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Farshid Karimi

Farshid Karimi

PhD Candidate
Postgraduate Research Student
Medicine & Health
School of Optometry and Vision Science

Research title:  Corneal nerves and neuroimmune interactions during treatment of ocular surface diseases

Supervisors: Scientia Professor Fiona Stapleton, Professor Isabelle Jalbert, Associate Professor Blanka Golebiowski

 

Abstract

Neuroimmune interactions are important in maintaining ocular surface homeostasis, and one of the components of the pathogenesis of ocular surface disorders such as dry eye disease (DED) and allergic eye disease. Despite advancements in imaging techniques, the impact of corneal nerve (CN) alterations and neuroimmune interactions on disease progression and treatment response remains insufficiently understood. This thesis examines CN and neuroimmune interactions in individuals with ocular surface diseases and assesses the effects of different treatments in these diseases using functional in vivo confocal microscopy (Fun-IVCM).

It is hypothesised that ocular surface CN and neuroimmune interactions can be biomarkers for monitoring ocular surface diseases. Ocular surface CN density and morphology vary between the pre- and post-treatment stages of ocular surface diseases. Finally, this research aims to identify whether ocular surface CN (density and morphology) and neuroimmune interactions can be used as diagnostic and monitoring biomarkers for the treatment effectiveness of ocular surface diseases.

 

Biography

Farshid Karimi is an Iranian optometrist, clinical researcher, and PhD candidate whose research focuses on corneal nerves and neuroimmune interactions during the treatment of ocular surface diseases. His current research applies Fun-IVCM to investigate neuroimmune biomarkers of inflammation and therapeutic response in dry eye and allergic eye disease. His PhD is supported by the University International Postgraduate Award, one of Australia’s most competitive scholarships for international doctoral students.

With nearly a decade of clinical and academic experience in leading optometry and vision science research centres, Farshid has authored 15 peer-reviewed publications and several educational books, many of which are used in clinical training across Iran. His work has been cited 134 times, and he holds an h-index of 7 (Google Scholar, September 2025), reflecting the ongoing impact of his contributions.

He is a reviewer for leading journals in optometry, ophthalmology, and vision science, particularly in ocular surface disease, keratoconus, and glaucoma. A member of Iran’s National Elites Foundation, Farshid has been honoured with multiple national awards, including the Honorary Diploma for Best Idea “stromal stem cell and amniotic membrane application in keratoconus” at the 14th Shams Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences Festival (2022) and the Top Scholar Prize in 2024 for his research collaborations, scientific publications, and academic leadership.

Farshid brings to his work a deep commitment to translational science—bridging clinical needs with research insight—and remains driven by a vision to improve diagnostic precision and treatment outcomes for patients with inflammatory ocular surface conditions.

 

Education

2024-Present - PhD Candidate in Optometry and Vision Science at the University of New South Wales, Australia.

2016-2019 - Master of Science in Optometry and Vision Science at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2011-2015 - Bachelor of Optometry, at Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

 

Awards

2024 - Scholarship, University International Postgraduate Award to study for a PhD. UNSW, Australia

2024 - Top Scholar Prize at the 16th Shams Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences Festival.

2022 - Honour diploma - the best idea - at the 14th Shams Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences Festival.

2019 - Iran's National Elites Foundation.

 

Memberships and Affiliations

2024-Present - Member, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)

2024-Present - Member, Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia (CCLSA)

2024-Present - Member, Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS)

2024-Present - Member, SOVS Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee

2024-Present - UNSW GRS Peer Mentor 
Email

farshid.karimi@unsw.edu.au

    1. Visual Field | Dec 2019
    2. Basic and Clinical Topics of the Visual System | Jul 2018
    1. Shokoohi-Rad, S., Karimi, F., Zarei-Ghanavati, S. and Tireh, H., 2021. Phacoemulsification, visco-goniosynechialysis, and goniotomy in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma: a comparative study. European journal of ophthalmology, 31(1), pp.88-95.
    2. Ghadamzadeh, M., Karimi, F., Moghaddam, S.G. and Daneshvar, R., 2022. Anterior chamber angle changes in primary angle-closure glaucoma following phacoemulsification versus phacotrabeculectomy: a prospective randomised clinical trial. Journal of Glaucoma, 31(3), pp.147-155.
    3. Khorrami-Nejad, M., Aghili, O., Hashemian, H., Aghazadeh-Amiri, M. and Karimi, F., 2019. Changes in corneal asphericity after MyoRing implantation in moderate and severe keratoconus. Journal of ophthalmic & vision research, 14(4), p.428.
    4. Naderi, M., Karimi, F., Jadidi, K., Mosavi, S.A., Ghobadi, M., Tireh, H. and Khorrami-Nejad, M., 2021. Long-term results of MyoRing implantation in patients with keratoconus. Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 104(4), pp.499-504.
    5. Shokoohi-Rad, S., Ansari, M.R., Sabzi, F., Saffari, R., Rajaei, P. and Karimi, F., 2020. Comparison of intraocular pressure changes due to exposure to mobile phone electromagnetics radiations in normal and glaucoma eye. Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology, 27(1), pp.10-13.
    6. Daneshvar, R., Karimi, F., Golami, F., Mosavi, S.A. and Khorrami-Nejad, M., 2022. Long-term comparison of the outcomes of Ahmed Glaucoma Valve surgery between glaucoma surgeons and cornea trained surgeons. International Ophthalmology, 42(4), pp.1183-1191.
    7. Naderi, M., Jadidi, K., Mosavi, S.A., Mohammadi, A.H., Farahani, M. and Karimi, F., 2025. Comparison of three measurement methods of intraocular pressure in patients with keratoconus undergoing MyoRing implantation. Malaysian Journal of Ophthalmology, 7(1).
    8. Karimi, F., Nejati, B., Rahimi, F., Alivirdiloo, V., Alipourfard, I., Aghighi, A., Raji-Amirhasani, A., Eslami, M., Babaeizad, A., Ghazi, F. and Firouzi Amandi, A., 2024. A state-of-the-art review on the recent advances of mesenchymal stem cell therapeutic application in systematic lupus erythematosus. Immunological Investigations, 53(2), pp.160-184.
    9. Motaei, J., Salmaninejad, A., Jamali, E., Khorsand, I., Ahmadvand, M., Shabani, S., Karimi, F., Nazari, M.S., Ketabchi, G. and Naqipour, F., 2021. Molecular genetics of cleidocranial dysplasia. Fetal and pediatric pathology, 40(5), pp.442-454.
    10. Ghasemi Broomand, M., Aghazadeh-amiri, M., Hamidi, F., Karimi, F., Pakbin, M., Jabbari-azad, F., Yekta, A.A., Khabazkhoob, M. and Hamidi, A., 2019. An Investigation of the Distribution of Coronal Topography Maps by Pentacam in the Rural Population of the North and South of Iran. Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation, 8(1), pp.58-65.