About

Dr. Iqbal Ike K. Ahmed is the director of the Alan S. Crandall Center for Glaucoma Innovation at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah. Under his leadership, the center is dedicated to reversing the global trend of increasing glaucoma cases, a blinding disease currently affecting nearly 80 million people worldwide and projected to rise to 112 million by 2040. The center leverages unique resources at the Moran Eye Center to advance research focused on better diagnostics, safer and more effective therapies and surgical devices, a deeper understanding of glaucoma and its genetics, and expanded access to care. Dr. Ahmed and his team take an interventional approach to glaucoma care, which may include surgery earlier in the disease course to preserve vision. The center's initiatives under his direction include innovating safe and effective surgical devices, translational research into the biology and genetics of glaucoma, development of neuroprotection-based therapies aimed at restoring or regenerating the optic nerve, and global care efforts to find better diagnostic methods and affordable treatments. Dr. Ahmed's expertise and leadership have also been highlighted through collaborative patient care stories and efforts to extend innovative glaucoma therapies and devices worldwide.

Research topics

• Ophthalmology
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Materials science

Selected publications

• Late Presentation for Cataract Surgery: A Case-Control Study

  Ophthalmic Epidemiology · 2026-03-05

  article

  PURPOSE: To identify risk factors for delayed presentation for cataract surgery by comparing the clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of patients presenting early versus late. Postoperative outcomes are also compared between these groups. METHODS: Patients referred for cataract surgery at a high-volume community-based ophthalmology practice were enrolled in this retrospective case-control study. Patients with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/200 or worse were classified as "late presenters." A control group of patients with BCVA better than 20/200 was also assessed. Patient age, sex, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, BCVA at week 1 post-surgery, and intraoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: < 0.001), and late presenters also had significantly higher rates of perioperative complications (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.20-6.39). CONCLUSIONS: Late presenters for cataract surgery have more comorbidities, worse postoperative vision, and higher complication rates. System-wide efforts are needed to reduce delays in cataract treatment.

  PublisherDOI

• Corneal Endothelial Safety Profile Of Three Different Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery Stents

  2026-03-31

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• One-year outcomes of an ab externo sibs microshunt in combination with phacoemulsification

  Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology · 2026-02-02

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effect, adverse event profile, and risk factors for failure of an ab externo microshunt combined with phacoemulsification after 1 year of follow-up. DESIGN: A retrospective, single-center, interventional cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred nineteen consecutive glaucomatous eyes of 97 patients with an IOP above target or progressing on maximal medical therapy. METHODS: All eyes underwent ab externo microshunt surgery with mitomycin C in combination with phacoemulsification from July 2015 to June 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome was complete success, defined as (1) no 2 consecutive IOP readings >17 mm Hg or IOP <6 mm Hg with >2 lines of vision loss, (2) at least 20% IOP reduction from baseline, and (3) on no medications. Secondary outcomes included upper IOP thresholds of 14 mm Hg and 21 mm Hg, qualified success (with medications), change in IOP, medications, visual outcomes, complications, interventions, and reoperations. RESULTS: At 1-year, complete success was achieved in 67.5% of eyes and qualified success in 79.8%. The median best-corrected vision acuity improved from 0.4 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.2-0.7) at baseline to 0.14 (IQR 0.1-0.3) at 1 year (p < 0.0001), with 93.2% having the same or improved vision. The most common complications were shallow anterior chamber (10.1%), iritis (9.2%), and choroidal detachment (8.4%). Needling was required in 24.4% of the eyes. Reoperation was required in 5.9% of the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The ab externo SIBS microshunt demonstrates reasonable rates of complete and qualified success at 1 year, decreased IOP and medication use, good visual outcomes, and few reoperations when performed in combination with phacoemulsification.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Canadian provincial cataract surgery wait times from 2008 to 2023: a retrospective study of Canadian Institute for Health information data.

  PubMed · 2026-04-02

  article

  OBJECTIVE: To compare Canadian provincial cataract surgery "Wait Time 2" (WT2) between 2008 and 2023. WT2 refers to the interval between surgical booking and the date of surgery, with a national benchmark of ≤16 weeks in Canada. DESIGN: A retrospective population-based analysis of the Canadian Institute for Health Information priority procedure database. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (≥18 years) undergoing publicly funded first-eye cataract surgery in Canada. METHODS: The analysis was limited to first-eye cataract surgeries. Metrics included surgical volume, median WT2, 90th percentile WT2, and the proportion of surgeries completed within the 16-week national benchmark. RESULTS: We identified 2,322,451 cataract procedures between 2008 and 2023. There was an increase in the national median income and 90th percentile cataract surgery WT2 by 3.04 days/year (p = 0.03) and 11.26 days/year (p < 0.01), respectively. Between 2008 and 2023, 6 provinces (Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec) experienced significant average annual increases to their 50th and 90th percentile WT2, alongside reductions in the proportion of patients meeting the benchmark period. In the interprovincial analysis, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba had the greatest increase in median WT2 and the lowest benchmark achievement compared to other provinces. Quebec had the lowest WT2 and a higher proportion of cataract surgeries within the benchmark period. Provincially, greater ophthalmologist density, greater gross domestic product per capita, and a lower proportion of urban-dwelling residents were significantly associated with shorter WT2 times and higher rates of WT2 benchmark achievement. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2008 and 2023, WT2 and the proportion of patients missing WT2 benchmarks generally increased across Canada.

  PublisherDOI

• Follow-up after cataract surgery: a cross-sectional survey of Canadian practice patterns at a large surgical centre.

  PubMed · 2026-05-18

  letterSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Effect of an Intraluminal Suture on Outflow Resistance in an in Vitro Styrene-Block-Isobutylene-Block-Styrene Microshunt Partial Occlusion Model

  Ophthalmology Glaucoma · 2026-03-01

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE: Measure outflow resistance of the styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene (SIBS) microshunt when sutures of differing lengths, sizes, and materials partially occlude the lumen. DESIGN: In vitro experiment METHODS: The SIBS microshunt proximal end was connected to a gravity perfusion system. The distal tip was submerged within a fluid-filled covered collection-beaker. Microshunt flow was quantified through collection-beaker mass changes. Each 5-minute trial was replicated 4 times per condition. Various sutures were inserted into the distal end of the microshunt's lumen, and outflow resistance was measured in partly occluded states (4-mm or 8-mm suture length inserted, 9-0 or 10-0 suture diameters, Vicryl or nylon suture). The 4-mm 10-0 nylon condition was repeated with sutures from different lots to investigate the effects of suture manufacturing variability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Outflow resistance. RESULTS: Resistance of nonoccluded SIBS microshunts (n = 5) was 1.74 ± 0.06 mmHg/μl/minute, matching the theoretical 1.76 mmHg/μl/minute from the Hagen-Poiseuille formula. Partial occlusion with a 4-mm 10-0 suture increased resistance to 3.42 ± 0.13 mmHg/μl/minute for nylon and 3.55 ± 0.13 for Vicryl. Partial occlusion with an 8-mm 10-0 suture increased resistance to 4.66 ± 0.21 for nylon and 5.08 ± 0.23 for Vicryl. Partial occlusion with a 4-mm 9-0 suture increased resistance to 5.11 ± 0.28 for nylon and 5.00 ± 0.27 for Vicryl. Partial occlusion with an 8-mm 9-0 suture increased resistance to 7.24 ± 0.37 for nylon and 7.87 ± 0.55 for Vicryl. Resistance differed significantly between nonoccluded versus all partially occluded states (P < 0.0001), 4- versus 8-mm partially occlusion lengths (P < 0.0001), 10-0 versus 9-0 suture diameters (P < 0.0001), and 4-mm 10-0 nylon sutures from different lots (P < 0.0001). No difference was observed between suture materials (P > 0.05) or different microshunts (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Nonoccluded microshunt resistance measured by the perfusion model matched theoretical values. Partial occlusion with either suture material caused substantial resistance increases, depending on suture diameter and length, compared with nonoccluded microshunts. If desired, partial occlusion with 4-mm 9-0 nylon or 8-mm 10-0 nylon suture is recommended, producing resistance consistently above the hypotony threshold while maintaining optimal therapeutic efficacy. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

  PublisherDOI

• Sedation for cataract surgery: a survey of Ontario and Quebec ophthalmologists

  Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology · 2026-02-21

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Intermediate Outcomes of a Novel Flat Glaucoma Drainage Device in Uncontrolled Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

  Clinical ophthalmology · 2026-04-01

  articleOpen access

  Purpose: To evaluate the intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect and adverse event profile of the Implante Plano Miranda (IPM), a novel flat glaucoma drainage device. Methods: Prospective, single-arm, open-label Phase II clinical trial including 24 eyes with uncontrolled primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) despite maximal tolerated medical therapy, undergoing standalone IPM implantation with adjunctive Mitomycin-C (MMC). Primary outcome was the proportion of eyes achieving surgical success, defined by: ≥ 20% IOP reduction from baseline on same or fewer medications without clinical hypotony or reoperation. Secondary outcomes included changes in IOP, medication burden, endothelial cell density (ECD), and adverse events. Patients were followed for 12 months. Results: At 12 months, surgical success was achieved in 79.5% of eyes. Median IOP decreased from 24.0 mmHg (IQR 24– 26) preoperatively to 14.0 mmHg (IQR 12– 17) at one year (p < 0.0001), representing a 41.6% reduction. Median glaucoma medications decreased from 4 (IQR 3– 4) to 1 (IQR 0– 3) (p < 0.0001). ECD remained stable (baseline 1,671.98 ± 570.75 vs. 12 months 1,684.37 ± 549.25 cells/mm 2 ; p = 0.797). Minor adverse events occurred in 29.1% of eyes; no serious complications or reoperations were reported. Conclusion: The IPM was associated with significant IOP reduction and decreased medication use at one year. No serious safety events were observed during the 12-month follow-up. Given the small sample size and single-arm design, larger controlled studies with longer follow-up are necessary to better define the safety and efficacy profile of this device. Keywords: flat glaucoma drainage device, implante plano miranda, glaucoma surgery, subconjunctival filtering

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Reply: Intravenous vs nonintravenous sedation for cataract surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis

  Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery · 2025-09-15

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• When to declare an endophthalmitis outbreak: Poisson model of postcataract surgery endophthalmitis outbreak projections

  Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery · 2025-12-10

  article

  PURPOSE: To create an accessible, online tool that determines the likelihood of an endophthalmitis outbreak. SETTING: Surgical centers that perform cataract surgeries. DESIGN: Mathematical modelling study. METHODS: The global risk of acute postoperative endophthalmitis (POE), defined as occurring within 6 weeks after standalone cataract surgery, was determined from a systematic review. An online tool was then created using the Poisson model to determine the likelihood of a POE outbreak. The model used the number of cataract surgeries performed, time, and the number of POE cases observed. Significance was defined as P < .05, P < .01, or P < .001. RESULTS: From the 25 included studies, the mean standard risk of POE after standalone cataract surgery was 0.0692% (range: 0.0189% to 0.102%). The model demonstrated that for a center that performs 1000 cataract surgeries in a month, the probability of at least 1 POE case occurring in a month is not statistically significant ( P = .461, P > .05), and therefore, an outbreak is unlikely. By contrast, the probability of at least 3 POE cases occurring in a month at this center is statistically significant ( P < .05), and thus, has moderate evidence for an outbreak with 95% confidence. CONCLUSIONS: The Poisson model represents an evidence-based way to determine whether the number of POE cases is within expectations for the number of cataract operations performed over a period. This online tool provides ophthalmologists and public health agencies with helpful data to guide POE outbreak declaration decisions.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Matthew B. Schlenker

  Trillium Health Centre

  200 shared

• Ticiana De Francesco

  Hospital Geral de Fortaleza

  79 shared

• Harmanjit Singh

  University of Washington

  71 shared

• Arsham Sheybani

  Washington University in St. Louis

  69 shared

• Devesh Varma

  Prism Eye Institute

  69 shared

• Milad Modabber

  Herzig Eye Institute

  64 shared

• Steven G. Safran

  64 shared

• Xavier Campos‐Möller

  61 shared

Education

• M.D.

  University of Toronto

Awards & honors

• King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025)
• Canada’s Top 40 Under 40
• Binkhorst Medal at ASCRS
• AGS Surgery Day Lecture
• Innovator Award from the American Glaucoma Society (2025)