Dr. Karim J. Samara, a Jacksonville native, joined Atlantic Eye Institute in July 2013. Dr. Samara graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University in 1998.

After graduation, Dr. Samara left Boston to return to his home state of Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Medicine in 2002 and completed a medical residency in Internal Medicine in 2005 followed by a surgical residency in Ophthalmology in 2008, both at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Samara is one of only a few physicians in the United States who is Board Certified in both Ophthalmology and Internal Medicine.

During his ophthalmology residency, Dr. Samara performed many laser refractive surgeries including LASIK and PRK. He received his certification on the VISX Excimer Laser in 2007 at the Naval Hospital here in Jacksonville. He also completed extensive training in cataract, refractive, glaucoma, and plastic surgery techniques, while still utilizing his Internal Medicine background to evaluate and manage patients with chronic eye conditions related to systemic disorders.

Before joining Atlantic Eye Institute, Dr. Samara served as the VA Chief of Ophthalmology in Jacksonville, FL where he was the lead instructor of ophthalmology residents and fellow surgical training. In addition to training residents, Dr. Samara was responsible for being the primary surgeon on the most challenging cataract, glaucoma, and oculoplastic cases presenting at the VA Hospital.

Dr. Samara has had advanced oculoplastic surgery training and performs complicated eyelid surgeries, including eyelid reconstruction, skin grafts, malignancy excision, ptosis repair, blepharoplasty, and many other medical and cosmetic procedures. He is knowledgeable in many surgical techniques and is often consulted to perform repairs of previous eyelid procedures. Dr. Samara also offers minimally invasive cosmetic options such as Botox and Dermal Fillers for those who wish to improve the signs of aging around the eyes and face.

Dr. Samara is proficient in many glaucoma surgeries including trabeculectomy and tube shunts. He also performs many minimally invasive glaucoma procedures including trabectome, selective laser trabeculoplasty, endoscopic cyclophotocoagualion, and mini shunts.

Passionate about using his gifts and experience to care for the elderly in the local community, Dr. Samara volunteers his services for the Volunteer Eye Care organization at various nursing homes throughout the Northeast Florida area.  These elderly residents may not receive proper care without the assistance of people like Dr. Samara and this organization.

When not at Atlantic Eye Institute or giving back to the elderly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, you can find Dr. Samara fishing, hiking and spending time with his family. He and his family attend a local Episcopal church where they are actively involved.