Dr. Shaun Brierly, MD

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Get to know Ophthalmologist Dr. Shaun Brierly, who serves patients in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

Dr. Brierly is a renowned ophthalmologist whose areas of expertise include cataract surgery, bilateral same day cataract surgery, refractive cataract surgery, dropless cataract surgery, and astigmatism correcting cataract surgery. He founded Copper Eye Surgery in Paradise Valley, Arizona to offer patients the best in cataract surgery with personalized care using the latest high-end equipment.

Copper Eye Surgery is different from other practices because the private pay model allows patients a broad range of options, including dropless cataract surgery, as well as no hidden fees. Leading with experience, skill, and dedication, Dr. Brierly enjoys working with patients with aphasia, dementia, or cognitive disorders who are used to experiencing particular difficulty finding compassionate care. 

Hailing from Iowa and South Dakota, he took advantage of his family’s California relocation to pursue an early research career in marine biology. However, he quickly changed his trajectory to enter the University of California Davis School of Medicine, earning his medical degree in 1999. This, along with an internship in internal medicine at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and a role as Chief Resident during his residency in ophthalmology at the University of California Davis Medical Center, is the foundation for Dr. Brierly’s career today. 

Licensed to practice medicine in California and Arizona, the doctor served as Chief of Ophthalmology at Santa Rosa Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, where he was responsible for a department of 57 full-time staff. A voting member of the Kaiser Santa Rosa Medical Executive Committee, he was also the former Regional Ophthalmology/Optometry Liaison of Northern California, where he coordinated eye care for patients in skilled nursing facilities. He practiced for more than 16 years in Sonoma County’s branch of the San Francisco Bay Area physician group, where he honed his talents and skills to such a degree that he wholeheartedly enjoys and is passionate about tackling the most challenging cataract referrals from his fellow surgeons today.

In his 20+ years of practice, Dr. Brierly has performed many thousands of cataract surgeries. He brings to his practice his experience as a U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps officer in Iraq, where he served as the ophthalmologist responsible for coalition force eye surgery across five Middle Eastern countries.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, he is board-certified in ophthalmology by the American Board of Ophthalmology, an independent, non-profit organization responsible for certifying ophthalmologists in the United States of America. 

Among his professional affiliations, he is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the Association of Independent Doctors, the International Society of Bilateral Cataract Surgeons, the Arizona Medical Association, and the Maricopa County Medical Society. 

With an impressive publication record, including a primary authorship paper with triple-digit citations and a chapter in a book on the history of cornea transplantation with two editions, Dr. Brierly has been impactful in his field. He was awarded the recognition of “Top Doc in Ophthalmology” in 2019 as voted by his peers and designated by Sonoma Magazine.

Ophthalmology is a branch of medicine and surgery, which deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. Ophthalmologists are experts in the diseases, functions, and anatomy of the eye. They may provide routine care such as vision testing, as well as prescribe and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses. However, ophthalmologists are also surgeons. They repair traumatic injuries to the eye and perform cataract, glaucoma, and corneal surgery.

Originally from the Midwest, Dr. Brierly spent 40 years in Northern California before relocating to the Scottsdale and Phoenix area, where night hiking is a pastime and perpetual sunshine allows for dirt bike trail riding with his daughter and sons year-round. He and his family love the desert’s beauty, culture, and incredible natural wonders.

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