About

Shira L. Robbins is a Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at UC San Diego School of Medicine. Her research focuses on pediatric ophthalmology, including the management and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity, strabismus, thyroid eye disease-related strabismus, and the socioeconomic aspects of ophthalmic conditions. She has contributed to understanding the relationship between maternal cannabis use disorder and retinopathy of prematurity, as well as the global paradigms and challenges in managing retinopathy of prematurity in the anti-VEGF era. Robbins has also investigated the epidemiology of strabismus among adults and children, orbital architecture's influence on strabismus, and the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric ophthalmology services. Her work involves clinical trials, bibliographic publications, and the application of AI-assisted future paradigms in ophthalmology.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Family medicine
• Surgery
• Radiology
• Psychology
• Nursing

Selected publications

• Applications of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Strabismus Surgery Video-Based Education

  Ophthalmology Science · 2026-03-07

  articleOpen access

  Objective: To develop educational artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos for patients undergoing strabismus surgery and assess patient perceptions of these videos. Design: Prospective interventional study. Subjects: Adult patients with strabismus seen at University of California San Diego who were evaluated and subsequently underwent strabismus surgery. Methods: A pipeline of AI software including Claude Sonnet, Sora, Visla, and Tavus were used to generate a script educating patients on strabismus surgery, create avatars of real ophthalmologists, and AI-generated video clips. Surveys on Google Forms were created to (1) preoperatively assess whether patients could discern whether the videos were AI-generated and educational and (2) postoperatively whether the video remained educational. These videos were disseminated to patients once consent for strabismus surgery was obtained, and surveys were given to patients preoperatively and postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures: Patient perceptions and educational value of the video were assessed using Likert scales and yes versus no questions, which were averaged or enumerated, respectively. Subjective comments were also thematically assessed. Results: Thirty patients who underwent strabismus surgery were included in this study. The mean age was 54.0 ± 19.8 years with the majority undergoing surgery for the first time (n = 23 [76.7%]). Patients responded that these videos improved their understanding of strabismus (4.3 ± 0.9), strabismus surgery (4.2 ± 1.1), and eased their concerns (4.5 ± 0.8). Additionally, patients generally did not recognize that the video was AI-generated (4.3 ± 1.1), responded that they would watch more AI-generated videos in the future (4.7 ± 0.7), and would recommend AI-generated content to others (4.7 ± 0.65). When surveyed postoperatively, this sentiment persisted. Subjectively, patients generally emphasized how this video was both educational and reassuring. Conclusions: In this proof-of-concept study, patients generally felt AI-generated videos for strabismus surgery added educational value. Additionally, most patients perceived the AI-generated content positively. Future studies with larger sample sizes and outcome-based and validated educational endpoints are needed to prospectively evaluate the clinical impact of AI-generated educational content on other conditions and interventions. This approach may open new opportunities to improve patient understanding and ability to contribute to their care. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Association Between Neighborhood Opportunity Levels and Requiring Retinopathy of Prematurity Treatment

  Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus · 2026-03-20

  article

  Purpose: To determine the relationship between neighborhood-level socioeconomic status and requiring retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) treatment, using the Child Opportunity Index (COI). Methods: Electronic medical records for all patients who received ROP treatment from January 2010 to March 2024 at a tertiary care center were retrospectively reviewed. Controls were obtained by matching pediatric ophthalmology patients with the closest clinic visit date and no history of retinopathy of prematurity. Demographic and clinical information were collected. The patient's 5-digit ZIP code was used to determine the COI score and level. Results: This study included 245 study patients and 735 matched controls, of which 110 (44.9%) and 329 (44.8%) were female, respectively. The study group had a significantly lower mean COI score (48 ± 29) compared to controls (56 ± 31, P < .001). Additionally, the study group had a higher percentage of Hispanic/Latino patients compared to the control group (51.8% vs 41.9%, respectively, P = .01). When stratified into type 1 (n = 195) and type 2 (n = 50) ROP, patients in the ROP groups continued to have lower mean COI scores (50 ± 29 and 44 ± 28, respectively) than the control group (56 ± 31; P = .01 and P = .006, respectively). The type 1 ROP group had a greater number of patients with Medi-Cal insurance compared to the control group (50.8% vs 46.4%, respectively, P = .04). Conclusions: Neighborhood socioeconomic status may play a critical role in the management of ROP. It is important to understand the synergistic relationship between social determinants of health when addressing health disparities and developing community-level interventions.

  PublisherDOI

• The relationship between maternal cannabis use disorder diagnosis and the development of retinopathy of prematurity

  Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus · 2026-02-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Socioeconomic trends of adult strabismus in the United States: an analysis of the All of Us database

  Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE: To determine associations of income and education level with a diagnosis of strabismus and to identify socioeconomic variables that may affect timely access to diagnosis. METHODS: test was used to determine significant differences in distributions of income, education, and ZIP code metrics in 3,734 strabismus patients compared with the overall database. RESULTS: Participants living in ZIP codes with lower multidimensional deprivation indices (less deprivation) are more likely to be diagnosed with strabismus. Participants with annual income below $10,000 (10.10%) or who completed education between fifth grade and a high school diploma or GED (20.06%) are less likely to receive a diagnosis for certain strabismus subtypes. Participants with annual income over $200,000 (7.07%), advanced degrees (27.02%), living in ZIP codes with higher income, and higher high school completion rates were more likely to be diagnosed with certain strabismus subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Participants diagnosed with strabismus tend to have higher incomes, an advanced degree, and reside in more affluent ZIP codes, whereas those with lower income and education levels are less likely to be diagnosed. These findings reveal potential socioeconomic disparities in access to ophthalmic diagnostic services and care. Findings emphasize the importance of addressing socioeconomic barriers in eye care to enable equitable access.

  PublisherDOI

• Huddles for unprofessional behaviours in the healthcare setting that may require immediate investigation, inquiry or intervention

  BMJ Leader · 2025-04-25

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Some unprofessional behaviours, including allegations of discrimination, hostile work environment, violent behaviour, sexual boundary violations, potentially impaired clinicians, professional integrity and retaliation, require healthcare organisations to have a timely and reliable process to guide investigation, inquiry and/or interventions. Failure to have a consistent approach creates extraordinary risk for organisations, their team members and their patients. METHODS: Descriptive study of five health systems that participate in a national professionalism collaborative through the Vanderbilt Health Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy (CPPA) and implemented a huddle process to guide the initial disposition of event reports describing unprofessional behaviours that might warrant investigation, inquiry or intervention. Each site applied lessons learnt over the study period to refine the huddle participants, the process for the huddle and the tracking of information based on their experience. RESULTS: During the study, the participating sites held 219 huddles, which represented <1% of reports processed by CPPA during the study period. The most common type of reports resulting in a huddle included allegations of discrimination (30% of huddles) or hostile work environment (29%). Other common reasons for huddles included violent or aggressive behaviour (15%) or potential sexual boundary violations (13%). Additional reasons for huddles included concerns for an impaired clinician (3%), integrity (2%) or retaliation against a reporter for a previous electronic safety event report (2%). CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a huddle to review and guide next steps for reports including allegations of serious behaviours provided the healthcare organisations a process to reduce the variability of response to such reports and fostered increased communication and trust among organisational key stakeholders.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Review of Retinopathy of Prematurity Management in the Anti‐ <scp>VEGF</scp> Era: Evolving Global Paradigms, Persistent Challenges and Our <scp>AI</scp> ‐Assisted Future

  Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology · 2025-09-04

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains a major cause of preventable blindness in premature infants worldwide, with increasing incidence due to advancements in neonatal care. Management of ROP has been revolutionised by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) treatments. Pivotal clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of anti-VEGF in the management of Type 1 ROP, while investigation of safety and long-term effects is ongoing. However, infants with ROP often have persistent avascular retina (PAR) despite treatment and require lifelong monitoring for myopia, glaucoma, amblyopia, strabismus, significant refractive error, retinal tears and detachment and adult reactivation of ROP. Alternative therapeutics, including beta-blockers, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin A, remain under investigation. Alongside therapeutic advancements, artificial intelligence (AI) and telemedicine programmes have the potential to expand screening accessibility, particularly in underserved regions, and improve inter-observer variability, though challenges in implementation remain. Together, advanced therapeutics and AI-enhanced screening hold promise for improving outcomes and reducing ROP-related blindness globally.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Epidemiology of strabismus among adults in the United States: insights from the All of Us database

  Journal of American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus · 2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of adult-diagnosed strabismus and its associations with sex, age, and race in a large, diverse population database in the United States. METHODS: test with post hoc pairwise comparisons was used to determine significant differences in distributions of sex, age, and race data in 3,734 strabismus patients compared with the overall database. RESULTS: There is a higher proportion of males among patients with strabismus compared with the overall database (43.34% vs 38.34% [P < 0.001]). There is a significantly higher proportion of patients aged over 65 years among patients with strabismus compared with the overall database (45.77% vs 24.7% [P < 0.001]). There is also a significantly different racial distribution of individuals with strabismus compared with the overall database (P < 0.001). Pairwise comparisons showed a significantly lower proportion of Asian individuals among patients with strabismus or heterotropia, a lower proportion of Black individuals with most subtypes, and a higher proportion of White individuals among patients with any strabismus. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that there is a lower proportion of females, Asian, and Black participants with diagnosed strabismus compared with the overall population in the All of Us database. These findings may indicate that strabismus affects patient populations differently, or that there is differential access to care and diagnosis of strabismus across sex, age, and race.

  PublisherDOI

• Medical Student Awareness of Pediatric Ophthalmology as a Potential, Future Vocation

  Journal of Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus · 2025-07-30 · 1 citations

  article

  PURPOSE: To explore whether earlier exposure to the pediatric ophthalmology subspecialty could help foster interest and enhance recruitment efforts among medical students to more effectively develop and connect with potential, future pediatric ophthalmologists. METHODS: A 22-question survey was administered via Qualtrics to medical students at 13 different accredited medical schools. RESULTS: The survey garnered 392 complete responses. Demographically, respondents included 34% men and 66% women, with the largest participant category being MS-2 level (44%) in the survey. Three-quarters of students expressed potential interest in working with children as practicing physicians. Notably, only 8% of students had encountered pediatric ophthalmology rotations during their training, and 40% were uninformed about the training necessary to pursue a pediatric ophthalmology fellowship. The following associations with higher awareness of pediatric ophthalmology were found to be statistically significant: female gender identity, individuals with a family member or friend who is an ophthalmologist, and students with a personal medical history involving an ophthalmologist. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the significant deficiency in medical student exposure and education concerning pediatric ophthalmology. By recognizing this knowledge gap, this study underscores the necessity of enhancing pediatric ophthalmology exposure for medical students as a viable and rewarding career option.

  PublisherDOI

• But doctor, will I be able to drive? Car mirror placement design and viewing angles required for safe binocular vision for drivers

  British Journal of Ophthalmology · 2025-11-03 · 1 citations

  article

  BACKGROUND/AIMS: To examine the angle between the driver's eye and the three mirrors (side and rear-view) across different vehicle models, in order to understand head and gaze adjustments that may be necessary for post-strabismus surgery patients to reduce diplopia while driving. METHODS: The driver's eye angle (DEA) was defined as the horizontal angle between the driver's line of sight when looking straight ahead and the direction of their gaze required to view the centre of a given mirror. Angles were measured using a digital protractor from a single 69 inch (1.75 m) tall driver's eye position to the centre of the three mirrors (left side, right side and rear-view) in each vehicle. Measurements considered seat height and proximity to the steering wheel. RESULTS: DEAs were calculated for the seat position deemed most comfortable (CP) by the model driver. For the rear-view mirror, the average CP DEA was 43.5° (range: 35.0°-48.4°). The left side mirror averaged 45.8° (range: 39.3°-52.1°) and the right side mirror 68.9° (range: 63.1°-80.3°). Generally, DEAs were highest with the seat in a forward-high position and lowest when seated further back and lower. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with strabismus or postsurgical limitations may experience diplopia when using mirrors that require extreme gaze angles. Clinicians should incorporate driving-related visual demands into postoperative counselling. Encouraging rearward-lowered seating and recommending vehicles with narrower mirror angles may reduce symptoms. In some cases, adaptive devices (wide-angle mirrors, blind spot monitoring) may be necessary for safe and comfortable driving.

  PublisherDOI

• Ophthalmology

  2024-01-01

  book-chapterSenior author
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• David B. Granet

  53 shared

• Michael Kinori

  Assuta Medical Center

  39 shared

• Lance M. Siegel

  Children's Hospital of Los Angeles

  13 shared

• Don O. Kikkawa

  University of California, San Diego

  12 shared

• Lucila Ohno‐Machado

  12 shared

• Bobby S. Korn

  Fleet Science Center

  11 shared

• Diana Rodriguez

  10 shared

• Eric A. Packwood

  10 shared

Labs

• Shira Robbins | UCSD ProfilesPI

Education

• M.D., Ophthalmology

  University of California, San Diego

  1991

• B.S., Biology

  University of California, San Diego

  1987