Joshua Mali, MD, FASRS

Founder & CEO, Mali Enterprises

Award-winning retina specialist, key opinion leader, author, entrepreneur, inventor, TV and film medical expert, and trusted advisor to the pharmaceutical, medical device and investor communities on ophthalmology and retina innovation

As Founder and CEO of Mali Enterprises, Dr. Mali helps companies and investors understand which retina therapies and technologies will succeed in real practice, and why. He brings the combined view of a practicing vitreoretinal surgeon, clinical trial expert, patented inventor and expert in artificial intelligence in eye care, and he is the author of the annual Top 5 in Ophthalmology.

As seen on PBS · NBC · ABC · Healio · Ophthalmology Times

Work with Mali Enterprises How I advise
Dr. Joshua Mali, retina specialist and Founder and CEO of Mali Enterprises
Joshua Mali, MD, FASRSFounder & CEO, Mali Enterprises
  • CEOFounder and Chief Executive Officer of Mali Enterprises since 2018
  • 5Retina clinical trials as principal investigator
  • 2Patented ophthalmic devices he invented or co-developed
  • 10Years of his annual Top 5 in Ophthalmology
  • 100K+Views of his YouTube eye injection video
Founded 2018

Mali Enterprises

Led by Joshua Mali, MD, FASRS, Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Mali Enterprises is Dr. Mali’s ophthalmology consulting and innovation company, focused on industry and investor advisory work, ophthalmic device innovation and medical media. Under his leadership as CEO, it advises the companies and investors shaping eye care, and it has taken ideas from the exam room to patented, market-ready devices.

  • Industry and investor advisory

    Clinical, commercial and competitive insight on ophthalmic drugs, devices, AI and companies.

  • Innovation

    Inventing and co-developing ophthalmic devices, from concept and patent to market.

  • Media

    Documentary, television, podcast and trade-press expertise on eye care.

  • Doctorpreneurship

    Mentoring physicians who want to build businesses of their own.

A Mali Enterprises innovation · Co-developer and equity owner

SNAPS Eyeshield: a tapeless postoperative eye shield

The postoperative eye shield had barely changed in a century: hard plastic taped to the face, uncomfortable to wear and awkward to remove for drops or exams. More than half of patients say taped shields are uncomfortable and cumbersome.

Dr. Mali helped design SNAPS with the engineering team at Intermed Labs at Mon Health to fix that. It is a clear, tapeless shield that clips onto small adhesive anchors, sits just off the skin, lets air flow, and flips open for an exam or eye drops without removing anything from the face.

Visit snapseyeshield.com
  • Patented, FDA-registered Class I deviceDesigned for use after cataract, retina and other ocular surgery.
  • Premier, Inc. purchasing agreementAwarded a group purchasing agreement for ophthalmology products in 2023, opening the door to Premier member hospitals and surgery centers.
  • Launched at AAO 2023Showcased by Dr. Mali at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting in San Francisco.
  • Read more Dr. Mali in Modern Retina Premier agreement announcement
A Mali Enterprises innovation · Inventor and patent holder

Mali Eyeglass Holder

Noticing that patients had nowhere to safely put their glasses during the slit lamp exam, Dr. Mali designed and patented a tabletop eyeglass holder, the first product of Mali Enterprises. It earned an Honorable Mention in the American Society of Retina Specialists’ “Shark Tank”-style Winning Pitch competition and was featured in Primary Care Optometry News, Ophthalmology Times and on Medical World News.

Hear the story behind the invention
The CEO’s perspective

Physician and chief executive

Dr. Mali runs Mali Enterprises alongside a full surgical practice, giving partners a rare combination: a CEO who understands business, product and markets, and a surgeon who knows exactly what works for patients and physicians. He has written about building that path for Doximity and hosted a “Doctorpreneurship” series on his podcast.

Partner with Mali Enterprises

Ophthalmology consulting for industry and investors

Billions of dollars ride on how retina therapies and devices perform once they reach the clinic. Through Mali Enterprises, Dr. Mali gives pharmaceutical companies, medical device makers and investors a practicing retina surgeon’s view of the science, the competitive landscape and real-world adoption, so they can make better decisions on pipelines, products and investments.

  • Pharmaceutical and biotech

    Pipeline, positioning, launch and lifecycle strategy for retina therapeutics.

  • Medical device, diagnostics and AI

    Product design, clinical workflow fit and commercialization for surgical, imaging, monitoring and AI technologies.

  • Investors

    Venture capital, private equity, hedge funds and investment banks evaluating ophthalmic companies and assets.

  • Research and expert networks

    Market research, physician panels and expert consultations on retina practice.

  • Investment due diligence

    Clinical and commercial assessment of ophthalmic companies, drugs and devices: trial data, differentiation, safety signals, likely uptake and the physician’s view of the risks.

  • Market and competitive landscape

    Briefings on where the retina market is heading, from anti-VEGF agents and biosimilars to geographic atrophy, sustained delivery and gene therapy, informed by his annual Top 5 in Ophthalmology forecasts.

  • AI and digital health strategy

    Evaluation of AI diagnostic, imaging, monitoring and analytics tools in eye care: clinical validity, workflow fit, physician trust and the path to adoption and reimbursement.

  • Advisory boards and KOL engagement

    Candid, clinically grounded input on pipelines, product positioning, messaging and unmet needs in retinal disease.

  • Clinical development strategy

    Trial design, endpoints, site operations and patient recruitment, informed by his work as principal investigator on trials for Allergan, Regeneron, Santen, Opthea and Chengdu Kanghong.

  • Commercialization and launch

    How retina specialists adopt new treatments, including practice workflow, reimbursement and managed-care realities, payer and pharmacy considerations, and what drives prescribing.

  • Device and product innovation

    Concept-to-market guidance from a physician CEO who patented the Mali Eyeglass Holder and helped develop the SNAPS Eyeshield.

  • Expert consultations and investor events

    One-on-one calls, panels and keynote talks for investment firms, conferences and corporate teams on the state of ophthalmology.

Expertise in artificial intelligence

AI in healthcare and ophthalmology

Ophthalmology is one of medicine’s most image-driven specialties, which makes it a leading proving ground for artificial intelligence. Dr. Mali has written and spoken about AI in eye care since 2018, from AI-assisted early detection of wet AMD to remote patient monitoring. His forecast that AI would permeate ophthalmology was covered by Becker’s ASC Review, and he named AI the defining force in the field in his 2026 Top 5.

He helps companies and investors separate the AI tools that will change clinical practice from those that won’t, combining a surgeon’s view of the real-world workflow with an entrepreneur’s view of the market.

  • Imaging and diagnosticsAI analysis of OCT and retinal imaging for macular degeneration, geographic atrophy and diabetic eye disease.
  • Remote and home monitoringTelemonitoring that detects disease activity earlier and extends care beyond the clinic.
  • Clinical workflow and practice analyticsTools that improve efficiency, decision support and data use across the practice.
  • Adoption, validation and reimbursementWhat physicians, health systems and payers need to see before an AI tool earns a place in care.

Innovation areas he follows closely

Dr. Mali tracks these categories as a surgeon, an investigator and a forecaster, and writes about them each year in Ophthalmology Times.

  • Artificial intelligence and digital health
  • Anti-VEGF and bispecific therapies
  • Longer-acting and high-dose agents
  • Biosimilars
  • Geographic atrophy and complement inhibition
  • Sustained-release and port delivery
  • Gene and cell therapy
  • Diabetic retinopathy and DME
  • Uveitis therapeutics
  • Home monitoring and telemedicine
  • Surgical devices and postoperative care

On screen and on air

Dr. Mali translates complex eye science into clear, compelling stories for television, film, podcasts and the trade press, reaching patients, physicians and industry leaders alike.

PBS documentary · Medical expert

Medical Stories: Finding Light in the Darkness

Dr. Mali is featured as the retina medical expert in this episode of Medical Stories, the public television docuseries that follows patients through life-changing diagnoses.

Watch on YouTube
YouTube · 100,000+ views

Watch an Eylea eye injection

Think an eye injection is scary? Dr. Mali walks viewers through the numbing process and a real intravitreal Eylea injection for wet macular degeneration. It has become one of his most-watched videos, helping patients around the world face treatment with confidence.

Watch on YouTube

Watch

Listen

In the news

Dr. Mali’s Top 5 in Ophthalmology

Every year since 2016, Dr. Mali has published his Top 5 predictions for the year ahead in Ophthalmology Times. Now a decade-long tradition followed across the specialty and the industry, the series has called the trends that shaped the field, from anti-VEGF breakthroughs and biosimilars to geographic atrophy therapies, AI and the future of postoperative care. His forecasts have also been picked up by the business press, including Becker’s ASC Review.

Retina clinical trial experience

A clinical trial expert, Dr. Mali has served as principal investigator for global sponsors across the most active areas of retina drug development.

  • AllerganPrincipal investigator

    SEQUOIA

    Safety and efficacy of abicipar pegol in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

  • RegeneronPrincipal investigator

    PANORAMA

    Intravitreal aflibercept for moderately severe to severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

  • SantenPrincipal investigator

    DE-109

    Intravitreal sirolimus (440 µg) for active, non-infectious uveitis of the posterior segment.

  • Chengdu KanghongPrincipal investigator

    KHB-1801

    Multicenter, dose-ranging study of conbercept in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

  • OptheaPrincipal investigator

    OPT-302-1004

    OPT-302 in combination with ranibizumab versus ranibizumab alone in neovascular AMD.

Thought leadership

An editorial advisory board member for Ocular Surgery News, Modern Retina, HCPLive and Ophthalmology 360, and a regular author for Ophthalmology Times since 2015 and Healio since 2018.

He served as Program Chair of Retina Summit 2022 and as Medical Director of the Macular Degeneration Association.

Clinical expertise

Board-certified in ophthalmology and fellowship-trained in medical and surgical vitreoretinal disease, Dr. Mali uses advanced surgical techniques and technology to care for patients with complex retinal conditions.

  • Macular degeneration

    Neovascular AMD, geographic atrophy and next-generation therapies.

  • Diabetic eye disease

    Diabetic retinopathy and macular edema, including sustained-release steroid implants.

  • Uveitis

    Non-infectious posterior uveitis and emerging treatments.

  • Retinal vascular disease

    Retinal vein and artery occlusions.

  • Vitreoretinal surgery

    Retinal detachment, trauma, intraocular foreign bodies and complex surgical cases.

  • Innovation in retina

    Artificial intelligence, biosimilars, drug delivery and home monitoring.

About Dr. Joshua Mali

Chief executive, retina surgeon, investigator, author, broadcaster and inventor, with a career built on raising the standard of retinal care.

Dr. Joshua Mali is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mali Enterprises, which he established in 2018. Under his leadership the company advises pharmaceutical, medical device, AI and investor clients on ophthalmology and retina, has brought the Mali Eyeglass Holder to market, and helped develop the SNAPS Eyeshield.

He is also a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained retina specialist with Delaware Valley Retina Associates, and a vitreoretinal surgeon on the medical staff of the Specialized Surgical Center of Central New Jersey. He previously practiced for nine years with The Eye Associates in Sarasota, Florida, and with Paul Phillips Eye & Surgery Center in New Jersey.

He trained at Albany Medical College, where his peers and faculty elected him Chief Resident, and completed his surgical vitreoretinal fellowship at Albany Medical College and Retina Consultants while serving as an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. In 2015 he became one of the first retina specialists in the United States to inject ILUVIEN, a sustained-release implant for diabetic macular edema.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, he serves the Board as an oral examiner and was invited to its 2024 Content Outline Committee. He was named a Fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialists in 2021, and has appeared on PBS, NBC and ABC, hosted the Healio podcast Eye Care Insider, and hosts The Retina Project video series.

  • Vitreoretinal fellowshipAlbany Medical College and Retina Consultants
  • Ophthalmology residency, Chief ResidentAlbany Medical College
  • Doctor of MedicineWest Virginia University School of Medicine
  • BA in Biology, summa cum laudeWest Virginia University, University Honors Scholar

Awards and recognition

  1. 2025

    Castle Connolly Top Doctor

  2. 2025

    Distinguished Alumnus, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

    West Virginia University

  3. 2023

    Healio Honors

    Recognizing healthcare professionals who go above and beyond for their patients and their field.

  4. 2022

    American Academy of Ophthalmology LEO Award

  5. 2021

    Fellow of the American Society of Retina Specialists

  6. 2023

    Champions of Healthcare Award Finalist

  7. 2022

    Gold Quill Award

  8. 2022 and 2018

    ASRS Winning Pitch, Honorable Mention

    American Society of Retina Specialists innovation competition.

  9. 2020

    America’s Top Ophthalmologist

  10. 2019

    AAO Global ONE Network Surgical Video Award

    Following the ONE Network Editor’s Choice Award in 2018.

  11. 2019

    West Virginia University Homecoming Parade Marshal

  12. 2018

    Outstanding Alumnus, WVU Department of Biology

  13. 2018

    Marquis Who’s Who in America Lifetime Achievement Award

  14. 2015

    ASRS Innovative Retina Surgical Video Series

    Featured video, and winner of the Vit-Buckle Society travel grant video contest.

Leadership roles

  • Mali EnterprisesFounder and Chief Executive Officer, since 2018
  • American Board of OphthalmologyOral board examiner; 2024 Content Outline Committee
  • Macular Degeneration AssociationMedical Director, 2018–2022
  • Retina Summit 2022Program Chair

Editorial roles

  • Ocular Surgery NewsEditorial advisory board, since 2020
  • Modern RetinaEditorial advisory board, since 2020
  • Ophthalmology TimesRegular contributing author, since 2015
  • HCPLiveEditorial advisory board, since 2020
  • Ophthalmology 360Editorial advisory board, since 2021
  • Healio and Ocular Surgery NewsRegular contributing author, since 2018

Selected publications and presentations

  • Endogenous endophthalmitis with iris abscess after routine dental cleaning

    JAMA Ophthalmology, 2015

  • Effectiveness of 190 µg fluocinolone acetonide and 700 µg dexamethasone intravitreal implants in diabetic macular edema using the area-under-the-curve method: the CONSTANT analysis

    Clinical Ophthalmology, 2020; ASRS Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2019

  • SNAPS Eye Shield: creating the gold standard for postoperative ocular protection

    Modern Retina, 2023

  • Treatment of refractory acute retinal necrosis with intravenous foscarnet or cidofovir

    Ocular Immunology and Inflammation, 2016

  • Removal of a large metallic intraocular foreign body

    AAO ONE Network, Editor’s Choice and Global ONE Network awards

  • Choosing the optimal corticosteroid for DME prior to the fluocinolone acetonide implant

    ASRS Annual Meeting, Vancouver, 2018

  • Micro-Sized Wonders: ILUVIEN

    Image of the Month, The Ophthalmologist, 2018

  • Effect of agalsidase beta on corneal verticillata in Fabry disease

    AAO Annual Meeting, 2015; Journal of Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, 2016

  • Argon laser punctal stenosis in contact lens–induced dry eye

    Eye & Contact Lens, 2010
See Dr. Mali’s full publication list on Doximity

Service to others

Dr. Mali has performed cataract surgery as a volunteer surgeon for Medical Ministry International in southern Mexico, and traveled with the Bahá’í-inspired Health for Humanity to deliver medical supplies and care to a hospital serving an impoverished area of Managua, Nicaragua. He has served as a volunteer ophthalmologist with Remote Area Medical, volunteered with the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind and Camp Abilities with the Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind, and mentored a NASA and FIRST-sponsored robotics team.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Dr. Mali and Mali Enterprises.

Who is Dr. Joshua Mali?

Joshua Mali, MD, FASRS is an award-winning, board-certified retina specialist and vitreoretinal surgeon, and the Founder and CEO of Mali Enterprises. He is a key opinion leader in retina, the author of the annual Top 5 in Ophthalmology, a patented inventor and a TV and film medical expert featured on PBS, NBC and ABC.

What does Mali Enterprises do?

Mali Enterprises, founded in 2018 and led by Dr. Mali, advises pharmaceutical, medical device, AI and investor clients on ophthalmology and retina, develops ophthalmic innovations such as the SNAPS Eyeshield and the Mali Eyeglass Holder, and provides medical media expertise.

How does Dr. Mali help investors and companies?

Dr. Mali provides investment due diligence, market and competitive landscape briefings, AI and digital health strategy, advisory board and KOL engagement, clinical development strategy, commercialization insight, expert consultations and keynote talks focused on ophthalmology and retina.

What is Dr. Mali’s Top 5 in Ophthalmology?

Since 2016, Dr. Mali has published his Top 5 predictions for the year ahead in ophthalmology in Ophthalmology Times, a decade-long annual series covering trends such as anti-VEGF therapies, biosimilars, geographic atrophy treatments and artificial intelligence.

What is the SNAPS Eyeshield?

SNAPS is a patented, FDA-registered Class I tapeless postoperative eye shield co-developed by Dr. Mali with Intermed Labs at Mon Health. It clips onto small adhesive anchors and flips open for exams or eye drops without removing anything from the face.

How do I contact Dr. Mali?

For advisory, consulting, investor, media and speaking inquiries, email malienterprisesglobal@gmail.com.

Work with Mali Enterprises

Joshua Mali, MD, FASRS · Founder & CEO

For investor and industry advisory engagements, due diligence, AI and digital health strategy, advisory boards, product and device collaborations, clinical trials, media and speaking invitations, contact Dr. Mali directly.

Email malienterprisesglobal@gmail.com

Please don’t send personal medical information by email. If you have a sudden change in vision or another urgent eye concern, contact your eye doctor or seek emergency care right away.