Professor; EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Endowed Chair; Glaucoma Fellowship Director

Areas of Interest
medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma including laser therapy; comprehensive ophthalmology including cataract surgery; research and development of glaucoma devices; role of the central nervous system in the development and progression of glaucoma

In addition to seeing general ophthalmology patients, Dr. Samuels’ area of expertise is the diagnosis and treatment of patients with glaucoma. His clinical and research interests overlap significantly. His research laboratory focuses on identifying how the brain controls pressure inside the eye. Further, he has established himself as one of the leading experts in understating how differences in eye and brain pressure can lead to glaucoma and other ophthalmic diseases.

Dr. Samuels completed M.D. and Ph.D. degrees through the combined degree program at Indiana University in 2004. He received his Ph.D. in medical neurobiology and was awarded the Chancellor’s Scholars award for his thesis work.  He then completed his ophthalmology residency training at UAB. Dr. Samuels then finished both a clinical and research fellowship in glaucoma at Duke University where he was named outstanding fellow and received the Hornaday Fellowship Award.

Following his fellowship training, Dr. Samuels joined the faculty in the department of ophthalmology at Indiana University for three years. During this time, he was named a KL2 Scholar and received funding for his research and career development. This support helped launch his independent research program.

Dr. Samuels rejoined the UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences in 2013. He is currently funded through an individual NIH/NEI K08 mentored clinician scientist career development award focused on identifying how the hypothalamus controls intraocular pressure and intracranial pressure. In addition to his K08 award, he is also a collaborator on a grant funded by NASA attempting to determine why astronauts have changes in vision when they live in space for extended periods of time.

Education & Training

Medical School
Indiana University

Internship
IU/Methodist Hospital Translational Year Residency Program

Residency in Ophthalmology
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Clinical and Research Fellowships in Glaucoma
Duke University

Contact Information

Locations
UAB Callahan Eye Hospital, Suite 601
UAB Callahan Eye – HooverUAB Callahan Eye – Hoover

Appointment Phone
(844) UAB-EYES

Fax
(205) 325-8641