See the Future

West Coast New Vision Institute

CARING

We treat each patient with dignity, compassion and care. Vision is vital to a great quality of life. We value our patients and take the time to truly get to understand your eye surgery needs.

METICULOUS

We’re convinced that meticulous attention to every small detail of surgery is of utmost importance.

DILIGENCE

Our diligence in caring for each patient’s nuanced case allows us to treat thousands of patients each year. We apply new findings to every case, balancing a diligent and pragmatic approach that our patients deserve.

FOCUSED

Our team is focused. Our operating procedures run smoothly. You will be prepped and at ease when you visit the West Coast New Vision Institute.

Diligent and Detail-Oriented

Since 1998

Dr. Alex Dastgheib (pronounced DAST-GABE) is a board-certified and fellowship-trained eye surgeon practicing in Southern California where he specializes in complex cataract cases.

Dr. Dastgheib grew up in London, England and earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Paris. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the Duke University Eye Center, as well as four fellowships in ophthalmology from National Institutes of Health, the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, Dubroff Eye Center, and Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah.

During his time working at the Johns Hopkins and the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Dastgheib worked on a research paper for wet macular degeneration. He conjured a theory for the cause of wet macular degeneration and proved his theory. Subsequent work led to the creation of medications (anti-VEGF) that have since prevented ~20 million people from losing their eyesight.

As an anterior segment and corneal specialist, Dr. Dastgheib has performed thousands of procedures. Since 2010, Dr. Dastgheib has practiced in Garden Grove, CA, treating underserved patients with severe cataract and retina diseases. Over 325 patients have been cured from cataract blindness under his care, a first in the world, that has been presented in conjunction with Duke University. The paper is titled Phacoemulsion in 325 consecutive eyes with cataract blindness: novel surgical classification and techniques (2022).

Dr. Dastgheib is fluent in English, French, Farsi and is conversational in Spanish and German. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the California Association of Eye Surgeons, and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.

In 2000, Duke University Eye Center established the K. Alexander Dastgheib, M.D., Annual Eye Surgery Award to recognize the senior resident demonstrating excellence in eye surgery as well as judgment. Additionally, Duke University established the Dastgheib Pioneer Award, annually recognizing the most innovative eye surgeons in the world, whose work has made a change in the practice of ophthalmology.

Baccalaureate and Medical Degree

University of Paris, France

Internship

Graduate Hospital of University of Pennsylvania, Internal Medicine

Residency

Duke University Eye Center

Fellowships

University of Utah, John Moran Eye Center – Cornea and Refractive Surgery

Research

Dubroff Eye Center – Research Fellowship
Johns Hopkins Hospital, The Wilmer Eye Institute – Ophthalmic Pathology
National Institutes of Health, National Eye Institute – Ophthalmic Pathology / Immunopathology

Breakthrough discovery of VEGF in Neovascular AMD

As a fellow with W. Richard Green M.D. at Wilmer Eye Pathology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins, Dr. Dastgheib wrote an eye pathology report on a very interesting case of granulomatous reaction to Bruch’s membrane in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), the most common blinding disease of older adults in the western world – affecting approximately 300,000 people annually in the U.S. alone. While working to publish these findings in ’92 – ’93, Dr. Dastgheib theorized that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may play a role in nAMD (Arch. Ophth. 1994;112:813-18).

In 1994, using the methods of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization on sections of whole human eyes, he proved the theory that VEGF is indeed present in large amounts in eyes with nAMD. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1995 Mar;36(4):S102).

Today, anti-VEGF intraocular injection is the most commonly performed eye procedure and has so far saved the sight of an estimated 20 million people with nAMD worldwide.

Awards

Dastgheib Pioneer Award in Ocular Innovation – Established at Duke University in 2014, this award is given annually to someone who has made a major contribution in the field of Ophthalmology focused on something that has proved useful in real life.

K. Alexander Dastgheib, M.D. Surgical Excellence Award – Established at Duke
University in 2000, this annual award is given to a senior resident who has
demonstrated outstanding ophthalmic surgical skill and judgment.

Orange County “Circle of Care Award”– One of ten physicians of all medical
specialties in Orange County, CA to be given this award “for providing extraordinary health care services” recognized by California State Legislature and Senate (2013)

Two-year National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Training
Award at the National Eye Institute (’92 – ’94)

Hospital Affiliations

Hoag Hospital, Newport Beach, CA
Garden Grove Hospital, Garden Grove, CA

Experienced

Thousands of Patients

At West Coast New Vision Institute, we treat thousands of patients each year and have seen and successfully treated some of the most complex cases documented in the world.

No case too large or small

While many other doctors may not be willing to address your complex cataract problems, we treat every patient with grace and dignity to formulate a plan on treatment options.

Innovative

World-renowned

Dr. Alex Dastgheib is known and celebrated for the ophthalmic innovations and breakthroughs he has contributed to this field. Since 2013, he has identified and classified new cataract types and treatment protocols. His work with complex cataract cases has led to 325+ consecutive patients regaining eyesight from cataract blindness. Duke University Eye Center awards two prizes in Dr. Dastgheib's name each year.

Discovered the cause for wet macular degeneration

Dr. Dastgheib discovered the cause for wet macular degeneration in the mid-90s, which led to the development of anti VEGF medications, ultimately preventing ~20M people thus far from blindness around the world.

Treating complex cataracts

Since 2013, Dr. Dastgheib has identified and classified new cataract types and treatment protocols. His work with complex cataract cases has led to 325+ consecutive patients regaining eyesight from cataract blindness. Doctors will benefit from his work in this area of complex cataract surgery.

Dr. Alex Dastgheib's Publications

Dastgheib KA, Peters K, Wisely EC, Kim T. Phacoemulsion in 325 consecutive eyes with cataract blindness: novel surgical classification and techniques. Submitted for publication (2022). (Largest, consecutive case series of successful surgeries for extreme cataracts submitted for publication – all surgeries performed by Dr. Alex Dastgheib).
Srivastava S, Martin DF, Mellow SD, Parks DJ, Dastgheib KA, Chan CC. (2005). Pathological Findings in Eyes with the Ganciclovir Implant. Ophthalmology 2005;112:780-786.
Miki D, Dastgheib KA, Kim T, Pfister-Serres A, Smeds KA, Inoue M, Hatchell DL, Grinstaff M. (2002) A photopolymerized sealant for corneal lacerations. Cornea. 2002;21:393-9.
Arroyo JG, Dastgheib KA, Hatchell DL. (2001) Antithrombotic effect of ticopidine in an experimental model of retinal vein occlusion. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2001;45:359-62 Smeds KA, Pfister-Serres A, Miki D, Dastgheib K, Inoue M, Hatchell DL, Grinstaff MW. (2001) Photocrosslinkable polysaccharides for in situ hydrogel formation. J Biomed Mater Res 2001;54:115-21.
Dastgheib KA, Clinch TE, Manche E, Hersh P, Ramsey J. (2000) Sloughing of corneal epithelium and wound healing complications associated with LASIK in patients with epithelial basement membrane dystrophy. Am J Ophthalmol 2000;130:297-303.
Li Q, Sun B, Dastgheib K, Chan CC. (1996) Suppressive effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 on the recurrence of experimental melanin protein induced uveitis (EMIU):Upregulation of ocular interleukin-10. Clinical Immunol and Immonopath 1996;811:55-61.
Whitcup SM, Dastgheib K, Nussenblatt RD, Pizzo PA, Chan CC. (1994) A
clinicopathologic report of retinal lesions associated with didanosine. Arch Ophthalmol 1994;112:1594-98.
Chan CC, Hikita N, Dastgheib K, Whitcup SM, Gery I, Nussenblatt RB. (1994) Experimental melanin protein induced uveitis in the Lewis rat. Ophthalmology. 1994;101:1275-80.
Dastgheib K, Hikita N, Sredni B, Albeck M, Nussenblatt RB. (1994) Ocular Inflammation stimulated by the immunomodulator AS101. Current Eye Res 1994;13:603-10.
Dastgheib K, Green WR. (1994) Granulomatous reaction to Bruch’s membrane in age-related macular degeneration. Arch Opthalmol 1994;112:813-18.
MacCumber MW, Dastgheib K, Bressler NM, Chan CC, Fine SL, Green WR. (1994) Clinicopathologic correlation of the multiple recurrent serosanguineous retinal pigment epithelial detachments syndrome. Retina 1994;14:143-52.
Li Q, Dastgheib K, Luyo D, Egwuagu C, Nussenblatt R, Chan CC. (1994) Expression of transforming growth factor beta1 in experimental melanin protein induced uveitis and experimental autoimmune uveitis. Advances in Ocular Immunology: Nussenblatt RB, Whitcup SM, Caspi RR, Gery I (eds.) 1994 Elsevier Science.
Chan CC, Dastgheib K, Hikita N, Walton C, Nussenblatt RB, Brockhuyse R. (1994) Experimental melanin protein induced uveitis (“EMIU” formerly “EAAU”): Immunopathology, susceptibility and therapy. Advances in Ocular Immunology: Nussenblatt RB, Whitcup SM, Caspi RR, Gery I (eds.) 1994 Elsevier Science. Dastgheib K, Bressler SB, Green WR. (1993) Clinicopathologic correlation of extension of retinal pigment epithelial atrophy after laser treatment of a choroidal neovascular membrane. Retina 1993;13:345-52.

I hope to have another opportunity to see you. In the meantime I am savoring memories of our times together, and also thinking of your year with Dr. Green at Hopkins. He told me you were the best fellow he had in all his years at Hopkins."

Dr. Seymour Dubroff