An optical receiver comprising: a photodetector configured to: receive an optical signal; convert the optical signal into a current signal; and output the current signal at an amplifier input node; amplifier circuitry (104, 204) coupled to the amplifier input node and configured to: receive the current signal at the amplifier input node; convert the current signal received at the amplifier input node to a voltage signal; and output the voltage signal at an amplifier output node; characterized in an overload circuitry (106, 206) coupled to the amplifier input node and configured to: receive a replica DC input voltage at a first overload node, wherein the replica DC input voltage corresponds to a DC input voltage at the amplifier input node; receive a replica DC output voltage at a second overload node, wherein the replica DC output voltage corresponds to a DC output voltage at the amplifier output node; detect that a DC component of the current signal exceeds a first threshold level based on the replica DC input voltage and the replica DC output voltage; direct DC current of the current signal through a DC shunt path in response to and based on detecting that the DC component of the current signal exceeds the first threshold level; and direct AC current of the current signal through an AC shunt path in response to and based on detecting that shunted DC current passing through the DC shunt path exceeds a second threshold level, wherein the AC shunt path is different from the DC shunt path. a photodetector configured to: receive an optical signal; convert the optical signal into a current signal; and output the current signal at an amplifier input node; receive an optical signal; convert the optical signal into a current signal; and output the current signal at an amplifier input node; amplifier circuitry (104, 204) coupled to the amplifier input node and configured to: receive the current signal at the amplifier input node; convert the current signal received at the amplifier input node to a voltage signal; and output the voltage signal at an amplifier output node; characterized in an overload circuitry (106, 206) coupled to the amplifier input node and configured to: receive a replica DC input voltage at a first overload node, wherein the replica DC input voltage corresponds to a DC input voltage at the amplifier input node; receive a replica DC output voltage at a second overload node, wherein the replica DC output voltage corresponds to a DC output voltage at the amplifier output node; detect that a DC component of the current signal exceeds a first threshold level based on the replica DC input voltage and the replica DC output voltage; direct DC current of the current signal through a DC shunt path in response to and based on detecting that the DC component of the current signal exceeds the first threshold level; and direct AC current of the current signal through an AC shunt path in response to and based on detecting that shunted DC current passing through the DC shunt path exceeds a second threshold level, wherein the AC shunt path is different from the DC shunt path. receive the current signal at the amplifier input node; convert the current signal received at the amplifier input node to a voltage signal; and output the voltage signal at an amplifier output node; characterized in an overload circuitry (106, 206) coupled to the amplifier input node and configured to: receive a replica DC input voltage at a first overload node, wherein the replica DC input voltage corresponds to a DC input voltage at the amplifier input node; receive a replica DC output voltage at a second overload node, wherein the replica DC output voltage corresponds to a DC output voltage at the amplifier output node; detect that a DC component of the current signal exceeds a first threshold level based on the replica DC input voltage and the replica DC output voltage; direct DC current of the current signal through a DC shunt path in response to and based on detecting that the DC component of the current signal exceeds the first threshold level; and direct AC current of the current signal through an AC shunt path in response to and based on detecting that shunted DC current passing through the DC shunt path exceeds a second threshold level, wherein the AC shunt path is different from the DC shunt path. receive a replica DC input voltage at a first overload node, wherein the replica DC input voltage corresponds to a DC input voltage at the amplifier input node; receive a replica DC output voltage at a second overload node, wherein the replica DC output voltage corresponds to a DC output voltage at the amplifier output node; detect that a DC component of the current signal exceeds a first threshold level based on the replica DC input voltage and the replica DC output voltage; direct DC current of the current signal through a DC shunt path in response to and based on detecting that the DC component of the current signal exceeds the first threshold level; and direct AC current of the current signal through an AC shunt path in response to and based on detecting that shunted DC current passing through the DC shunt path exceeds a second threshold level, wherein the AC shunt path is different from the DC shunt path.