Rajeev Prasad
Senior Clinical Optometrist Based
Delhi NCR
India
Dr. Rajeev Prasad is a senior clinical optometrist based in the Delhi NCR region, with having additional specialty practices in Bihar and Jharkhand. He is recognized as a leading figure in the field of optometry, holding multiple leadership roles, including President of the Asia Pacific Council of Optometry, Secretary of the Indian Optometric Association and chairman of International Academy of Orthokeratology & Myopia Control – India. Dr. Prasad is also the founder of Eye Gurukul, a dynamic online learning platform for eye and vision care professionals.
Academic and Professional Background:
Dr. Prasad began his optometry journey at Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh, where he completed his foundational optometry training. He later pursued both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Optometry and became the second batch of Low Vision Fellows at the prestigious LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, in 2002. He was awarded a scholarship by Tata Group for his studies. In addition to his optometry qualifications, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Homeopathy (BHMS). He has also been awarded MCOptom by College of Optometrists, UK and Honorary Membership by American Optometry Association (USA). He is also Clinical Associate of Optometric Vision Development & Rehabilitation Association (USA).
Dr. Prasad further expanded his expertise through training in Japan and the US, where he focused on eye screening for special populations. He also served for five years as the Asia Pacific Director for Health at Special Olympics International, USA, working with athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Key Roles and Contributions:
• Leadership: Dr. Prasad is a prominent figure in global optometry leadership, serving on the board of directors of the World Council of Optometry and participating in the Public Health Committee. He is a part of the College of Syntonics, USA, as one of only two members from India. He is only Indian to represent at International Sports Vision Association (USA).
• Awards and Recognition: Dr. Prasad is the recipient of the highly prestigious “Optometrist of the Year” award in both 2018 and 2020, an honour that underscores his outstanding contributions to the field.
• Academic Contributions: Dr. Prasad is passionate about teaching and has held faculty positions, including being a Visiting Faculty at Chandigarh University, where he teaches Master’s students in Optometry. He has also conducted numerous workshops and presented at both national and international forums. He has conducted numerous workshops and was invited as speaker at All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) and Delhi Ophthalmological Society (DOS) and Women in Ophthalmology (WOS) and very prestigious World Congress of Paediatric Ophthalmology (WCSPOS V) at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Specialization:
Dr. Prasad is particularly known for his expertise in Low Vision Rehabilitation and has worked extensively in areas such as: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and stroke rehabilitation, adult amblyopia (lazy eye), Diabetic retinopathy and hypertensive maculopathy, Retinitis Pigmentosa & Macular Degeneration. He is also involved in Binocular Vision Therapy, Myopia Management, Orthokeratology, and Custom-Made Ocular Prosthesis.
Clinical Impact:
Dr. Prasad has made a significant impact in establishing Low Vision rehabilitation departments in multiple institutions, including at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh, Dr. Hedgewar Rugnalaya in Aurangabad, and the Vivekananda Medical Foundation & Research Centre in Latur, Maharashtra. These efforts have helped provide specialized care for patients with severe vision impairment and conditions that affect functional vision.
Conferences and Workshops:
As the organizing chairman of the first Asia Pacific Optometric Congress in 2023, held in Gurugram, India and APOC 2024 at Kathmandu, Nepal. Dr. Prasad has been instrumental in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among optometrists across Asia Pacific. He has led several workshops focused on Low Vision, Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation, Myopia Management, Speciality Contact Lens and specialty optometric practices and is a sought-after speaker at global conferences.
Personal Passion:
A major driving force behind Dr. Prasad’s career is his passion for improving vision care for underserved populations, particularly those with low vision due to conditions like stroke, diabetic retinopathy, and other serious eye disorders. His dedication to advancing the field of optometry and vision rehabilitation has made him a respected leader both in India and internationally.
