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Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD

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Specializes in: Vitreoretinal Diseases (Retina and Vitreous) and General Ophthalmology

University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine (2002)

Professional interests include: anisocoria, diabetic retinopathy, electroretinogram (ERG), and more.

8630 Fenton Street Suite 410
Silver Spring, MD 20910

(301) 435-2357

Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD is a retina specialist in Greenbelt, MD specializing in vitreoretinal diseases (retina and vitreous) and general ophthalmology. He graduated from University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine in 2002 and has 22 years of experience. Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD is affiliated with Inova, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Health and THE RETINA GROUP OF WASHINGTON, PLLC.

Office Locations

Address:

7501 Greenway Center Drive 300
Greenbelt, MD 20770

Address:

8270 Willow Oaks Corporate Drive 600
Fairfax, VA 22031

Address:

8630 Fenton Street Suite 410
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Address:

9131 Piscataway Road 500
Clinton, MD 20735

Some issues Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD can help you with:

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR)

Dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR, is a surgical procedure used to bypass a blocked tear duct.

Normally, the tears that constantly bathe the eyes are drained through two tiny holes in the eyelid, where they run through a duct into the nose. This tear duct can become clogged or blocked, causing tears to back up and leading to watery eyes. Common causes of tear duct blockages include trauma, a facial tumor, and inflammation due to certain medical conditions, but usually the cause is not known. Clogged tear ducts are especially common in young children. If the blockage is permanent and located lower in the duct, near the nose, DCR may be performed to create a bypass and allow tears to drain freely again.

During DCR surgery, a small hole is made in the bone and tissue between the upper part of the tear duct and the nasal passage. Usually, a tiny plastic tube called a stent is placed into the opening to protect it and keep it open during healing. DCR may be performed through an open incision on the upper cheek near the nose, or it may be performed endoscopically using tiny instruments that are passed through the nostril. Open surgery is more common, and has a slightly higher success rate, although endoscopic surgery causes less pain and bleeding during recovery. DCR is able to correct the blockage and watering eyes in nearly 95% of cases.

The surgery itself takes only about half an hour. It is usually done under general anesthesia, which may require a short hospital stay while patients recover. Small amounts of bleeding from the nose are not uncommon for the first 24 hours, and bruising and swelling are expected for the first two weeks. Don't be alarmed if the eye continues to water at first. Swelling in the area due to surgery can cause the eye to water, but this should go away as patients heal.

Eye Problems

Millions of people every year have problems with their eyes. Some of the most common eye problems are refractive disorders, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and cataracts.

Refractive disorders happen when the shape of the eye doesn't let allow someone focus very precisely. They might be myopic (nearsighted), hyperopic (farsighted), or have an astigmatism, which is a focus problem caused by the cornea. Refractive disorders can be corrected by glasses or contacts.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. It happens when fluid pressure builds up within the eye and damages the optic nerve. It is treated with medications and surgery.

Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. The retina is tissue at the back of the eye that is filled with numerous, tiny blood vessels. When diabetes damages these delicate blood vessels, they burst or leak, leading to blind spots and blurred vision. Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with laser therapy and surgery, but often vision cannot be restored.

Macular degeneration is common in older adults. The macula is the central part of the retina and is responsible for crisp center vision. Over time, the cells in the macula begin to die, making central vision blurry. An early symptom of macular degeneration is that straight lines appear wavy.

Cataracts happen when the clear lens in the front of the eye becomes cloudy, making things look blurry or faded. They are extremely common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans will have had a cataract. In early stages, prescription glasses and magnifying lenses can help. As the cataracts get worse, surgery to replace the lens may be the best option.

More than just one of the five senses, the eyes are heavily relied upon to communicate, work, and get around every day. It's important to have regular eye exams for vision stays in good shape for years to come.

LASIK

LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) is a surgical procedure that improves vision by permanently correcting refractive vision errors. Refractive vision errors are sight problems (such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism) that typically require patients to wear contact lenses or glasses. Nearsightedness (myopia) causes blurred vision at a distance, while farsightedness (hyperopia) makes objects that are up close appear blurry. Astigmatism results in blurred vision at both near and far distances. Each eye is either nearsighted or farsighted, and can additionally have astigmatism. These refractive vision errors develop from imperfections in the curvature of the eye, which LASIK fixes through the use of a laser. The laser changes the shape of the eye by cutting away tissue from the cornea (clear outer layer of the eye).

LASIK is generally considered an elective procedure (not medically necessary) since patients can wear glasses or contact lenses instead of undergoing LASIK. Nevertheless, many people still elect to undergo LASIK to have better vision without having to wear corrective lenses. Certain professionals, such as pilots, military members, firefighters, and athletes, might particularly benefit from LASIK.

Ophthalmologists (eye doctors) evaluate patients before surgery, measuring the cornea and checking for any eye irregularities that would disqualify patients from LASIK. A special eye scanner is used to create a map of the cornea. This map guides the surgeon in developing an individualized LASIK treatment plan. Once approved for LASIK, contact-wearers are advised to switch to glasses for the three weeks leading up to their surgery.

LASIK is a brief procedure, lasting for about half an hour, depending on the state of a patient's eyes and the corneal reshaping required. Patients lie down on a reclining chair and have numbing eye drops applied to one or both eyes to eliminate pain and discomfort during the procedure. While the eyes are held open by a device, the eye surgeon raises a fixation light where patients direct their eyes. The surgeon uses a femtosecond laser to cut a precise circular incision in the cornea's surface. The surgeon then manually folds back the corneal flap to access the stroma (inner cornea).

An excimer laser is then used to remove certain amounts of corneal tissue. For patients with farsightedness, the laser cuts tissue on the outer regions of the cornea, making the central cornea more prominent. For patients with nearsightedness, the opposite is done; central corneal tissue is removed while the outer tissue is left alone, flattening the eye. In patients with astigmatism, the laser is used to even out the surface of the corneal tissue, making the eye more spherical. When the lasering process is complete, the ophthalmologist folds the corneal flap to its regular position. The flap quickly begins to heal and naturally reattach itself to the eye.

LASIK patients need someone to drive them home from the procedure and cannot drive for the following 24 hours. Recovery from LASIK lasts about five days. Patients typically notice improved vision within a day or two of surgery. Prescription eye drops are given to patients to alleviate discomfort and promote eye healing. During this recovery time, patients must be incredibly careful not to touch or rub their eyes. Ophthalmologists often instruct patients to wear protective glasses during the day and night to prevent potential damage from eye rubbing.

LASIK can improve the experience of certain activities such as swimming or reading, and in some cases, LASIK can be a life-changing procedure for those with severe refractive vision errors. LASIK may also save patients money by eliminating the recurring need for updated corrective lenses.

diagnostic imaging	47
doctor visit	170
eye procedures	3755
injections	655
ultrasound (sonogram)	47

**Gender**
Male	203
Female	327

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	305
Black	180
Hispanic	24
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	180
From 75 to 84	176
85 and over	128
Less than 65	46

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	11
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	43
Dementia	11
Cancer	12

diagnostic imaging	54
doctor visit	189
eye procedures	4177
injections	642
ultrasound (sonogram)	54

**Gender**
Male	233
Female	353

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	295
Black	223
Hispanic	34
Asian	15
Other	19
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	223
From 75 to 84	180
85 and over	132
Less than 65	51

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	11
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	45
Dementia	10
Cancer	11

diagnostic imaging	46
doctor visit	296
eye procedures	4122
injections	579
ultrasound (sonogram)	46

**Gender**
Male	488
Female	812

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	642
Black	534
Hispanic	58
Asian	32
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	524
From 75 to 84	408
85 and over	254
Less than 65	114

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	11
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	47
Dementia	9
Cancer	11

diagnostic imaging	63
doctor visit	253
eye procedures	4196
injections	534
ultrasound (sonogram)	63

**Gender**
Male	270
Female	393

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	314
Black	272
Hispanic	39
Asian	20
Other	18
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	258
From 75 to 84	219
85 and over	124
Less than 65	62

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	51
Dementia	10
Cancer	10

diagnostic imaging	106
doctor visit	89
eye procedures	4825
injections	628
photocoagulation	31
ultrasound (sonogram)	106

**Gender**
Male	277
Female	421

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	312
Black	305
Hispanic	39
Asian	18
Other	24
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	278
From 75 to 84	212
85 and over	140
Less than 65	68

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	49
Dementia	10
Cancer	10

diagnostic imaging	96
doctor visit	149
eye procedures	5047
injections	694
ultrasound (sonogram)	96

**Gender**
Male	274
Female	420

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	317
Black	306
Hispanic	34
Asian	16
Other	21
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	273
From 75 to 84	209
85 and over	145
Less than 65	67

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	8
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	49
Dementia	12
Cancer	12

diagnostic imaging	108
doctor visit	240
eye procedures	5998
injections	756
laser treatment	10
photocoagulation	39
ultrasound (sonogram)	108

**Gender**
Male	325
Female	479

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	351
Black	345
Hispanic	54
Asian	27
Other	27
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	334
From 75 to 84	228
85 and over	177
Less than 65	65

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	42
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	49
Dementia	12
Cancer	11

diagnostic imaging	86
doctor visit	228
eye procedures	5290
injections	850
ultrasound (sonogram)	86

**Gender**
Male	334
Female	536

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	335
Black	426
Hispanic	50
Asian	24
Other	35
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	326
From 75 to 84	263
85 and over	199
Less than 65	82

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	65
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	32
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	49
Dementia	12
Cancer	11

diagnostic imaging	165
doctor visit	3424
eye procedures	10263
injections	2080
ultrasound (sonogram)	165

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD treated as a retina specialist in Greenbelt, MD were eye procedures, injections, diagnostic imaging and ultrasound (sonogram).

diagnostic imaging	85
doctor visit	560
eye procedures	5301
injections	824
laser treatment	10
photocoagulation	35
ultrasound (sonogram)	85

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD.

**Gender**
Male	240
Female	374

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	259
Asian / Pacific Islander	15
Non-Hispanic White	287
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	33
Other	14

**Age**
75 to 84	189
85 and over	129
Less than 65	55
65 to 74	239

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	59
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	10
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	6
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	7
Diabetes	38
Atrial Fibrillation	7
Cancer	8
Dementia	8

Education & Training

Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD graduated from University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine in 2002. He completed residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology and has a state license in Maryland.

Medical School: University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine (2002)

Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2006)

Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology

Licensed In: Maryland

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Inova

MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Inova Fair Oaks Hospital

MedStar Washington Hospital Center

MedStar Health

THE RETINA GROUP OF WASHINGTON, PLLC

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Genentech USA, Inc.	$33,798 VABYSMO $24,233	LUCENTIS $8,987	SUSVIMO $195	$383
Astellas Pharma US Inc	$8,766 Izervay $5,290	$3,476
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation	$7,002 BEOVU $6,718	brolucizumab $47	$237
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.	$5,309 EYLEA HD $4,850	Eylea $253	EYLEA aflibercept injection $163	EYLEA (aflibercept) Injection $43
Allergan Inc.	$2,105 OZURDEX $2,082	$23
Other	$6,456 OZURDEX $2,115	LUCENTIS $464	ILUVIEN $449	JETREA $391	Non-Covered Product $319	Other $2,719

**Types of Payments**
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$45,180
Food and Beverage	$10,838
Travel and Lodging	$3,736
Consulting Fee	$3,480
Entertainment	$115
Other	$87

Biography

Dr. Aziz Khanifar is a specialist in general ophthalmology and vitreoretinal diseases (retina and vitreous). He is a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), Keck School of Medicine and a graduate of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's residency program. Areas of expertise for Dr. Khanifar include nystagmus, ectropion (outward-turned eyelid), and eye floater. Dr. Khanifar is conversant in Spanish. He is affiliated with Inova Fair Oaks Hospital, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

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Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Aziz Alexander Khanifar, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

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