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Department of Ophthalmology
Stritch School of Medicine
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Omer Iqbal M.D.

Research Professor of Ophthalmology

Education

  • B.Sc., Botany, Zoology, Chemistry - Nizam College, Osmania University, India
  • MBBS, MD - Gandhi Medical College, Osmania University, India
  • Resident/Intern - Gandhi Hospital, India
  • Additional Training:
    • Cardiology Fellowship - American College of Cardiology
    • Cardiology Fellowship - European Society of Cardiology 

Research Interests

Research Focus: Cornea and Ocular Surface Disease

Summary of Research Interests

We are interested in the current understanding of the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of keratoconus.  Based on immunohistochemical studies our work identified the role and expression of secreted frizzled-related protein (sFRP) in keratoconus.  Regarding age-related macular degeneration, based on a clinical trial, our laboratory showed that in people who chronically take aspirin for cardioprotection, may carry VEGF receptor polymorphism which may eventually lead to the development of neovascular age-related macular degeneration.  Currently, the focus is to determine whether or not these gene alterations could be gene edited using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We expect to demonstrate CRISPR Cas9-mediated gene editing to suppress VEGF-A expression to control choroidal neovascularization. Regarding research in the field of SJS/TEN, our laboratory has shown the expression of various cytokines such as IL-17 and IL-33 by immunohistochemistry and their role in the pathogenesis of SJS/TEN.  We expect that the knowledge gained in the pathogenesis of keratoconus, age-related macular degeneration and SJS/TEN will enable exploration of appropriate preventative strategies and optimum treatment options. 

Publications/Research Listings

2025

  • Sooranahalli C, Rao VR, Zelman B, Shekhar M, Komurlu Keceli S, Bouchard C, Iqbal O. The Potential Roles of IL-1β, IL-6, and RIPK3 in the Pathogenesis of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Diagnostics (Basel). 2025 Jan 26;15(3):290. doi: 10.3390/diagnostics15030290. PMID: 39941220; PMCID: PMC11816709.
  • Iqbal S, Ramini A, Kaja S. Impact of particulate matter and air pollution on ocular surface disease: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence. Ocul Surf. 2025 Jan;35:100-116. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2024.12.003. Epub 2024 Dec 12. PMID: 39672270; PMCID: PMC11811958.
  • Zilliox MJ, Ramini A, Oncel D, Iqbal O, Bouchard CS. Tissue localization of keratoconus polygenic risk score genes. [Manuscript submitted September 2025].

2024

  • El-Khateeb H, Shekar M, Iqbal O, Dharan A, Campbell E, Bu P, Mudaliar K, Speiser J, Bouchard C. The potential roles of IL-6 and NKG2C in the pathogenesis of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Clinical Research and Clinical Reports. 2024;3(4). https://doi.org/10.31579/2835-8325/071.
  • Kleinman D, Iqbal S, Ghosh AK, Ogle SD, Kaja S, Mitchnik M, Hakkarainen JJ. PLL-g-PEG Polymer Inhibits Antibody-Drug Conjugate Uptake into Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro. J Ocul Pharm Toxicol. 2024;e18.
  • Shekhar M, Iqbal O, Dharan A, El-Khateeb H, Jatavallabhula K, Bu P, Bouchard CS. The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Pathogenesis of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Medical Research Archives. 2024;12(1). https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v12i1.4939.
  • Nikolovski, S., Medic Brkic, B., Vujovic, K. S., Cirkovic, I., Jovanovic, N., Reddy, B., Iqbal, O., Zhang, C., Fareed, J., & Bansal, V. (2024). Severe hyporesponsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in patients on chronic hemodialysis—Reconsidering the relationship with thrombo-inflammation and oxidative stress. Diagnostics, 14(21), 2406. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14212406
  • Rao VR, Iqbal S, Young BA, Mun C, Jain S, Kaja S. Attenuation of neutrophil adhesion and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps by pooled human immune globulins. Front Pharmacol. 2024 Dec 12;15:1465776. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1465776. PMID: 39734403; PMCID: PMC11672200.

2023

  • Mendes de Almeida DP, Kedy FSG, Martins-Goncalves R, Bokel J, Grinsztejn E, Nunes de Oliveira PM, de Lourdes de Sousa Maia M, Hoagland B, Cardoso SW, Grinsztejn B, Siquiera MM, Kurtz P, Bozza PT, Garcia CC. A case report of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) with genetic analysis. Frontier Cardiovascular Medicine. 2023 May; 10:2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2023.1189320.
  • Zhang N, Su T, Yan J, Zhang M, Zhao S, Liu C, Chen T. Case report: Successful immunomodulators combined with electromagnetic field therapy in a patient with methazolamide-induced Steven Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap. Frontier Medicine. 2023 May; 10. doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1192920.

2022

  • Nguyen AB, Iqbal O, Block RC, Mousa SA. Prevention and treatment of atherothrombosis: Potential impact of nanotechnology. Vascul Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 11;148:107127. doi: 10.1016/j.vph.2022.107127. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36375733.
  • Iqbal O, El Khateeb H, Lewis J, Bouchard CS. Immune-mediated pathogenesis of Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis - An imminent need for stricter and more effective pharmacovigilance strategies. Journal of Dermatology and Dermatologic Diseases. 2022 December 05-06. 9:33.

2021

  • Metcalfe D, Iqbal O, Chodosh J, Bouchard CS, Saeed H. Acute and Chronic Management of Ocular Disease in Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Frontiers in Medicine. 2021 July; 8:662897. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2021.662897.
  • Iqbal O. A New Eruptive Fever Associated With Stomatitis and Ophthalmia. International Journal of Ophthalmology & Eye Science (IJOES). 2021 July; 9(1e):1-2. 
  • Sadek, Michael; Iqbal, Omer; Siddiqui, Fakiha; Till, Sean; Dharan, Adarsh; Mazariegos, Mellisa; Campbell, Edward; Mudaliar, Kumaran ; Speiser, Jodi ; Bontekoe, Emily; Kouta, Ahmed ; Farooqui, Amber ; Daravath, Bharathi ; Qnebi, Dalia; Sadek, Ramy; Hoppensteadt, Debra; Fareed, Jawed; Bouchard, Charles. The Role of IL-13, IL-15 and granulysin in the pathogenesis of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis. 2021 February; 27:1076029620950831. doi: 10.1177/1076029620950831. PMID: 33560872.
  • Goldstein J, Ben Hadj Tahar M, Iqbal O, Fareed J, Bouchard CS. Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and It’s Interface with Coagulation Activation. International Journal of Ophthalmology & Eye Science. 2021; 9(4): 472-477.
  • Nguyen AB, Iqbal O, Block RC, Mousa SA. Prevention and treatment of atherothrombosis: Potential impact of nanotechnology. Vascul Pharmacol. 2022 Nov 11;148:107127. doi: 10.1016/j.vph.2022.107127. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36375733.
  • Iqbal O, El Khateeb H, Lewis J, Bouchard CS. Immune-mediated pathogenesis of Stevens Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis - An imminent need for stricter and more effective pharmacovigilance strategies. Journal of Dermatology and Dermatologic Diseases. 2022 December 05-06. 9:33.

2020

  • Ripa M, Jabbehdari S, Yazdanpanah G, Lukacs E, Karcher B, Iqbal O, Bouchard CS. The Role of Multisystem Disease in Composition of Autologous Serum Tears and ocular surface symptom improvement. The Ocular Surface. 2020 July; 18(3):499-504. doi: 10.1016/j.jtos.2020.02.011. PMID: 32126284.

2019

  • Siddiqui F, Tafur A, Bontekoe E, Iqbal O, Jeske W, Mehrotra S, Hoppensteadt D, Ramaccioti E, FareedJ. Assay-based differentiation in the neutralization profile of unfractionated heparin, Enoxaparin, Fondaparinux by Andexanet Alfa.  26(1):107602961989512,Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis, December 2019.

2018

  • Adam N, Iqbal O, De Alba F, Kuffel G, Zilliox MJ, Adams W, Siddiqui Z, Patel R, O'Malley P, Park P, Stefonowicz C, Bouchard CS. Genetic Polymorphisms Associated with Risk of Developing Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Patients with Chronic Aspirin Usage. Journal of Ophthalmology Eye Care. 2018 May; 1(1): 101.
  • Till SD, Iqbal O, Dharan A, Campbell E, Bu P, Mudaliar K, Speiser J, Bouchard CS. The Roles of IL-33 and TGF-Β1 in the Pathogenesis of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/ Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: Potential Biomarkers for Disease Severity. Journal of Ophthalmology Eye Care. 2018 September; 1(1): 105.

2016

  • Iqbal O, Aziz JE and Aziz S. Personalized Anticoagulant Therapy. Biochemistry Society. 2016 February; 38(1): 39-42. https://doi.org/10.1042/BIO03801039.

2015

  • Syed D, Iqbal O, Mosier M, Mitchell R, Hoppensteadt D, Bouchard CS, Fareed J, Gamelli R. Elevated endocan levels and its association with clinical severity in Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. International Angiology. 2015; 34(5): 483-8. PMID: 25394955.
  • Iqbal O, Bramble W, Ottman A, O’Malley P, Gaynes J, De Alba F, Gaynes BI, Fareed J, Bouchard CS. Aspirin and its Metabolites Enhance the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cell Cultures – Implications in the Pathophysiology of Age-Related Macular Degeneration. International Journal of Ophthalmology and Eye Science.2015 August. 3(7), 115-120. doi: dx.doi.org/10.19070/2332-290X-1500025.

2013

  • Iqbal O, Fisher G, Vira S, Syed D, Sadeghi N, Freeman D, Campbell E, Sugar J, Feder R, Fareed J, Bouchard CS. Increased expression of secreted frizzled-related protein-1 and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 in keratoconus. Cornea. 2013 May; 32(5):702-707. doi: 10.1097/ICO.0b013e318282987a. PMID: 23449484.