Medicare Enrolled
Dr. Ayham Skaf, M.D.
Ophthalmology · Chula Vista, CA
Practice pattern: Mixed Practice
— Diverse clinical practice across multiple procedure types
Speaking/Promotional
Very High
DATA COVERAGE
Data in 4 of 4 federal sources
Measures public federal data availability — not provider quality
Informational, not a quality rating.
This page presents federal public records about Dr. Skaf from CMS (NPPES, Open Payments, Medicare Provider Utilization, PECOS). It is not medical advice, an endorsement, or a judgment of clinical quality. Always consult the provider directly and a licensed clinician for medical decisions. Read methodology →
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What this data tells you about Dr. Skaf
Dr. Ayham Skaf is an ophthalmology specialist in Chula Vista, CA, with 17 years of NPI registration. Based on federal Medicare data, Dr. Skaf performed 9,519 Medicare services across 4,986 unique beneficiaries.
Between the years covered by Open Payments, Dr. Skaf received a total of $126,009 from 39 pharmaceutical and/or device companies across 484 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common in ophthalmology. The majority of payments are for speaking programs and promotional activities, reflecting participation in industry-sponsored events. Patients may wish to discuss these relationships with their provider.
The Data Coverage level for Dr. Skaf is Very High — reflecting how much public federal data is available about this provider. Patients are encouraged to use this data as one of several factors when choosing a healthcare provider.
✓ 17 years in practice
▲ Top 10% volume in CA
$126,009 industry payments
Medicare Practice Summary
Medicare Utilization ↗9,519
Medicare services
Top 10% in CA for ophthalmology
4,986
Unique beneficiaries
$83
Avg. Medicare payment
Medicare patients only (65+ / disabled) · How to read this →
~560 Medicare services per year of practice
Top procedures by volume
Ranked by number of services performed for Medicare patients. Avg. submitted charge is what the provider billed; avg. Medicare payment is what CMS paid.
| Procedure | Volume | Avg. paid | Avg. submitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye injection (Vabysmo/faricimab) An injection of faricimab-svoa, a medication administered in 0.1 mg doses. |
2,700 | $29 | $41 |
| Retinal imaging (OCT scan) This procedure involves imaging the retina to visualize its structure. It is used to examine the back of the eye. |
1,419 | $32 | $100 |
| Comprehensive eye exam, established patient A comprehensive examination of the visual system performed for a patient who has previously been seen by the provider. |
1,050 | $105 | $250 |
| Office visit, established patient (20-29 min) An office visit for an existing patient lasting between 20 and 29 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
772 | $49 | $120 |
| Retinal photography (fundus photo) This procedure involves taking photographs of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It is used to document the condition of the eye's interior structures. |
584 | $29 | $125 |
| Eye injection for retinal disease A procedure involving the administration of medication directly into the eye. |
439 | $86 | $800 |
| Retinal angiography with dye injection This procedure uses a special camera to examine the blood vessels in the retina after a dye has been injected into the body. |
330 | $114 | $190 |
| Dexamethasone intravitreal implant injection An injection of a dexamethasone implant placed inside the eye. This procedure delivers medication directly into the vitreous cavity of the eye. |
252 | $157 | $300 |
| Aflibercept eye injection (Eylea) | 242 | $690 | $2,000 |
| Optic nerve imaging (OCT scan) Imaging of the optic nerve. |
228 | $27 | $100 |
| Eye exam, established patient, focused A limited examination of the visual system for an existing patient. The provider focuses on a specific eye-related concern or symptom. |
212 | $76 | $145 |
| Compounded drug, not otherwise classified A medication prepared specifically for an individual patient by a pharmacist or physician, tailored to meet unique needs that cannot be fulfilled by commercially available products. |
212 | $68 | $325 |
| Office visit, established patient (30-39 min) A follow-up office visit for an existing patient lasting between 30 and 39 minutes. The visit involves medical evaluation and management of the patient's condition. |
202 | $89 | $176 |
| Comprehensive eye exam, new patient A comprehensive examination of the visual system performed for a new patient. |
190 | $104 | $250 |
| Corneal topography and eye depth measurement This procedure measures the curvature and depth of the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye. |
175 | $33 | $150 |
| Cataract surgery with lens implant Surgical removal of the clouded natural lens of the eye and replacement with an artificial prosthetic lens to restore vision. |
169 | $450 | $2,500 |
| Visual field test, extended A test that maps your complete field of vision to detect blind spots or peripheral vision loss. Extended testing provides a more detailed assessment than a standard visual field exam. |
97 | $43 | $180 |
| Tear duct plug insertion A procedure to insert a small plug into the tear duct opening to help retain tears on the eye surface. |
70 | $180 | $583 |
| Laser removal of recurring cataract A laser procedure to remove a recurring cataract within the lens capsule. |
41 | $282 | $900 |
| New patient office visit (45-59 min) An initial office visit for a new patient lasting between 45 and 59 minutes. This code covers the total time spent by the physician or qualified healthcare professional on the date of the encounter. |
41 | $104 | $260 |
| Ultrasound scan of cornea to determine thickness An ultrasound procedure used to measure the thickness of the cornea. |
21 | $9 | $100 |
| Vitreous removal between lens and retina This procedure involves the removal of the vitreous fluid located between the lens and the retina of the eye. |
16 | $704 | $3,000 |
| Retinal laser treatment for leaking blood vessels This procedure uses a laser to seal leaking blood vessels in the retina. It is performed to prevent vision loss caused by fluid leakage from damaged retinal vessels. |
16 | $289 | $1,800 |
| Retinal laser destruction of growth A laser procedure used to destroy abnormal growths in the retina. |
15 | $443 | $1,200 |
| Eye drainage system examination An examination of the internal drainage system of the eye to assess how fluid flows and drains from the eye. |
15 | $22 | $60 |
| Retinal membrane and internal limiting membrane removal A surgical procedure to remove a membrane from the retina along with the internal limiting membrane of the retina. |
11 | $965 | $3,500 |
How to read this data: This reflects Medicare patients only (typically 65+). Payment amounts are what Medicare paid the provider, not your out-of-pocket cost. A higher procedure volume generally indicates more experience with that procedure.
1.8% high complexity
59.2% medium
39.1% routine
Industry Payment Transparency
Open Payments through 2024 ↗$126,009
Total received (2018-2024)
Avg $18,001/year across 7 years
Top 4% in CA for ophthalmology
A higher payment rank reflects disclosed industry relationships (consulting, research, speaking) common among subspecialists — not wrongdoing.
39
Companies
484
Individual payments
All payments are legal and publicly reported · Not evidence of wrongdoing · How to interpret →
Payment profile
Industry payments classified by relationship type. Not all payments are equal — research and consulting reflect different relationships than speaking programs or meals.
Speaking / Promotional
Speaker programs, honoraria, and industry-sponsored educational events
$93,810 (74.4%)
Consulting
Expert advisory fees, typically reflecting recognized clinical expertise
$20,219 (16.0%)
Meals & Travel
Food, beverages, travel, and lodging — typically low-value
$11,981 (9.5%)
Payment trend by year
Annual totals from pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
2024
$17,404
2023
$20,200
2022
$17,937
2021
$10,421
2020
$11,520
2019
$38,002
2018
$10,526
Payments by company (2024)
Consulting
Speaking
Meals & Travel
Research
ABBVIE INC.
$12,474
Alimera Sciences, Inc.
$2,826
Alcon Vision LLC
$761
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$218
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$208
Glaukos Corporation
$176
Sight Sciences, Inc.
$150
Oyster Point Pharma, Inc.
$146
Genentech USA, Inc.
$144
BIOTISSUE HOLDINGS INC.
$118
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$94
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$33
Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc.
$32
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$23
Top 3 companies account for 92.3% of 2024 payments
All-time payments by company (2018-2024) ›
ABBVIE INC.
$28,288
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
$23,308
Allergan, Inc.
$15,230
Allergan Inc.
$13,285
Alimera Sciences, Inc.
$12,980
AbbVie Inc.
$11,572
Alcon Vision LLC
$7,020
EyePoint Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.
$2,054
Glaukos Corporation
$2,026
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$1,375
Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$1,347
Bausch & Lomb, a division of Bausch Health US, LLC
$758
Genentech USA, Inc.
$613
Oyster Point Pharma, Inc.
$598
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$575
Mallinckrodt Hospital Products Inc.
$544
TissueTech, Inc.
$530
NEW WORLD MEDICAL,INC.
$427
Bausch & Lomb Americas Inc.
$411
Ivantis, Inc
$360
Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$335
Sight Sciences, Inc.
$300
Dutch Ophthalmic, USA
$298
Astellas Pharma US Inc
$290
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$208
Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc.
$194
Alcon Laboratories Inc
$176
Horizon Therapeutics plc
$138
Regeneron Healthcare Solutions, Inc.
$133
Coherus Biosciences Inc.
$125
BIOTISSUE HOLDINGS INC.
$118
AbbVie, Inc.
$110
BIOTRONIK INC.
$69
Shire North American Group Inc
$46
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
$42
Optos, Inc.
$40
Thea Pharma Inc.
$35
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
$33
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation
$19
Top 3 companies account for 53.0% of all-time payments
Associated products mentioned in payments ›
ACTHAR · ARGOS · AcrySof · AcrySof IQ PanOptix · AcrySof IQ VIVITY IOL · Ahmed Glaucoma Valve · BEOVU · BESIVANCE · BIOMONITOR · BRIDION · CEQUA · COMBIGAN · Centurion · Cequa · Cimerli · Clareon · DEXYCU · DUREZOL · DURYSTA · EVA · EVA Ophthalmic Surgical System · EYLEA · EYSUVIS · HYDRUS Microstent · Humira · Hydrus · Hydrus Microstent · ILUVIEN · INVELTYS · IYUZEH · Iluvien · Izervay · Kahook Dual Blade · LUMIGAN · Luxor · MIEBO · OMNI SURGICAL SYSTEM · OMNI(R) SURGICAL SYSTEM (US) · OZURDEX · PANORAMIC OPHTHALMOSCOPE · PURIFIED CORTROPHIN GEL · PanOptix · Prokera · RESTASIS MULTIDOSE · ReSTOR · Rhopressa · Rocklatan · SIMBRINZA · STELLARIS · STELLARIS PC · SUSVIMO · Simbrinza · Stellaris · Susvimo · Syfovre · TEPEZZA · TRAVATAN Z · TYRVAYA · Tecnis Multifocal Family of 1-piece IOLS · Tecnis iTec Preloaded Delivery System · VABYSMO · VUITY · VYZULTA · Vabysmo · Whitestart Phacoemulsficiation System · XDEMVY · XEN GLAUCOMA TREATMENT SYSTEM · XIIDRA · XIPERE · YUTIQ · combined machine · iDose · iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent System · iStent inject Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent System · rhopressa · rocklatan
Should you be concerned? Payments from pharmaceutical and device companies are legal and common — 57% of U.S. physicians receive at least one. They often reflect legitimate consulting, research, or education. What matters is whether a recommended drug or device appears in your doctor's payment records. If so, consider asking your doctor about it. How to interpret this data →
The majority of payments (74%) are for speaking programs and promotional activities, which reflect participation in industry-sponsored educational or marketing events. This is common in ophthalmology and does not inherently indicate bias, but patients may wish to be aware. Total industry engagement is in the top 4% for ophthalmology in CA.
Geographic Context
Ophthalmologists within 10 mi
238
Per 100K population
7.2
County median income
$102,285
Nearest hospital
SHARP CHULA VISTA MEDICAL CENTER
0.0 mi
0.0 mi
Data Sources
| Provider Registry | ✓ NPPES | Weekly updates |
| Medicare Enrollment | ✓ PECOS | Monthly updates |
| Practice Data | ✓ Medicare Util. | Annual (CY lag) |
| Industry Payments | ✓ Open Payments | CY 2024 |
| Disciplinary History | — Not public | N/A |
This provider has data in 4 of 4 available federal datasets, with a Data Coverage level of Very High. This reflects how much public data is available about a provider. How we calculate this →
Summary
Dr. Skaf is a mixed practice specialist, with above-average Medicare volume (top 10% in CA), with speaking/promotional industry engagement in the top 4% of CA peers, with 17 years of NPI registration.
This summary is auto-generated from federal data, describing data availability and patterns. Read our methodology →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dr. Skaf experienced with eye injection (vabysmo/faricimab)?
Based on Medicare claims data, Dr. Skaf performed 2,700 eye injection (vabysmo/faricimab) services. Research suggests that higher procedure volume is often associated with better outcomes, particularly for complex procedures. Note that Medicare data only captures patients aged 65 and older, so the total practice volume across all patients is likely higher.
Does Dr. Skaf receive payments from pharmaceutical companies?
Yes. Dr. Skaf received a total of $126,009 from 39 companies across 484 individual payments. These payments are legal, publicly disclosed under the federal Sunshine Act, and common among physicians — 57% of all U.S. physicians receive at least one industry payment. Patients may wish to ask their doctor about these relationships, especially if a recommended drug or device appears in the payment records.
How do Dr. Skaf's costs compare to other ophthalmologists in Chula Vista?
Dr. Skaf's average Medicare payment per service is $83. Note that these figures represent what Medicare pays, not your out-of-pocket cost, which depends on your specific insurance plan and deductible. Procedure-level data above shows both what was submitted and what Medicare paid for each service type.
What does Data Coverage mean?
Data Coverage (currently Very High for Dr. Skaf) measures how much public federal data is available about a provider. It is not a quality rating. A "Very High" or "High" level means the provider has data across multiple federal sources (NPPES, PECOS, Medicare Utilization, Open Payments), indicating a long track record of practice, Medicare participation, and industry disclosure. A "Low" or "Moderate" level may simply mean the provider is newer, does not see Medicare patients, or has not received any industry payments — none of which are inherently negative. Read our full methodology →
Is this data up to date?
Each data source has its own update cycle. Provider registry data (NPPES) is updated weekly. Medicare enrollment (PECOS) is updated monthly. Medicare practice data has a ~2 year lag — the most recent available is typically 2 years prior. Industry payment data (Open Payments) is published annually, usually in June, covering the prior calendar year. We display the data date prominently on each section so you always know how current it is. See our data freshness policy →
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About this page
All data on this page is sourced verbatim from public federal records published by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): NPPES ↗, Open Payments ↗, Medicare Provider Utilization ↗, and PECOS. Publication is mandated by the Physician Payments Sunshine Act (§6002 ACA, 42 U.S.C. §1320a-7h) and the Freedom of Information Act.
This page is not medical advice, an endorsement, a recommendation, or a quality rating. Data Coverage reflects data completeness — how much federal information exists for this provider — not clinical performance, patient outcomes, or quality of care. Always verify information directly with the provider and consult a licensed clinician before making medical decisions.
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