Dr. Rohit Shetty is a distinguished cornea and refractive surgeon and clinician-scientist with over 20 years of expertise in high-volume refractive surgery. His clinical work is centred at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute, where he serves as the Director and Head of Refractive Surgery, leading one of the most advanced refractive surgical units in the region.
He played a key role in introducing several advanced treatment modalities to India, including Intacs and topography-guided laser treatments, significantly expanding the scope of precision refractive surgery in the country.
Contributing to improved treatment outcomes for complex corneal conditions.
Dr. Rohit Shetty has a profound clinical interest in keratoconus, where his pioneering research has helped redefine the disease as an inflammatory disorder, leading to the development of medical management strategies aimed at stabilizing its progression.
Beyond corneal diseases, his clinical practice also addresses a wide spectrum of eye conditions, including dry eye disease, retinal conditions, myopia management, and glaucoma, enabling comprehensive and holistic eye care for patients across different age groups and clinical needs.
He was also among the first clinicians to apply Polarisation Sensitive OCT in a practical clinical setting, enabling deeper insights into corneal tissue structure and disease processes.
Described as a "mentor par excellence" in the field of ophthalmology. His mentorship is credited with building a robust academic and ethical foundation for future generations.
Chief Mentor for the Dual Academic Program (PhD & Clinical Fellowship), a collaborative initiative between Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute and Maastricht University.
Holds the position of Affiliated Professor and Chair of ‘Translational Research in Refractive Surgery and Corneal Diseases’ at Maastricht University (2025–2030).
Since 2003, trained over 100 residents for the Diplomate of the National Board (DNB).
Leads an extensive international mentorship program, guiding fellows from Germany, Austria, Canada, USA, Indonesia, Georgia, and Mexico in Cornea, Refractive Surgery, and Phacoemulsification.
Actively involves in supervising advanced research as a Thesis Promoter and Supervisor.
Utilizes modern technology to enhance surgical and clinical skills. Comprehensive training includes Wetlabs using animal eyes and skill enhancement through advanced VR-Magic surgery simulators.
Founded and leads hybrid teaching initiatives, including PIVOT (Personalized Interactive Virtual Ophthalmic Training Academy) and CROC (Customized Refractive Surgery and Optics Certificate Course).
Conducts regular Virtual Classes on ocular health and dry eye management.
Dr. Rohit Shetty’s dedication to teaching and academic excellence is continually recognized by major international bodies, solidifying his status as a premier global educator in ophthalmology.
For Dr. Rohit Shetty, every innovation is guided by one priority—his patients. A pioneer in modern ophthalmology, he adopts advanced technologies like Wavelight Plus and IVIS, along with procedures such as PRK, SILK, SMILE Pro, Contoura, and Femtosecond LASIK, while also shaping them through global collaborations with the companies that manufacture them. His focus remains on delivering safer, more precise, and personalized patient outcomes.
