Ami Shah Vira, MD, FACS


Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
Ami Shah Vira, MD is a Board-Certified Opthalmologist in Cedar Park Texas, at U.S. Dermatology Partners. Her services include Botox, Skin Cancer & more!
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Accepting New Patients
Accepting New Patients

 

Dr. Ami Shah Vira, MD serves as an expert resource for the central Texas region with a focus on ocular Mohs closures. She is board-certified in ophthalmology and fellowship trained in oculoplastics.

Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. While at IIT, she played collegiate soccer. After graduating medical school, she completed a rigorous internship in internal medicine at Banner Good Samaritan in Phoenix, Arizona. She then completed her ophthalmology surgical residency at the University of Arizona, where she served as chief resident. After residency, she completed a highly competitive two-year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastics at the highly regarded Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

In addition to oculoplastics, she specializes in neuro-ophthalmological procedures with a particular expertise in thyroid eye disease, orbital decompression, double vision (strabismus), idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) and optic nerve sheath fenestrations. Dr. Shah Vira also specializes in all facets of oculoplastic surgery including upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), brow lifts, and mid facelifts. Dr. Shah Vira is committed to giving every patient fantastic, natural, and lasting results.

Dr. Ami Shah Vira is board certified with the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society, Fellow of American College of Surgeons, and Austin Ophthalmology Society. She has been voted as a Top Doctor Rising Star in Texas and as Austin Top Doctors.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, and playing the piano.

Dr. Ami Shah Vira will practice at U.S. Dermatology Partners Cedar Park and is accepting new patients. Contact our office today to book your appointment!

Specialties and Affiliations
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons
  • North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • Austin Ophthalmological Society

Clinic Locations

U.S. Dermatology Partners Cedar Park
U.S. Dermatology Partners Cedar Park

1515 Medical Pkwy
Bldg 1, #100
Cedar Park, TX 78613

(512) 260-5860

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Services Offered By Ami Shah Vira, MD

What Is Basal Cell Carcinoma?

Basal Cell Carcinoma, also known as basalioma or basal cell cancer, is the most common type of skin cancer and carries the least amount of risk, though it still requires attention. If caught and treated early, basal cell carcinomas are not likely to be life-threatening, but they do have the potential to cause disfigurement of the skin tissue.

Almost one million new cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed each year in the U.S., and up to 30% of Caucasians may develop basal cell carcinomas in their lifetime.

Basal cell carcinoma treatment

Basal cell carcinoma can be treated by removing the affected area.

Skin cancer is considered low risk when the affected cells remain clustered in a single group. Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are rarely life-threatening. Though it is unlikely to spread to other parts of your body, if left untreated, basal cell carcinoma can move into nearby bone or other tissue.

Basal cell carcinoma typically begins as a small, shiny bump on the face, although it can occur on any part of the body.

What is Merkel Cell Carcinoma?

Skin cancer is a common concern in the U.S.  Estimates reported by the American Academy of Dermatology suggest one in five people in the U.S. will develop some form of skin cancer. Merkel cell carcinoma is among the rarest forms of skin cancer, wherein estimates by the Skin Cancer Foundation suggest that only one in 130,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with Merkel cell carcinoma. Like melanoma, Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer with a high mortality rate.  As with most potentially aggressive malignancies, early detection is the best way to decrease the risk of death associated with Merkel cell carcinoma. You can learn more about diagnosis and treatment options for Merkel cell carcinoma on this page.

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare form of skin cancer that arises from Merkel cells, cells that reside deeper in the skin and function to send ‘touch’ signals from outside the skin to the inside of the body.  The diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma is ultimately made by an assessment under the microscope after a skin biopsy has been performed.  Skin biopsies are interpreted by dermatopathologists, doctors who specialize in evaluating skin under the microscope.  Dermatopathologists are well equipped to make this diagnosis accurately when skin tissue is submitted in a biopsy specimen.  Unfortunately, when Merkel cells become cancerous, they also become aggressive.  Merkel cell carcinoma can metastasize (spread) quickly, making it one of the most aggressive types of cancer.  While treatment for Merkel cell carcinoma may be successful, even with treatment Merkel cell carcinoma may evade what appears to be disease remission, and recur.

 

What Is Sebaceous Carcinoma?

A rare and aggressive form of skin cancer, sebaceous carcinoma is sometimes referred to as sebaceous gland carcinoma, sebaceous gland adenocarcinoma or meibomian gland carcinoma.

Sebaceous carcinoma can develop in any sebaceous glands, which lubricate the skin, but it most often begins on or around the eyelids. If it is found and treated early, treatment is often successful. However, if sebaceous carcinoma spreads, it can be deadly.

Because sebaceous carcinoma can appear to be a benign growth such as a stye, diagnosis is often delayed, which increases the risk of death. If you notice a growth on your eyelid, it’s important to make an appointment with your dermatologist. The sooner sebaceous carcinoma is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome.

32-year-old cosmetologist presented with 3-month history of treatment for presumed chalazion. A) The left upper eyelid showed 2 mm of ptosis with swelling. B) Focal loss of eye lashes was appreciated (arrow).” (source: “Early Onset of Sebaceous Carcinoma” by Dr. Debashis Ghosh, creative commons license)

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. with more than 3.5 million cases diagnosed each year.

Skin cancer is the result of uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells that takes place when skin cells suffer DNA damage and then mutate, causing them to multiply rapidly and form malignant (cancerous) tumors. Most skin cancers develop on the visible outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), particularly on sun-exposed areas such as the face, head, hands, arms and legs. They are usually easy to detect with a skin examination, which increases the chances of early diagnosis.

There are different types of skin cancer, each named for the type of skin cell from which they originate. The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma. Almost one million new cases of basal cell carcinoma are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Most skin cancers fall into one of three categories:

There are often warning signs that cancer is developing. The most common are pre-cancerous lesions called actinic keratoses that often develop on sun-exposed areas. These tumors replace normal surrounding tissue and generally do not spread to other areas.

Skin cancer is considered low risk when the affected cells remain clustered in a single group. Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are rarely life-threatening.

Skin cancer is considered a high risk when cells have invaded surrounding tissues. The third most common skin cancer, malignant melanoma, can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early.

If skin cancer is detected before it has spread to surrounding tissues, the chances of a complete recovery and cure are excellent. High-risk forms of cancer like melanoma require more aggressive treatments.

Doctor removing mole from a patient's shoulder.

Suspicious moles should be watched closely, as they might indicate a cancerous growth.

What Is Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

Squamous Cell Carcinoma is a common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that make up the outer layer of the skin. Although it is usually not life-threatening, it can be aggressive in some cases.

If left untreated, squamous cell carcinoma can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.

Dermatologist examining male patient's skin for signs of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Your dermatologist will be able to examine your skin for signs of squamous cell carcinoma.

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags are small, soft skin growths that can occur anywhere on the body but are most common on the eyelids, neck, armpits, groin folds and under the breasts. They are harmless but they can be annoying, particularly if they are in an area where they are rubbed on by clothing. They may be flesh-colored, pink or may darken.

Dermatologist examines a skin tags of patient, close up.

Skin tags are small, soft growths that can be skin-colored, pink, or may darken.

What Is Blepharoplasty?

Blepharoplasty is also known as eyelid surgery or an eyelid lift. It is done to remove excess skin and fat in the upper eyelids. While most blepharoplasty patients are female (85% of blepharoplasty procedures in the US in 2014 were performed on women), more and more men are also seeing the benefits of tightening sagging skin around the eyes.

Blepharoplasty procedure before and after

Blepharoplasty, or an eyelid lift, removes excess skin and fat from the upper eyelids.

Understanding Scar Development & How to Address These Skin Flaws

We all want healthy, beautiful skin. But scars, a natural part of the healing process, leave a lasting mark and cause some people to struggle with the negative impact on the appearance of their skin and in some cases, limitations in function or other concerns. If you’re unhappy with the appearance, texture, or health of your skin after an injury, surgery, or other damage that leads to scarring, the U.S. Dermatology Partners team can offer treatment to improve the appearance of scarring.

A scar on a woman's back.

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