Shahem Kawji, MDVitreo-Retinal Surgeon
Dr. Kawji is a board certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained retina specialist and surgeon. He specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the retina, macula, and vitreous.

He performs medical and surgical treatments (including laser surgery) for:

Training For A Retina Specialist

Dr Kawji attended the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston for his Internal Medicine training. Next, he joined the team at Doheny Eye Institute & the University of Southern California (USC) for a clinical research fellowship in Ophthalmology. Subsequently, he was granted a residency in Ophthalmology at the prestigious Indiana University program, one of the largest training programs in the country.

This was followed by a 2-year fellowship in Retina & Vitreous Surgery at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, where he worked with renowned ophthalmologists and retina surgeons and gained extensive experience in medical and surgical retina. Then, Dr Kawji returned to Southern California where he has been in private practice since 2013.

Dr. Kawji is the only retina specialist in Orange County who is double board-certified in Ophthalmology & Internal Medicine. This unique combination enables him to have a better understanding of the overall health of his patients and how different systemic diseases interact with eye health.

Teaches Eye Doctors

Dr. Kawji has given numerous educational presentations and has lectured nationally at scientific meetings and conferences. He has also contributed to various publications on diverse ophthalmic subjects.

Dr. Kawji is well-known among his peers for his advanced surgical skills and has performed thousands of major and minor retina surgeries with excellent results. In addition, he has participated in multiple research trials involving new drugs to treat age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, & retinal vein occlusion.

In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities, tennis, and spending time with his wife & 3 kids. He is fluent in English & Arabic.

Hospital Affiliations

  • Hoag Memorial Hospital, Newport Beach & Irvine CA (Chief of Ophthalmology)
  • Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, Fountain Valley, CA