Dr. Siniša D. Grozdanić
DVM, PhD
- Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (Dipl. ACVO)
- Honorary Diplomate, Latino-American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (CLOVE)
- DVM, University of Belgrade; PhD in Neuroscience, Iowa State University
- Founder and veterinary ophthalmologist, Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa
- Medical Director, Oculus Specialty Veterinary Hospital, Belgrade
- Former Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Iowa State University
- Former Director of Animal Research, VA Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Vision Loss
- 40+ peer-reviewed scientific publications and co-editor of the Small Animal Veterinary Ophthalmology Atlas
- 80+ national and international lectures and scientific presentations
- Consultation on 600+ complex canine ophthalmology cases worldwide
- First veterinary ophthalmologist in North America to perform artificial corneal transplantation in veterinary patients
- Consultant for canine ophthalmic cases associated with U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Secret Service units
- Research expertise in SARDS and autoimmune retinopathy, glaucoma, neuroprotection, stem-cell and neurotrophic-factor therapies, advanced ocular diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, retinal surgery, orbital surgery, and artificial intelligence
- Surgical expertise in complex cataract and intraocular surgery, glaucoma surgery, corneal reconstruction, laser and endoscopic procedures, orbital surgery, and vitreoretinal surgery
Siniša D. Grozdanić, DVM, PhD, is a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, neuroscientist, surgeon, and translational vision researcher whose clinical and scientific career has focused on understanding, preventing, and treating vision loss in animals.
Dr. Grozdanić earned his veterinary degree from the University of Belgrade in 1998 and his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Iowa State University in 2002, followed by postdoctoral training and a residency in veterinary ophthalmology at Iowa State University. He subsequently served as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Iowa State University and as a research scientist and Director of Animal Research at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Vision Loss.
He is the founder and owner of Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa and serves as Medical Director of Oculus Specialty Veterinary Hospital in Belgrade, Serbia. His clinical work encompasses advanced medical and surgical management of corneal disease, cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, orbital disorders, and other complex ocular diseases in dogs, cats, and horses.
Dr. Grozdanić specializes in complex intraocular and extraocular surgery, cataract surgery, glaucoma diagnostics and surgery, laser procedures, ocular endoscopy, orbital surgery, corneal reconstruction, and vitreoretinal surgery, including surgical management of retinal detachment. He was the first veterinary ophthalmologist in North America to perform artificial corneal transplantation in veterinary patients and has provided ophthalmic consultation for canine units associated with the U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Secret Service.
His scientific research is centered on identifying visual pathways that remain functional after severe retinal or optic-nerve injury and developing strategies to protect or restore vision. His research encompasses sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS), autoimmune and cancer-associated retinopathies, glaucoma, retinal and optic-nerve neuroprotection, neurotrophic growth factors, stem-cell therapy, advanced ocular diagnostics, ocular microbiology and antimicrobial resistance, orbital and vitreoretinal surgery, and artificial intelligence.
A major component of his research program focuses on SARDS and immune-mediated retinal disease. His work has investigated antiretinal immune responses, complement activation, retinal inflammation, structural and molecular retinal abnormalities, cancer-associated retinopathy, and comparative retinal transcriptomics. His research has contributed to the evolving understanding of SARDS as a potentially biologically heterogeneous retinal disorder and has explored mechanisms that may provide opportunities for earlier diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.
Dr. Grozdanić has also conducted extensive research into glaucoma, retinal ischemia, and optic-nerve injury. Experimental studies in multiple species demonstrated that profound retinal and optic-nerve dysfunction following severe elevation of intraocular pressure can be followed by partial functional recovery, even when structural damage persists. His work has additionally examined hereditary canine angle-closure glaucoma, retinal neuroinflammation, complement activation, and potential neuroprotective strategies.
His neuroprotection and regenerative-medicine research has investigated neurotrophic factors including BDNF, GDNF, and CNTF, sustained-release neuroprotective therapies, and mesenchymal stem cells engineered to deliver neurotrophic growth factors. These studies explored strategies for protecting retinal ganglion cells, retinal function, and the optic nerve following ischemic and glaucomatous injury.
Another major area of his research has been the development of objective methods for evaluating retinal and optic-nerve function, including chromatic pupillometry, electroretinography, pattern electroretinography, optical coherence tomography, advanced retinal imaging, and Raman spectroscopy. These approaches are designed to identify and localize dysfunction within different components of the visual pathway and detect residual visual function that may not be apparent during conventional clinical examination.
His more recent work has expanded into ocular microbiology and antimicrobial resistance, minimally invasive and image-guided orbital surgery, retinal reattachment surgery, and artificial intelligence. His collaborations in computational ophthalmology have applied neural networks and U-Net architectures to the segmentation and recognition of canine ocular abnormalities, with potential applications in screening, teleophthalmology, and clinical decision support.
Dr. Grozdanić has authored or co-authored more than 40 peer-reviewed scientific publications spanning veterinary ophthalmology, neuroscience, glaucoma, retinal disease, regenerative medicine, ocular imaging, microbiology, orbital surgery, artificial intelligence, and vitreoretinal surgery. He also co-edited the Small Animal Veterinary Ophthalmology Atlas. His research has been supported through programs of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, Fight for Sight, and The Glaucoma Foundation.
In addition to his clinical and research activities, Dr. Grozdanić has delivered more than 80 invited, national, and international lectures and scientific presentations. He maintains an extensive international professional network and has provided complimentary consultation to veterinary ophthalmologists worldwide on more than 600 complex canine ophthalmology cases, helping colleagues with challenging diagnostic, medical, and surgical cases across multiple continents.
Research Areas
Eight connected lines of investigation, each linking naturally occurring animal eye disease to a mechanism that can be measured, protected, or treated.
SARDS, Autoimmune Retinopathy, and Cancer-Associated Retinopathy
SARDS is a major focus of Dr. Grozdanić’s clinical and scientific work. His research has examined the possibility that sudden retinal blindness may involve antibody-mediated injury, complement activation, retinal inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and metabolic or systemic factors. The program progressed from a foundational review of antibody-mediated canine retinopathies to OCT, histology, immunohistochemistry, molecular analysis, clinical characterization of cancer-associated retinopathy, and comparative retinal transcriptomics. Together, these studies provide a linked framework for understanding SARDS and related immune-mediated retinal disorders while recognizing that the syndrome may be biologically heterogeneous.
Glaucoma, Acute Intraocular-Pressure Elevation, and Optic-Nerve Injury
A foundational part of Dr. Grozdanić’s research examines how acute and chronic pressure elevation affects photoreceptors, inner-retinal neurons, retinal ganglion cells, optic-nerve axons, and clinically measurable vision. Rat and canine studies showed profound early loss of retinal and optic-nerve function after severe pressure elevation, followed by partial recovery over days or weeks. Canine studies also demonstrated that apparent visual recovery can coexist with retinal thinning and persistent structural injury. Additional work characterized hereditary primary angle-closure glaucoma, retinal neuroinflammation, complement deposition, and future neuroprotective approaches.
Neurotrophic Growth Factors, Neuroprotection, and Regenerative Therapy
Dr. Grozdanić’s neuroprotection work investigated whether surviving retinal and optic-nerve pathways can be supported after ischemic or glaucomatous injury. Studies identified a transient endogenous CNTF response after acute ocular ischemia and evaluated sustained delivery of BDNF, GDNF, and CNTF using biodegradable microspheres. BDNF and GDNF produced the strongest functional preservation of the afferent visual pathway. The program later advanced to mesenchymal stem cells engineered to secrete BDNF, demonstrating preservation of retinal ganglion cells, optic-nerve structure, and visual function in chronically hypertensive eyes.
Chromatic Pupillometry, Electrophysiology, OCT, and Raman Spectroscopy
Dr. Grozdanić has developed and evaluated objective diagnostic methods that distinguish outer-retinal dysfunction from inner-retinal, retinal-ganglion-cell, and optic-nerve disease. Chromatic pupillary-light-reflex testing uses different wavelengths to assess rod-cone and melanopsin-associated pathways and can assist in the evaluation of SARDS, retinal detachment, optic neuropathy, and cataract-associated visual impairment. Related work has integrated full-field and pattern electroretinography, optical coherence tomography, retinal imaging, histology, and Raman spectroscopy to detect and classify functional and biochemical changes before advanced structural loss becomes obvious.
Ocular Microbiology and Antimicrobial Resistance
Dr. Grozdanić’s ocular-surface research includes bacterial keratitis, microbiologic identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, multidrug resistance, and evidence-based empirical treatment. A large study of canine stromal corneal ulcers identified common pathogens and resistance patterns and evaluated antibiotic combinations that provide broad coverage while culture results are pending. A 2026 non-peer-reviewed preprint extended this work to chronic non-healing ulcers and reported substantial bacterial recovery and increasing antimicrobial resistance, supporting the need for culture-guided therapy and antimicrobial stewardship.
Orbital Imaging, Endoscopy, and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Dr. Grozdanić’s orbital research integrates endoscopy, computed tomography, ultrasonography, surgical navigation, biopsy, and minimally invasive removal of orbital lesions and foreign bodies. Cadaveric and clinical studies demonstrated that endoscopic approaches can provide targeted access to orbital compartments while limiting surgical morbidity. Intraoperative CT and stereotactic navigation were evaluated for real-time localization and removal of orbital foreign bodies. His orbital work also includes the characterization and successful medical management of an unusual canine orbital osteoma.
Retinal Detachment and Vitreoretinal Surgery
Dr. Grozdanić’s clinical research includes retinal detachment and vitreoretinal procedures intended to restore vision in complex veterinary patients. A 2026 feline study evaluated giant retinal tears in cats with retinal detachment, identified associated risk factors, and described retinal reattachment using silicone-oil tamponade. The work supports vitreoretinal surgery as a potential vision-restoring option in carefully selected patients while also documenting postoperative complications that require long-term monitoring.
Key papers:
Feline giant retinal tearsArtificial Intelligence and Canine Ophthalmic Image Recognition
Dr. Grozdanić has collaborated with computer scientists on neural-network systems for segmentation and recognition of canine ocular abnormalities. The work uses specialist-reviewed clinical images, synthetic-image augmentation, U-Net architectures, and quantitative segmentation metrics. A 2024 study demonstrated that automated models can localize several clinically important ocular abnormalities, providing a foundation for future screening, teleophthalmology, image standardization, and transparent clinical decision support.
Key papers:
AI image-segmentation studyResearch Mission
The unifying goal of Dr. Grozdanić’s clinical and scientific work is to identify visual function that remains viable, determine the mechanisms placing it at risk, and develop practical methods to preserve or restore it. This approach connects laboratory neuroscience with naturally occurring veterinary disease and combines pressure control, immunomodulation, neuroprotection, antimicrobial stewardship, advanced diagnostics, image-guided surgery, and computational medicine.
The central question across this research program is not simply whether an eye is damaged, but which visual pathways remain functional and can still be protected or restored.
Selected Publications
Selected peer-reviewed publications from Dr. Grozdanić and his collaborators, most recent first.
Incidence of and treatment strategies for giant retinal tears in cats with retinal detachment
Grozdanić SD, Luzhetskii S, Lazić T. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2026;67(6):670-678.
Temporal increase in antibiotic resistance in chronically treated non-healing ulcers (Preprint)
Grozdanić S, Joksimović M, Childs J, Racić D, Lazić T, Ford B. Preprints. 2026. doi:10.20944/preprints202606.1727.v1.
Retinal transcriptomic signatures in SARDS and cancer-associated retinopathy
Grozdanić S, Poleksić A, Racić D, Bock D, Lazić T, Kuehn M. Animals. 2026;16(7):1051. doi:10.3390/ani16071051.
Preoperative and intraoperative CT imaging for orbital foreign bodies identification and surgical planning in veterinary medicine
Grozdanić SD, Murtha H, Lazić T, Đukić S, Luzetskii S, Ursu DC, Sarment D. Acta Veterinaria-Beograd. 2024;74(3):367-397. doi:10.2478/acve-2024-0026.
Diagnosis of ophthalmologic diseases in canines based on images using neural networks for image segmentation
Burić M, Grozdanić S, Ivašić-Kos M. Heliyon. 2024;10(19):e38287. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38287.
Antibiotic recommendations for treatment of canine stromal corneal ulcers
Joksimović M, et al. Veterinary Sciences. 2023;10(2):66. doi:10.3390/vetsci10020066.
Endoscopic diagnostic and surgical orbital approach in canines
Đurić ML, Krstić VP, Lazić TM, Grozdanić SD. Acta Veterinaria Hungarica. 2022;70(2):100-112. doi:10.1556/004.2022.00017.
Presumed cancer-associated retinopathy mimicking SARDS in canines
Grozdanić SD, Lazić T, Kecova H, Mohan K, Adamus G, Kuehn MH. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2021;24(2):125-155. doi:10.1111/vop.12853.
The future of canine glaucoma therapy
Komáromy AM, Bras D, Esson DW, et al. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2019;22(5):726-740. doi:10.1111/vop.12678.
Optical coherence tomography and molecular analysis of SARDS eyes suggests the immune-mediated nature of retinal damage
Grozdanić SD, Lazić T, Kecova H, Mohan K, Kuehn MH. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2019;22(3):305-327. doi:10.1111/vop.12597.
Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) assessment of the healthy female canine retina and optic nerve
Hernandez-Merino E, Kecova H, Jacobson SJ, Hamouche KN, Nzokwe RN, Grozdanić SD. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2011;14(6):400-405. doi:10.1111/j.1463-5224.2011.00887.x.
Characterization of structure and function of the mouse retina using pattern electroretinography, pupil light reflex, and optical coherence tomography
Mohan K, Harper MM, Kecova H, Ye EA, Lazić T, Sakaguchi DS, Kardon RH, Grozdanić SD. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2012;15(Suppl 2):94-104. doi:10.1111/j.1463-5224.2012.01034.x.
Rapid diagnosis of retina and optic nerve abnormalities in canine patients with and without cataracts using chromatic pupil light reflex testing
Grozdanić SD, Kecova H, Lazić T. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2013;16(5):329-340. doi:10.1111/vop.12003.
Detection and characterization of glaucoma-like canine retinal tissues using Raman spectroscopy
Wang Q, Grozdanić SD, Harper MM, et al. Journal of Biomedical Optics. 2013;18(6):067008. doi:10.1117/1.JBO.18.6.067008.
Successful medical treatment of an orbital osteoma in a dog
Grozdanić S, Riedesel EA, Ackermann MR. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2013;16(2):135-139. doi:10.1111/j.1463-5224.2012.01029.x.
Transplantation of BDNF-secreting mesenchymal stem cells provides neuroprotection in chronically hypertensive rat eyes
Harper MM, Grozdanić SD, Blits B, et al. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2011;52(7):4506-4515. doi:10.1167/iovs.11-7346.
Neuroinflammation in advanced canine glaucoma
Jiang B, Harper MM, Kecova H, Adamus G, Kardon RH, Grozdanić SD, Kuehn MH. Molecular Vision. 2010;16:2092-2108.
Exogenous modulation of intrinsic optic nerve neuroprotective activity
Grozdanić SD, Lazić T, Kuehn MH, Harper MM, Kardon RH, Kwon YH, Lavik EB, Sakaguchi DS. Graefe’s Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 2010;248(8):1105-1116. doi:10.1007/s00417-010-1336-7.
Functional and structural changes in a canine model of hereditary primary angle-closure glaucoma
Grozdanić SD, Kecova H, Harper MM, Nilaweera W, Kuehn MH, Kardon RH. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2010;51(1):255-263. doi:10.1167/iovs.09-4081.
Antibody-mediated retinopathies in canine patients: mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment modalities
Grozdanić SD, Harper MM, Kecova H. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2008;38(2):361-387. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2007.12.003.
Recovery of canine retina and optic nerve function after acute elevation of intraocular pressure: implications for canine glaucoma treatment
Grozdanić SD, Matić M, Betts DM, Sakaguchi DS, Kardon RH. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2007;10(Suppl 1):101-107. doi:10.1111/j.1463-5224.2007.00584.x.
Evaluation of retinal status using chromatic pupil light reflex activity in healthy and diseased canine eyes
Grozdanić SD, Matić M, Sakaguchi DS, Kardon RH. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2007;48(11):5178-5183. doi:10.1167/iovs.07-0249.
Retinal synthesis and deposition of complement components induced by ocular hypertension
Kuehn MH, Kim CY, Ostojić J, et al. Experimental Eye Research. 2006;83(3):620-628. doi:10.1016/j.exer.2006.03.002.
Functional characterization of retina and optic nerve after acute ocular ischemia in rats
Grozdanić SD, Sakaguchi DS, Kwon YH, Kardon RH, Sonea IM. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 2003;44(6):2597-2605. doi:10.1167/iovs.02-0600.
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