Doctorate for Visionary in Optometric Care and Research

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From the bustling cityscape of Mumbai in India to the hallowed halls of academia, Dr Neha Chaurasia’s journey to become a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Optometry is a powerful story of perseverance, vision and a deep commitment to public eye health. 

Chaurasia’s early years were spent in Mumbai where she attended Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy High School, Kishinchand Chellaram College, and the Lotus College of Optometry laying the foundation for what would become a remarkable career in eye care. 

Throughout her educational journey, one figure remained constant - her mother. ‘She has been my pillar of support,’ says Chaurasia. ‘It was her encouragement and belief in me that pushed me to pursue Optometry.’ 

This passion and familial encouragement culminated in her PhD research at UKZN under the supervision of Professor Vanessa Raquel Moodley and co-supervision of Professor Khathethselo Percy Mashige. Titled: “Development of a District-Based Keratoconus Screening Model for Mumbai, India”, her study tackled a pressing, often-overlooked issue: early detection of keratoconus (KC) in school-aged children. 

Using a mixed-methods approach, Chaurasia evaluated over 3 800 secondary school children in Mumbai, combining quantitative assessments such as corneal topography with qualitative interviews of key stakeholders. Her findings were revealing - certain demographic groups, such as 12- to 17-year-old girls, Muslim children and those with allergies or a history of eye rubbing, showed a higher risk of developing keratoconus. Furthermore, her research demonstrated that current school screening programmes, which primarily focus on visual acuity, often failed to detect KC at its earliest and most treatable stages. 

In response, she developed the Keratoconus Screening Model (KSM) - a scalable and district-based framework that integrates the Keratoconus Risk Investigative Survey (KRIS), risk scoring and clinical tools to identify high-risk children. With moderate accuracy (69% sensitivity, 66% specificity), KRIS has proved to be a valuable screening tool and a potential game-changer for school health services not only in Mumbai but across similar urban centres. 

Today, Chaurasia wears many hats. She is a consultant optometrist at Adarsh Optometric Clinic, a trainer and consultant at OptiConsultME.com, and a visiting faculty member at Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University. Her passion extends beyond clinical and academic work - she is active in the optometry community through her podcasts with eye care professionals, advocating for increased awareness and recognition of optometry as a vital healthcare discipline. 

Looking ahead, Chaurasia aims to deepen her impact through research and development in speciality eye care services, focusing particularly on keratoconus, contact lenses, and low vision care. She is equally committed to advancing the optometry profession through teaching, mentorship and innovation. 

Words: MaryAnn Francis

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini