Dr. Rohit Shetty is a distinguished cornea and refractive surgeon with over 20 years of experience in high-volume refractive surgery.
Known for his precision and clinical excellence, he has performed more than 55,000 refractive surgeries and nearly 22,000 collagen crosslinking procedures, making him one of the most experienced surgeons in this field.
His work focuses on delivering highly personalized vision correction using advanced laser technologies and evidence-based surgical approaches, helping patients achieve safer and more predictable outcomes.
Dr. Rohit Shetty is recognised as one of the top 10 keratoconus experts in the world. He has a deep clinical and research interest in keratoconus, a progressive corneal disorder that affects vision. His work has played a significant role in advancing the understanding of keratoconus as an inflammatory disease, reshaping how the condition is diagnosed and treated.
He has introduced several advanced treatment modalities to India, including Intacs and topography-guided laser treatments, and has pioneered innovative therapeutic strategies that have improved outcomes for thousands of patients with keratoconus.
In addition to his surgical expertise, Dr. Rohit Shetty is an internationally recognized clinical and translational scientist.
He serves as the Chair of Translational Research in Refractive Surgery and Corneal Diseases at Maastricht University, where he leads collaborative research aimed at bridging the gap between laboratory science and clinical practice.
As a faculty member at Maastricht University and a scientist at GROW Laboratories, he contributes to global advancements in corneal biology, refractive surgery, and ocular disease research, shaping the future of ophthalmology through innovation and scientific discovery.
Dr. Rohit Shetty is a visionary innovator dedicated to advancing ophthalmic science through multidisciplinary research.
He is the developer of the “Bio M Pathfinder,” the first point-of-care diagnostic kit designed to detect molecular biomarkers in clinical settings, enabling faster and more precise disease detection.
He has established several cutting-edge research and diagnostic facilities that foster collaboration between clinicians, scientists, and engineers, driving innovation and breakthroughs in vision science. These include:
These initiatives continue to drive groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements in ophthalmology and vision care.
Dr. Rohit Shetty has received numerous national and international honours in recognition of his clinical excellence, research contributions, and leadership in ophthalmology.
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He has been featured in "The Ophthalmologist Power List" among the Top 100 most influential ophthalmologists in the world for four consecutive years.
His contributions to refractive surgery were recognized with the prestigious Casebeer Award for outstanding achievements in the field.
Dr. Rohit Shetty has also received the Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) and the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO), acknowledging his impact on global ophthalmic education and research.
His work has been honoured nationally with awards such as the Aryabhatta International Award (2019) and the Col. Rangachari Award (2017).
In recognition of his global academic influence, he was invited to deliver a Special Keynote Lecture at the French Society of Ophthalmology in 2024, highlighting his pioneering research and innovations in corneal diseases and refractive surgery.
Dr. Rohit Shetty has played a significant role in strengthening community eye care across Karnataka through the extensive outreach activities of Narayana Nethralaya.
His leadership has directly contributed to large-scale community initiatives that provide free screenings, preventive care, and sight-restoring surgeries to underserved populations. These community programs highlight and recognize his commitment to expanding access to quality eye care for thousands of individuals across both rural and urban regions.
In addition to clinical outreach, Dr. Rohit Shetty’s influence on public health extends through his pioneering work in early disease detection using AI and advanced diagnostics—innovations specifically noted for improving access in underserved regions.
These efforts, combined with his mentorship of young doctors and researchers, have helped build a more robust ecosystem for community-centered ophthalmic care across Karnataka.
Community screening camps conducted across Karnataka & rural India
Free surgeries for economically disadvantaged patients
Public awareness programs on keratoconus, corneal diseases, and eye safety
Collaborations with NGOs, schools, and local health missions for early detection initiatives
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