 2009. Little Rock, Arkansas
Outstanding Teacher Award Presented by the Ophthalmology residents at the Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, UAMS May 28, 2004
Teacher of the year Award Presented by the Ophthalmology residents at the Jones Eye Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, UAMS May 30, 2003
Chief Resident Georgetown University, Department of Ophthalmology Washington, DC July 1998 to June 1999
Award For Excellence In Research Presented by the Worthen Center for Eye Care Research Washington, DC June 12, 1999
El Zihrawi Award for Outstanding Research Presented by the Arab American Medical Association
Washington Chapter, November 7, 1998 Washington, DC
Honor Student, Graduate Educational Committee Aleppo University, School of Medicine. Aleppo, Syria Sep 9, 1993 Student of the Year Award
American College of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria, July 1987
Scientific Reviewer, American Journal of Ophthalmology
INVITED LECTURESHIPS:
Retina panel of Experts: Controversies in Vitreoretinal surgery
31st Annual meeting of the Syrian Ophthalmological Society
April 5-7, 2007 Aleppo- Syria
Guest speaker: New Advances in Treating Diabetic Retinopathy
Annual Diabetes Update. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology.
UAMS. March 3, 2007
Guest Speaker New approach in the Management of Diabetic Retinopathy Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology. August 2006
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Guest Speaker
Vitreoretinal Update, 2006 Department of Health and Aleppo University. July 7, 2006 Aleppo, Syria
Visiting Professor Anti-VEGF Treatment for Exudative AMD American University of Beirut. July 13, 2006
Beirut, Lebanon
Visiting Professor
Case Studies Eye Specialty Hospital, July 17 2006 Aleppo, Syria
Guest speaker: Regional conference for VA nursing staff Overview of Diabetic Retinopathy
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, May 2006
Visiting professor What's new in Retina?
Aleppo University, School of Medicine
Department of Ophthalmology- July 2005
Guest Speaker
Introduction to Retinal disease Department of Ophthalmic Technologies, UAMS. 10/24/2005
Guest Speaker Basics of Diabetic Retinopathy Department of Ophthalmic Technologies, UAMS. 12/18/2004
Guest Speaker Introduction to Retinal Photography
Department of Ophthalmic Technologies, UAMS. 9/30/2004
Guest Speaker
Ophthalmic Surgery- Retina and Vitreous Department of Ophthalmic Technologies, UAMS. April 2, 2003
Mini medical school X University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. April, 2003
Guest Speaker: Rural Hospital Program Age-related macular degeneration University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. March 18, 2003
Guest speaker: Regional conference for VA nursing staff
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Age-related Macular Degeneration. Where we are, and where we need to be
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System June 2003
Guest speaker: Introduction to Vitreo-Retinal diseases and Surgery
Ophthalmic Medical Technician Course. January 3, 2002
Department of Ophthalmic Technologies, UAMS
ACADEMIC AFFILIATIONS:
Associate Professor with tenure Department of Ophthalmology University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, UAMS
Attending Physician
Department of Ophthalmology
Arkansas Children's Hospital Little Rock, AR
Staff Surgeon, Surgical Services:
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little
Rock, AR
Alexandria VA Medical Center, Alexandria, LA
Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center, North Little Rock,
AR
Fayetteville VA Medical Center, Fayetteville, AR
Muskogee VA Medical Center, Muskogee, OK
Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, Oklahoma
Overton Brooks Medical Center, Shreveport, LA
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
American Academy Of Ophthalmology, 1996 - present
American Society of Retina Specialists, 2003 - present American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 1996-present
The Association for Research In Vision and Ophthalmology ARVO, 1996- present
Texas Ophthalmologic Association 1999-present
Penn State University Alumni Association 1995-present University of Texas Alumni Association 1999-present
Georgetown University Alumni Association 1996-present Arab-American Medical Association, member since1997-present Research To Prevent Blindness, Ophthalmologic Associate
1998-present American College of Surgeons, 2008 to present
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RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Tele-Ophthalmology: founded the first Ophthalmology
telemedicine program in the VA system. This involves a
network of 10 veteran’s hospitals in south east USA connected with a digital communication network for instant
access to advanced sub-specialty eye care.
Retinal Vascular diseases: discovering new management
options for diabetic retinopathy and vascular occlusive disorders
Macular Degeneration: New approaches for treatment of
exudative macular degeneration
LICENSURE:
Arkansas State Medical Board License expires 3/31/2011 (renewed annually)