Patient Focused
Brian Shafer, MD is kind, caring, and respectful of all patients. He thrives on personal connections with other humans and it is evident from the moment he walks into the room. As a patient, you can anticipate his utmost attention as he methodically and meticulously determines what your goals are and how he can best guide you to them. Most of all, Dr. Shafer is available. He does not rest until he takes you across the finish line, and he will let you know that he is there every step of the way. Dr. Shafer entered medicine to help provide meaningful improvements in quality of life. As an eye surgeon, he is honored to be able to deliver on this daily.
Committed to Excellence
After finishing at Upper Dublin High School in Montgomery County, PA, Dr. Shafer went to the University of Rochester where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Molecular Genetics. While there, he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honors society. After college, he returned home to Philadelphia to complete medical school at Temple University School of Medicine. As a student, he ran the Medible Learning Garden with the core mission of providing education on gardening, urban food scarcity, and the history of modern pharmacology to local members of the North Philadelphia community. He was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, reserved for the top 10% of the class, as well as the Gold Humanism Honor Society, reserved for those who exemplify humanistic behavior.
Phi Beta Kappa (2012)
Alpha Omega Alpha (2016)
Gold Humanism Honor Society (2016)
Presenter Award (First Place), Atlantic Coast Retina Conference (2018)
NEI Travel Grant, ARVO 2019
Hot Topic Poster, ARVO 2019
Medical Student Teaching Award, Scheie Eye Institute (2016)
Winning Pitch Challenge, Honorable Mention (2020)
Image of the Month, Corneal Physician (2021)
Best Paper of Session, ASCRS 2021
Research Contest Winner, Interventional Glaucoma Congress 2021
One to Watch: MillennialEye (2022)
Castle Connolly Top Doctors: One to Watch (2022)
Rising Star: Rising Eye Stars (2022)
Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2023)
High Achieving
Advanced Education
Brian Shafer, MD spent a year at the historic Pennsylvania Hospital doing Internal Medicine before completing his residency at the University of Pennsylvania, Scheie Eye Institute. While there, he was selected as Chief Resident and was awarded the Medical Student Teaching Award at graduation. After completing his residency, Dr. Shafer spent an extra year of fellowship in Cornea, Refractive, Glaucoma, and Complex Cataract Surgery at Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Vance Thompson Vision is the highest surgical volume fellowship in the country. While there, he completed thousands of vision-correcting procedures while learning from Vance Thompson, one of the first people in the world to perform LASIK and PRK, and John Berdahl, a pioneer in modern cornea and glaucoma surgery. As a dual fellowship trained cornea and glaucoma surgeon, Dr. Shafer is able to take on the most advanced cases in the city of Philadelphia.
Trusted Experience
After returning home, Dr. Shafer practiced in Malvern, PA for close to 2 years. In that short time, he became the city’s largest implanter of premium intraocular lenses at the time of cataract surgery and was the only surgeon in Chester County performing advanced corneal transplants and cataract surgery revisions. Dr. Shafer earned a quick reputation in the community for being patient-focused, available, and a skilled surgeon. He opened Shafer Vision Institute to continue his mission of providing university caliber care in an efficient, available, private practice setting.
Nationally Recognized
Dr. Shafer is nationally recognized as an expert in cataract surgery technology, partial thickness corneal transplants, drug delivery for glaucoma, and laser vision correction (LASIK). He publishes peer-reviewed literature, takes part in clinical trials, and maintains a consistent emphasis on staying on the front edge of technology. Additionally, Dr. Shafer maintains active membership and participation within the AAO, ASCRS, Cornea Society, AECOS, AGS, RSA, and ISRS, all professional organizations committed to furthering the specialty of Ophthalmology.
Academically Appointed
Dr. Shafer is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania and well as Clinical Assistant Professor (Adjunct) and Head of Cornea at Temple University Hospital. He is committed to educating the next generation of Ophthalmologists.
Family Oriented
Dr. Shafer is passionate about ophthalmology, and the only thing he loves more is his family. His wife, Morgan, is a veterinarian in Philadelphia. Together, they have a son Devin, 3 cats, and a Mexican Hairless dog. Dr. Shafer is an avid gardener and spends as much of his free time as possible fishing with his dad. If you are looking for the best vet in the city, look no further as the other Dr. Shafer would be happy to care for you!
Dr. Shafer Can’t Wait to Meet You!
Feel free to check out his resume below
Specialty Surgery at SVI
Refractive
Surgery
Correct your vision with our cutting-edge refractive surgery options, including LASIK, PRK, RLE, and ICL. Dr. Shafer utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to help you achieve clear vision, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contacts.
