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Education

  • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), Old Westbury, NYMay 2018
  • Master of Science (MS), Neuromusculoskeletal ScienceNew York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM), Old Westbury, NYDecember 2016
  • Bachelor of Science, NeuroscienceNortheastern University, Boston, MA2011
  • Secondary EducationThe Governor's Academy, Byfield, MA

Medical Training

  • Fellowship, Oculofacial Plastic, Reconstructive & Orbital SurgeryAmerican Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS), NY Combined Program, New York, NYJuly 2022 – June 2024
  • Residency, OphthalmologyNew England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MAJuly 2018 – July 2022
  • Internship, Transitional YearTufts Medical Center & Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, Boston, MAJuly 2018 – June 2019

Academic Appointments

  • Assistant Professor, Department of OphthalmologyDonald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellJuly 2025 – present
  • Instructor in Clinical OphthalmologyWeill Cornell Medicine, Department of OphthalmologyJuly 2022 – June 2024
  • Clinical Instructor in OphthalmologyNYU Langone Health, Department of OphthalmologyJuly 2022 – June 2024
  • Clinical Instructor in OphthalmologyBellevue Hospital / NYC Health and HospitalsJuly 2022 – June 2024

Clinical & Professional Experience

  • Director, Oculofacial Plastic SurgeryNorthwell Health, Manhattan, NYJuly 2024 – present
  • Consultant, Gene Therapy, Thyroid Eye DiseaseKriya TherapeuticsJune 2024 – present
  • Consultant, Medical EducationMcGraw-Hill, New York, NYNovember 2015 – January 2018
  • Clinical Research CoordinatorOphthalmic Consultants of Boston, Boston, MAJanuary 2013 – August 2014
  • Ophthalmic Technician, Procedural Assistant & ScribeNew England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MAJune 2010 – January 2012
  • Optometric TechnicianNewton Eye P.C., Wellesley, MAJune 2009 – January 2010

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

  1. Suri K, Coombs A. Late sequelae of facial fat grafting: periorbital mass. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2026:1-3.
  2. Shabto J, Shteyman A, Stevens S, Coombs A, Gregerson C, Kassotis A, Godfrey KJ, Kazim M. Relapse versus rebound in thyroid eye disease after teprotumumab treatment: a retrospective case series. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2026;32(1):1-8. doi:10.1097/IOP.0000000000003192
  3. Shteyman A, Gregerson CH, Stevens S, Tran AQ, Coombs A, Tooley AA, Kazim M. Preoperative orbital compliance as a predictor for outcomes of fat decompression in thyroid eye disease. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2026. [In press].
  4. Schmuter G, Polo RN, Stevens S, Gregerson CH, Coombs A, Heinze K, et al. Orbital apex-like syndrome with multiple cranial neuropathies secondary to chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Orbit. 2026;45(1):155-160. doi:10.1080/01676830.2025.2562356
  5. Austria QM, Stevens S, Coombs A, Lelli G, Schwartz TH, Godfrey KJ. Ophthalmic outcomes of transorbital endoscopic skull base surgery. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025. [In press].
  6. Austria QM, Stevens SM, Coombs A, Lelli GJ, Schwartz TH, Godfrey KJ. Evolution of globe position over time following lateral transorbital approaches to the middle cranial fossa. J Neurol Surg B Skull Base. 2025;86(S01):S302.
  7. Kassotis A, Coombs A, Matari N, Lignelli A, Kazim M. Reply re: "The algorithmic role of critical radiographic features in the treatment of angioinvasive fungal sinusitis." Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025;41(3):353.
  8. Kassotis A, Stevens S, Coombs A, Yu S, Kazim M. Customized Jones tube insertion in the management of a recurrent, deep orbital epidermoid cyst. Orbit. 2025;44(4):430-432. doi:10.1080/01676830.2024.2407838
  9. Labkovich M, Coombs AV. Orbital necrotizing fasciitis: a comprehensive review of diagnosis and management. Curr Surg Rep. 2025;13(1):40.
  10. Shabto JM, Coombs A, Stevens S, Adapa A, Overdevest JB, Youngerman B, Kazim M. Intraosseous venous malformation of the frontal bone with extension into the frontal sinus and orbit. Orbit. 2025;44(2):223-227.
  11. Kassotis A, Coombs A, Matari N, Lignelli A, Kazim M. The algorithmic role of critical radiographic features in the treatment of angioinvasive fungal sinusitis. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025;41(1):1-7.
  12. Shabto JM, Shteyman AR, Kazim M, Stevens S, Coombs A. Orbital inflammatory disease as a presenting symptom of generalized lipodystrophy in a young female. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025;41(2):e54-e56. doi:10.1097/IOP.0000000000002823
  13. Friedman R, Coombs AV, Stevens S, Lisman RD, Chiu ES. Complete vision recovery after filler-induced blindness using hyperbaric oxygen therapy: case report and literature review. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2024;6:ojae036. doi:10.1093/asjof/ojae036
  14. Kazim M, Weiss ME, Coombs AV, Yu S, Li CY. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma arising from a cystic brow mass. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024;40(5):e152-e154.
  15. Austria QM, Coombs AV, North VS, Garcia MD, Lee AY, Segal KL, et al. Orbital volume and globe position changes following orbital bone removal surgery. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2023;64(8):4065.
  16. Nanda T, Coombs A, Shi A, Baumal CR. Macular findings in carriers of ocular albinism with a novel GPR143 mutation. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2022;53(8):460-463. doi:10.3928/23258160-20220713-03
  17. Yao S, Mikhail N, Koutsouras G, Coombs A, Terzella MJ. Osteopathic considerations in the infections of the respiratory tract. Osteopathic Family Physician. 2017;9(1).

Book Chapters

  • Hyder S, Coombs A, Godfrey KJ. The orbital and oculoplastic surgery perspective. In: Endoscopic Transorbital Surgery of the Orbit, Skull Base and Brain. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2024.
  • Coombs AV, Reichel E. Ocular disorders. In: Busby-Whitehead J, Durso SC, Arenson C, Elon R, Palmer MH, Reichel W, eds. Reichel's Care of the Elderly: Clinical Aspects of Aging. Cambridge University Press; 2022:524-535.

Online Resources / Educational Media

  • Madu C, Stevens S, Coombs A, Alzaga Fernandez AG, Godfrey KJ, Lelli G, Yen MT, Schmuter G. Lotilaner. EyeWiki. American Academy of Ophthalmology. Updated June 15, 2026. https://eyewiki.org/Lotilaner

Ocular Surgery News Case Reports

  • Coombs AV, Athappilly G. Elderly woman presents with presumed orbital cellulitis. Ocul Surg News. 2021.
  • Coombs A, Vuong L. Venous sinus thrombosis. Ocul Surg News. 2021.
  • Coombs A, Rao N. Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis. Ocul Surg News. 2021.
  • Coombs A, Yoo S. Cavernous sinus meningioma. Ocul Surg News. 2021.

Research

Fellowship Thesis

Coombs AV, Lelli G, Callahan A. Compressive dysthyroid optic neuropathy treated with teprotumumab. ASOPRS Fellowship Thesis; accepted May 2023.

Clinical Research Trials

Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Boston, MA. Principal Investigator: Michael B. Raizman, MD

  • Safety and Efficacy Study of Corneal Collagen Cross-linking in Eyes with Keratoconus (KXL-001, KXL-003)
  • Safety and Efficacy of Corneal Collagen Cross-linking Following LASIK for Treatment of Hyperopia and Hyperopic Astigmatism (KXL-004), FDA-Approved
  • Cornea Preservation Time Study (CPTS), Published
  • ACOS: A Multi-Center, Randomized, Controlled Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of the KXL System with VibeX (Riboflavin Ophthalmic Solution) for Corneal Cross-Linking in Eyes with Keratoconus or Corneal Ectasia After Refractive Surgery
  • A Prospective, Multi-Center, Randomized, Double-Masked, Positive-Controlled Phase 3 Clinical Trial Designed to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Iontophoretic Dexamethasone Phosphate Ophthalmic Solution Compared to Prednisolone Acetate Ophthalmic Suspension (1%) in Patients with Non-Infectious Anterior Segment Uveitis (EGP-437-004), Non-inferiority demonstrated
  • Clinical Evaluation of ReSure Sealant for Sealing Corneal Incisions in Patients Undergoing Clear Corneal Cataract Surgery: A Pivotal Study (OTX-11-002)
  • Clinical Evaluation of Nepafenac Ophthalmic Suspension, 0.3% Compared to Nepafenac Ophthalmic Suspension 0.1% and Vehicle for Prevention and Treatment of Ocular Inflammation and Pain Associated with Cataract Surgery (C-11-003)
  • Clinical Investigation of AcrySof® IOL ReSTOR® Multifocal Toric Intraocular Lens Model SND1T2 (C-09-035)
  • Implantable Miniature Telescopic Lens, Centrasight Post-Marketing Evaluation of IMT Technology in End-Stage Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Basic Science Research

Research Assistant, Neurophysiology and Behavior Biomimetics LabNortheastern University College of Science; 2011–2012Principal Investigator: Joseph Ayers, PhDConstructed biomimetic robotic arm using nitinol actuator construction; programmed robotic arm using LabVIEW software.

Presentations, Lectures & Teaching

Invited Lectures & Grand Rounds

  • Coombs A. Stryker NYC Skull Base Course. Northwell Health; September 2026; New York, NY.
  • Coombs A. Orbital and lacrimal pathology resident didactic lecture. ENT Department, Hofstra University; June 2026.
  • Coombs A. Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: research and real life experience. Columbia Irving Medical Center; June 2026.
  • Coombs A. Northwell Endocrinology Grand Rounds: thyroid eye disease. Northwell Health; February 2026.
  • Coombs A. AIFS in NYC: angioinvasive fungal rhino-orbital sinusitis, current diagnostic approach, management, and improved mortality. Winter Oculoplastic Symposium; March 2025; Big Sky, MT.
  • Coombs A. Thyroid eye disease. Invited podium lecture at: American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting; 2025; Orlando, FL.
  • Coombs A. "It's time to get a job": current state of the ophthalmology job market. Invited lecture at: Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology; 2024, 2025, June 2026.
  • Coombs A. "Under pressure": the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in oculofacial plastic surgery. New York Oculoplastic and Orbital Society; November 2023.
  • Coombs A. Orbital and periocular trauma. Weill Cornell Ophthalmology Lecture Series; November 2023.
  • Coombs A. Utility of hyperbaric oxygen in ophthalmology. NYU Oculoplastics and Hospital Development Meeting; November 2023.
  • Coombs A. "It hurts, but it's numb": cemiplimab in invasive orbital squamous cell carcinoma. New York Oculoplastic and Orbital Society; October 2023.
  • Coombs A. Orbital and facial necrotizing fasciitis. Northwell Ophthalmology Grand Rounds; May 2023.

Courses, Wet Labs & Skills Training

  • Coombs A. Advanced Oculoplastics Wet Lab. Northwell Health Oculoplastic/Ophthalmology Department; July 2026.
  • Coombs A. Neuroplastic and reconstructive surgery wet lab, Northwell Health; April 2026.
  • Coombs A. Faculty, Basic and Clinical Science Course in Ophthalmology (BCSC). Columbia University; January 2026, February 2025.
  • Coombs A. Faculty, BCSC Orbit and Oculoplastic Pathology. Northwell Health Ophthalmology Residency; 2025.
  • Coombs A. Faculty, BCSC Orbital Tumors. Columbia University Medical Center; 2024.
  • Coombs A. Faculty, Endoscopic Surgery Course. Columbia University; June 2024, 2026.
  • Coombs A. NYU Ophthalmology Oculoplastic suture wet lab. NYU Department of Ophthalmology; August 2023.
  • Coombs A. Weill Cornell resident education suture wet lab. Weill Cornell Medicine; July 2023.
  • Coombs A. Emergency Room Ophthalmology 101. Tufts Medical Center; May 2019; Boston, MA.

Conference Podium Presentations

  • Austria QM, Stevens S, Coombs A, Godfrey KJ, Schwartz TH. Globe position following transorbital neuroendoscopic surgery in patients with sphenoid wing meningiomas. Podium presentation at: American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Fall Scientific Symposium; 2025.
  • Austria QM, Coombs A, Stevens S, Lelli GJ, Schwartz TH, Godfrey KJ. Volumetric analysis of orbital osteotomies in transorbital neurosurgical approaches and effect on globe position. Podium presentation at: American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Fall Scientific Symposium; October 2024; Chicago, IL.
  • Austria QM, Stevens S, Coombs A, Lelli GJ, Schwartz TH, Godfrey KJ. Evolution of globe position over time following lateral transorbital approaches to the middle cranial fossa. North American Skull Base Society Annual Meeting; February 2025; New Orleans, LA.
  • Matari N, Coombs A, Kassotis A, Kazim M, Lignelli A. Watch the flow! An overview of orbital vascular anomalies. Podium presentation at: American Society of Neuroradiology Annual Meeting; May 2023.
  • Austria QM, Coombs AV, North VS, Garcia MD, Lee AYJ, Segal KL, Lelli GJ, Godfrey KJ. Orbital volume and globe position change following orbital bone removal surgery. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; April 2023; New Orleans, LA.
  • Coombs AV, Jung MK, Raizman MB. Accelerated pulsed-light crosslinking for keratoconus: one-year outcomes. American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) Annual Meeting; April 2018.

Conference Poster Presentations

  • Coombs A. Indication for orbital floor reconstruction in silent sinus syndrome: a systematic review. Women in Ophthalmology (WIO) Annual Meeting; 2026; Monterey, CA.
  • Coombs A, Lanzo M, Dai Y, Garcia M, Joshi N, Maher E, Godfrey KJ, Lelli G. Orbital necrotizing fasciitis case series. American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ASOPRS) Fall Scientific Symposium; 2023.
  • Austria QM, Coombs A, Garcia M, North VS, Godfrey KJ. Orbital volume and globe position change following orbital bone removal surgery. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Annual Meeting; September 2023.
  • Coombs A. Invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompetent elderly female. North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society (NANOS) Annual Meeting; March 2020. [Accepted; meeting canceled due to COVID-19].
  • Coombs A. Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis: successful management with systemic pentamidine, miltefosine, voriconazole, and prednisone. World Cornea Congress; 2020; Boston, MA. [Accepted; meeting canceled due to COVID-19].
  • Coombs A, Piccione M, Abu-Sbaih R. Alleviation of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in an obstetric patient with osteopathic manipulation: a case report. [Poster presentation]; 2018.
  • Coombs A, Jung MK, Abu-Sbaih R. Parkinson's disease epidemiology: an exploration of cumulative lifetime trauma and the implications of exposure to manual therapeutic systems. [Poster presentation]; 2018.
  • Coombs A. Neonatal plagiocephaly and metatarsus adductus. 2nd place. American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) Convocation; March 2017; Colorado Springs, CO.
  • Coombs A. How effective are selection methods in medical education? A systematic review. [Poster presentation]; March 2016.

Ophthalmology Residency Grand Rounds

New England Eye Center, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA

  • Coombs A. COVID-associated ophthalmic disease: invasive sinusitis and superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis. January 2022.
  • Coombs A. Fulminant idiopathic intracranial hypertension and the influence of malignant hypertension. February 2021.
  • Coombs A. "Chalazion woes": the case for transitioning from intralesional Kenalog to dexamethasone and 5-FU for chalazion; department-wide safety and cost analysis. 2021.
  • Coombs A. Ocular albinism carrier: a family cohort. October 2021.
  • Coombs A. Improving ophthalmic care in the Tufts ER via formalized education of midlevel providers and physicians. September 2020.
  • Coombs A. CRAO and utility of TPA and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. February 2020.
  • Coombs A. Acanthamoeba sclerokeratitis. February 2020.
  • Coombs A. Invasive aspergillosis. November 2019.
  • Coombs A. Acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE). December 2019.
  • Coombs A. Dural venous sinus thrombosis. December 2019.
  • Coombs A. Dysthyroid optic neuropathy. April 2020.
  • Coombs A. Choroidal Effusion Syndrome. June 2020.
  • Coombs A. Invasive orbital squamous cell carcinoma. September 2020.

Medical Student Lectures

NYITCOM, Old Westbury, NY

  • Coombs A. Conjunctivitis: a systematic review for primary care physicians. NYITCOM; April 2019.
  • Coombs A. Mastering the boards. NYITCOM; December 2016.
  • Coombs A. Human subjects research and protections: IRB, HIPAA, informed consent and history of clinical research. NYITCOM; November 2016.
  • Coombs A. Stanley Schiowitz Case Competition: plagiocephaly in the neonate. 1st place; October 2016.
  • Coombs A. Time allocation and scheduling in first year medical students: does teaching students how to properly allocate time lead to better outcomes with school, mental health and relaxation? Medical Education Seminar, NYITCOM; September 2016.
  • Coombs A. Collagen crosslinking for keratoconus. NYITCOM; September 2016.

Medical School Clinical Rotation Case Conferences

Brookdale Hospital Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY

  • Coombs A. Pediatric hematology/oncology and anatomic abnormalities. August 2018.
  • Coombs A. Hypercalcemia. Queens Hospital Center; March 2017; Queens, NY.
  • Coombs A. Recurrent GBS disease in the neonate. Brookdale Hospital; March 2017.
  • Coombs A. Neonatal sepsis. Brookdale Hospital; March 2017.
  • Coombs A. Neonatal and congenital infections. Brookdale Hospital; April 2016.
  • Coombs A. Prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. Brookdale Hospital; April 2016.
  • Coombs A. Female reproductive physiology. Brookdale Hospital; March 2016.
  • Coombs A. Zika virus infection with prolonged maternal viremia and fetal brain abnormalities. Brookdale Hospital; November 2016.
  • Coombs A. Pressors, inotropic agents and receptors. NYU Lutheran Medical Center; November 2015; Brooklyn, NY.
  • Coombs A. Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. NYU Lutheran Medical Center; December 2015; Brooklyn, NY.
  • Coombs A. Trauma, epidural, and subdural hematomas. NYU Lutheran Medical Center; November 2015; Brooklyn, NY.
  • Coombs A. Magnesium sulfate for prevention of cerebral palsy. Brookdale Hospital; October 2015; Brooklyn, NY.

Teaching Experience

Academic Appointments

  • Assistant Professor, Department of OphthalmologyDonald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/NorthwellJuly 2025 – present
  • Instructor in Clinical OphthalmologyWeill Cornell Medicine, Department of OphthalmologyJuly 2022 – June 2024
  • Clinical Instructor in OphthalmologyNYU Langone Health, Department of OphthalmologyJuly 2022 – June 2024
  • Clinical Instructor in OphthalmologyBellevue Hospital / NYC Health and HospitalsJuly 2022 – June 2024

Course Faculty

  • Faculty, Basic and Clinical Science Course in Ophthalmology (BCSC)Columbia UniversityFebruary 2025, January 2026
  • Faculty, Endoscopic Surgery CourseColumbia UniversityJune 2024, 2026
  • Faculty, Emergency Room CMETufts Medical Center, Boston, MAMay 2019

Medical School Teaching

NYITCOM, Old Westbury, NY

  • Chief Academic Medicine Scholar, Lab2016–2017
  • Cadaver Dissection Instructor, Gross Anatomy LabPro-section demonstrations / Lead Scholar2016
  • Instructor, Neuroanatomy2016
  • Instructor, Doctor-Patient Relationship Workshops1st and 2nd year medical studentsJanuary–May 2016
  • Instructor, CME for OMT Board PrepResidents and AttendingsMarch 30, 2016
  • Instructor, OMT Lab Lead / Pod InstructorMarch, April, August, September, December 2016
  • Leader, Basic Physical Exam Skills WorkshopMarch 2015

Professional Development

  • Resident as Teacher CourseBoston, MAAugust 2018
  • Academic Medicine Scholars ProgramNYITCOM, Old Westbury, NY

Community Outreach & Education

  • "Adopt-A-Class": Nutrition and HealthP.S. 52, New York, NYSeptember 2014
  • Residency Panel for Undergraduate Medical StudentsAmerican Medical Women's Association, Old Westbury, NYMarch 2018

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