Dr. Nafiseh Hashemi, MD
Ophthalmologist
5353 Balboa blvd. 110 Encino CA, 91316About
Dr. Nafiseh Hashemi is an ophthalmologist practicing in Encino, CA. Dr. Hashemi specializes in eye and vision care. As an ophthalmologist, Dr. Hashemi can practice medicine as well as surgery. Opthalmologists can perform surgeries because they have their medical degrees along with at least eight years of additional training. Dr. Hashemi can diagnose and treat diseases, perform eye operations and prescribe eye glasses and contacts. Ophthalmologists can also specialize even further in a specific area of eye care.
Education and Training
MD at Iran University of Medical Sciences
University of Houston Ophthalmology Residency 2016
University of Tennessee at Knoxville Surgery internship 2013
Houston Methodist Hospital Neuro-Ophthalmology fellowship 2012
Board Certification
American Board of Ophthalmology
Provider Details
Dr. Nafiseh Hashemi, MD's Expert Contributions
Migraine Headache and Eyes
MigraineMigraine is a neurological condition characterized by headaches that can be severe. It is very common, affecting about 18% of women and 8% of men. Most patients with migraine have throbbing headaches with nausea and vomiting or sensitivity to light and sound. The pain from migraine can last...
My son wants to wear colored lenses. Is it safe?
If it’s prescription contact lenses, the safety profile is the same with clear contact lenses. READ MORE
Why are my eyes watering so much?
Use some artificial tears to help washing out the dirts, if you still have foreign body sensation and tearing, you may see an ophthalmologist to exam your eye for corneal foreign body and ulcer. READ MORE
Even after my cataract surgery, I have hazy vision. Why?
You might have some residual corneal edema, continue your drops. READ MORE
How is glaucoma usually treated?
The treatments are quite varied based on the type of glaucoma and severity of the glaucoma. He may start drops versus laser treatment. If the eye pressure didn’t decrease despite drops and laser, he may need surgery. READ MORE
What can be done for cataracts?
Unfortunately, the only available treatment for cataract is surgery. The surgery is standard, but there are a variety of options for intro-ocular lens that replaces the cataracted lens. READ MORE
What is wrong with my eye?
Most probably you have severe dry eye and pinguecula. You need to have treatment of dry eye with high quality drops like Restasis and Xiidra, lubricants for nights and treatment of blepharitis if you have. See an ophthalmologist for help. READ MORE
Why are my eyes so sensitive to bright light?
One of the most common reasons for having light sensitivity is dry eye. Make sure to treat the dry eye. There are the other reasons such as having migraine, having inflammation in the eye, scattering of the light due to cataract. READ MORE
Bilateral cataract surgery
Any surgery carries risk of inflammation and infection. Infection during cataract surgery can cause blindness. It is not wise to do both eyes at the same time. If there is any infection in the operation room, you may lose both eyes at the same time. READ MORE
My sister's baby has been diagnosed with infant cataract. Is this curable?
Congenital cataract needs surgery in the first few months of life, unless it's very small and does not affect the vision. Use of glasses or contacts after surgery is essential to prevent lazy eye. READ MORE
Is chlorine exposure bad for the eyes?
Chlorine may cause irritation and redness in the eye but usually does not cause any long term problems. You may consider using goggles during swimming and some allergy drops after. READ MORE
When should I get my daughter's first eye checkup done?
The best time for the first eye exam for kids is before the age of 2. If everything was good on the exam and she did not need any glasses, then she may need an exam every 2-3 years after. READ MORE
What is the treatment for diabetic eye disease?
The best treatment is better control of diabetes. Based on what your doctor is seeing in her eye, she may need injection of some medicine into her eyes (to treat macular edema) or laser over her retina (to treat hemorrhage and growth of abnormal blood vessels). READ MORE
My mother often complains of itchiness and stickiness in eyes. What is the remedy for this?
Most probably, she has blepharitis (inflammation of the lid margin) and dry eye syndrome. Have her wash her eyelids with baby shampoo, do the gentle massage with warm towel over the eyelids. If she didn't get better she would need some treatment with antibiotics/ steroids ointments. READ MORE
Are there any risks involved with a LASIK surgery?
There are risks involved with any kind of surgery, including LASIK surgery. Your doctor will stratify your surgery risk based on your eye exam. Your intra-operative risks include free flap and button hole or wrinkled flap. Post-operative risks include immune reaction, infection, etc. Like any other surgery, you need to be aware of the risks, but you may consider them uncommon or unlikely. READ MORE
How can I protect my eyes while working in front of the computer for close to 8 hours a day?
Use 20/20/20 rules. Every 20 minutes look at 20F for 20 seconds. Use some tears if you feel dry,... READ MORE
Are colored lenses safe for your eyes?
Make sure to use a safe brand, clean them properly, and don't sleep with them. Take it out when taking shower or swimming or when you feel irritated by them. See a doctor immediately with any eye pain, redness, or blurry vision. READ MORE
How long is the recovery from a cataract surgery?
The recovery of uncomplicated cataract surgery is very quick, after one week the patient should be able to go back to normal activity and vision should have been improved. Sometimes the patient get some blurriness from the drops that she is using or from dry eye after surgery, which should improved within a month. READ MORE
Do eye cosmetics cause blindness?
Using eye cosmetics cannot cause blindness. It may cause blepharitis (inflammation or infection of the eyelid), which may cause burning, itching, and irritation, but generally does not have an effect on the vision. READ MORE
Can being in the sun without UV protection harm my eyes?
Sun is damaging to the eye instructions including: eyelid skin cancers, pterygium, corneal damage from UV exposure, Cataract, retinal damage and macular degeneration. Using sunglasses with 100% UV protection is highly recommended. READ MORE
My mother's eyes always seem red. What could be the reason?
Severe dry eye may cause redness. There are other reasons for a red eye, including inflammation and infection, pterygium, etc. She should have an eye exam. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Ophthalmology
- North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
- American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Treatments
- Cataract surgery, Glaucoma treatment, optic nerve disease
Fellowships
- Houston Methodist Hospital
Professional Society Memberships
- North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology
Articles and Publications
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
1. Malaria retinopathy and cerebellitis in a 9 year-old boy in the United States. Hashemi N, Callon LM, Kumar KS. J AAPOS. 2015 Feb; 19(1):87-91.
2.Transarterial Onyx embolization of an orbital solitary tumor. Nafiseh Hashemi, Jeanie Di Ling, Mirwat S. Sami, Andrew G. Lee, Patricia Chevez-barios. J ocul oncol pathol. 2015;1:98-102
Visual Hallucination (Charles Bonnet Syndrome) associated with Neurosarcoidosis. Zhang J, Waisberen E, Hashemi N, Lee AG. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2013 Oct-Dec; 20(4):369-71
4. Neuroimaging in ophthalmology. Kim JD, Hashemi N, Gelman R, Lee AG. Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2012 Oct; 26(4):401-7. doi: 10.1016/j.sjopt. 2012.07.001.
5. Late-onset Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.
Pfeiffer ML, Hashemi N, Foroozan R, Lee AG.
Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2013 Sep-Oct; 41(7): 690-3. doi: 10.1111/ ceo.12091.
PMID: 234334376. Radiographic evidence for denervation atrophy of extraocular muscles due to chronic intracavernous compressive third nerve palsy.Hashemi N, Pfeiffer ML, Foroozan R, Lee AG.
Can J Ophthalmol. 2013 Feb; 48(1):4-6.
PMID: 23419317. Bilateral Progressive Vision Loss in Noninfectious HIV Retinopathy without Infectious Retinitis.
Zhang J, Hashemi N, Lee AG.
J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2012 Jul;7(3):268-70.PMID: 23264871
8. Spontaneous Resolution of Optic Perineuritis.Tung C, Hashemi N, Lee AG.
J Neuro-Ophthalmol. 2013 Mar; 33(1):93-95.
PMID: 232475623.
9. Complications of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.Yang L, Hashemi N, Lee AG.
Can J Ophthalmol. 2012 Dec; 47(6):53-5.
PMID: 2321752010. Visual hallucinations: a review for ophthalmologistsHashemi N, Scranton RA, Hashemi M, Lee AG. Expert Review of
Ophthalmology. 2012 Oct; 7(5):471-479.
11. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute Unilateral Optic Neuropathies in Adults. Ali S, Hashemi N, Pau D, Haykal H, Lee AG. Neuro- Ophthalmology. 2012 Oct; 36:180-185
12. A Pox upon Your House.
Hashemi N, Zhang J, Volpi J, Lee AG, Gordon LK.
Surv Ophthalmol. 2012 Nov 8. doi:pii: S0039-6257(12)00105-1. 10.1016/ j.survophthal.2012.05.005.
PMID: 23141433
13. Throat pain as a presenting symptom of giant cell arteritis.Ling JD, Hashemi N, Lee AG.
J Neuroophthalmol. 2012 Dec; 32(4):384.
PMID: 2304178914. Visual hallucinations (Charles Bonnet syndrome) as the presenting sign of pituitary adenoma.
Hashemi N, Zhang J, Gelman R, Lee AG.
Can J Ophthalmol. 2012 Jun; 47(3):5-6.PMID: 22687320
15. Leber hereditary optic neuropathy mimicking thyroid-related optic neuropathy.
Hashemi N, Yalamanchili SS, Zhang J, Lee AG.
J Neuroophthalmol. 2012 Mar; 32(1):95-6.PMID: 22330857
16. Double vision and ptosis.
Hashemi N, Lee AG.
ATPO Viewpoints Magazine/spring 2012; 17-18
17. Bitemporal hemianopia.
Gelman R, Hashemi N, Lee AG.
ATPO Viewpoints Magazine/spring 2012; 15-16
18. Nonarteritic optic neuropathy in a young patient.Zhang J, Hashemi N, Lee AG.
ATPO Viewpoints Magazine/spring 2012; 19-2019. Sub-tenon atracurium injection in rabbit eyes;a histopathologic study.
Hashemi N, Shomali S, Heyrani-Moghaddam H, Amini S, Izadi S.
J Ophthalmic Vis Res. 2009 Jan; 4(1):35-9. PMID: 2305667220. Comparison of the effect of amniotic membrane suspension and autologous serum on alkaline corneal epithelial wound healing in the rabbit model. Shahriari HA, Tokhmehchi F, Reza M, Hashemi N.
Cornea. 2008 Dec; 27(10):1148-50. PMID: 1903413021. Injection of Mitomycin-C in nasolacrimal duct for the treatment of partial nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
Hashemi N, Zanjani H, Heshmatipour B.
Bina Journal of Ophthalmology. 2005 Mar; 10(2): 221-225.BOOK:
Nafiseh Hashemi, Andrew Lee. Chapter of Neuro-Ophthalmic complications of cataract surgery, Dennis P. Han ??Cataract Surgery and Retinal Disease: Optimizing Visual Outcome?, published by Bryn Mawr Communications LLC, 2013
What do you attribute your success to?
I am a goal oriented person (I make a goal and move toward it with positive attitude).
I work hard and never give up, learn from the past, and always look forward to the bigger achievement.
I use every opportunity I get to improve myself as a physician.
Areas of research
- Nerve fiber layer thinning in migraine patients and its correlationwith severity of the disease. 2015-present
Philanthropic Initiatives
During her years teaching and working in Zahedan, Iran , a impoverished town in the eastern border of Iran, Dr. Hashemi would provide free healthcare to the needy. She would collaberate with the United Nations to treat Afghani refugees.
Teaching and speaking
Dr. Hashemi has an educational live TV program in a Persian channel which is broadcasted in and outside of the U.S. This weekly TV show is serving the Persian community in Farsi. She is teaching about eye diseases in understandable language. The audience may call in the second half of the show to get medical advice about their eye disease.
Dr. Hashemi used to teach ophthalmology residents and medical students between 2004-2009 before immigrating to the United States. During her second ophthalmology residency in the University of Texas at Houston, she takes great satisfaction out of teaching medical students as well as using her experience to help the other ophthalmology residents in complicated cases.
Poster Presentation
1. Hashemi N, Billah S, Alava I, Conderman CP, Supsupin EP, Asdesina OO. Nothing to spit at. Poster 1, NANOS Annual Meeting, Tuscan, AZ, February 29th, 20162. Hashemi N, Lee AG, Coburn A, Chevez-Barrios, Selouan R. Amaurosis fugax due to carotid body tumor. Poster 165, NANOS Annual Meeting, San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 4, 2014.
3. Hashemi N, Tokhmechi M. (2007, December). Healing of Corneal Wound with Aminiotic Membrane Solution in Rabbit. Poster presented at: 17th International congress of ophthalmology; Tehran, Iran
4. Hashemi N, Shomali S. (2006, December). The Evaluation of Pathologic Effect of Atracurium in Subtenon Injection for Ophthalmic Regional Anesthesia in Rabbit. Poster presented at: 16th International congress of ophthalmology; Tehran, Iran
Hobbies / Sports
- Hiking, Swimming
Favorite professional publications
- Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology
Areas of research
Migraine and the eyeDr. Nafiseh Hashemi, MD's Practice location
Encino, CA 91316Get Direction
Dr. Nafiseh Hashemi, MD's reviews
Write ReviewPatient Experience with Dr. Hashemi
- Roghieh
She is the best !
- Isabelle
Absolutely love this doctor and I have seen at least 20 different doctors in 2018. She really listened to me, had compassion, and gave support aside from being EXTREMELY knowledgable and kind. Even though she is a specialist, I felt as if she treated me my overall health. INCREDIBLE DOCTOR and I come from a family of doctors so I can recognize a good one when I see one. I can't say enough good things about her.
- Lisi
Dr. Hashemi is one of the best Neuro Ophthalmologist in Encino.Also, she has the nicest staff I've ever seen.
- Susan
Love this doctor & her staff!!
- Deborah
The office staff are extremely kind,pleasant and professional and Dr.Hashemi is amazing. I highly recommend this incredible Doctor
Incredible caring and thorough. Very smart and articulate. Wonderful bedside manner
- Adriana
Love coming here staff is very friendly and Doctor is great very informative. Wait time is good service is excellent
- Tony
Like how she is straightforward with how everything was set out on the cd. Love the friendliest ladies.
- Nancy
Wonderful staff, the dr is so great. She spends a long time going over EVERY possibility to get to your needs. Very comfortable. Highly recommend!!! ,
Attentive and kind. Felt like my eyes were in good hands.
- Christine
Wonderful care and attention to detail, along with friendly staff.
- Bella
Dr is very professional, photo exam stated her opinions clearly , very supportive of patient. Support staff is very well trained and know ledge able and help dr order . Thank you Dr answered all questions in a clear way with details.
- Guadalupe
Dr Hashemi is an excellent Doctor, I was very pleased with the surgery and pre.up and post up. I would recommend her highly
Dr. Hashemi is the best! Smart, kind, professional. Highly recommend her.
- Anaid
Dr. Hashemi is great ! First time I went into her office was super ! I was greeted by a friendly and courteous staff ! And Dr Hashemi was very friendly and explained everything she was doing step by step , and she was very knowledgable ! First Impression , I really liked her a lot and she gave me answers that I haven't gotten in the past ! Thumbs up to Dr.'s like this !
- Lillian
She is excellent. She explained everything thoroughly and answered all questions we had. I would recommend her to anyone with vision issues due to neurological problems.
- Tony
Dr. Hashemi is fantastic. She is caring and never rushes you. She was always able to explain what I needed to know and I always felt I was in good hands
- Iris
Very thorough and attentive
- Stacy
She is the best
- David
Dr Hashemi is one of the best doctor in Encino.She is my favorite doctor because she is knows more than the other doctors she is high educated.The staff in her office was really nice and friendly they explain everything clear.I would recommend you if your looking for Neuro ophthalmologist she is number one in Encino.
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