Ophthalmology Expert Witness
An ophthalmology expert witness is a physician who reviews the medical evidence in a vision-related legal matter and offers independent opinions on questions such as diagnosis, causation, standard of care, and visual impairment. Marc H. Shomer, MD, PhD, QME is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has provided medical-legal consultation to plaintiff and defense counsel for more than 13 years, including record review, written reports, deposition testimony, and courtroom testimony.
What an ophthalmology expert witness does
Vision-related litigation almost always turns on medical questions that the record alone cannot answer for a lay reader: Was the visual loss caused by the incident, or by pre-existing disease? Did the care provided meet the standard expected of a reasonable ophthalmologist? How impaired is the claimant, measured objectively? An ophthalmology expert witness translates the clinical evidence — examination findings, operative notes, imaging, and testing — into opinions that attorneys, judges, and juries can evaluate.
Dr. Shomer's medical-legal work includes matters involving alleged ophthalmic malpractice, ocular trauma, visual loss and disability, medical causation, and standard-of-care disputes, in both civil and criminal contexts. He accepts carefully selected plaintiff and defense engagements, and his opinions are formed independently after review of the relevant facts, records, examination findings, and applicable medical literature.
Why ophthalmology cases are distinctive: the eye is among the most objectively measurable organs in medicine. Optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography, automated visual fields, and refraction records often allow an expert to anchor opinions in documented structure and function rather than recollection — a significant advantage for whichever side the evidence favors.
Common types of matters
- Alleged ophthalmic malpractice, including cataract surgery, LASIK and refractive surgery, retinal detachment, and glaucoma claims
- Personal injury with claimed visual loss, including ocular trauma from assaults, vehicle collisions, falls, and workplace incidents
- Workers' compensation eye injuries, including California QME evaluations
- Disability and impairment disputes requiring visual disability evaluation
- Criminal matters in which vision or ophthalmic evidence is at issue
- Insurance and coverage questions involving ophthalmic diagnoses or treatment
Services available
- Preliminary case screening — an early, candid assessment of whether the ophthalmic evidence supports the theory of the case
- Medical record review and chronology development
- Written reports with transparent reasoning, prepared when retained for that purpose
- Independent ophthalmic examinations nationwide by arrangement
- Deposition and trial testimony
- Consultation on opposing expert reports and assistance framing deposition questions on ophthalmic issues
How opinions are developed
Every engagement begins with a conflict check and a precise definition of the questions presented. Dr. Shomer then reviews the complete record — not summaries alone — organizes the clinical timeline, examines the claimant when an examination is appropriate and arranged, reviews diagnostic testing in its native format where possible, considers alternative explanations, and consults the applicable medical literature. Written opinions distinguish clearly between established facts, assumptions, and professional judgment. This methodology is described further in the professional biography.
Geographic availability
Expert-witness consultation and remote record review are available nationwide. In-person ophthalmic examinations are also available nationwide: Dr. Shomer is willing to travel for examinations, depositions, and testimony by arrangement, subject to scheduling. His office in Upland, California is fully equipped for examination when the matter is conveniently venued there.
What attorneys should provide
The most useful first submission is a short summary of the matter, the key dates, the specific questions counsel wants answered, and an inventory of available records. Guidance on assembling complete records appears in What Records to Provide. Please do not send medical records or protected health information until a conflict check is complete and secure transfer instructions have been provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ophthalmology expert witness?
An ophthalmology expert witness is a physician specializing in diseases and surgery of the eye who provides independent opinions in legal matters — typically on diagnosis, causation, standard of care, or visual impairment — through record review, written reports, and testimony.
Does Dr. Shomer work for plaintiffs or defendants?
Both. Dr. Shomer accepts carefully selected plaintiff and defense matters. His role is the same in either posture: to evaluate the medical evidence independently and to state what it does and does not support.
Can cases outside California be reviewed?
Yes. Record review and expert consultation are available nationwide, and remote proceedings such as video depositions are routine. In-person examinations are likewise available nationwide, with travel by arrangement subject to availability.
How quickly can a review begin?
After a conflict check clears and an engagement agreement is signed, review can typically begin promptly. Attorneys facing near-term deadlines should say so in the initial inquiry so scheduling can be addressed realistically.
Educational information only. This page provides general information for attorneys and other medical-legal professionals. It is not medical or legal advice, does not address any particular case, and does not create a physician-patient, attorney-client, or expert-client relationship. Opinions in any matter are formed only after review of the specific records, examination findings, and applicable literature. Past engagements do not guarantee any result.
Board-certified ophthalmologist; Adjunct Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine of USC; active California Qualified Medical Evaluator. Full biography · Curriculum vitae
Published August 2, 2026 · Last substantive review August 2, 2026 · Medical reviewer: Marc H. Shomer, MD, PhD, QME
Request a Conflict Check and Case Review
Submit the matter for conflict screening. Please do not send medical records or protected health information until conflicts are cleared and secure transfer instructions are provided.