Dr R.V. Azad

Prof. Rajvardhan Azad MBBS, MD (Ophth.), FRCSed, FICS, FAMS, FAAPPO clinician, academician, educator and researcher Prof. (Dr.) Rajvardhan Azad embodies these qualities with a self-assurance that comes through expertise and experience in the field of eye care for over 40 years. He has an MD in Ophthalmology from the Dr. R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. His commitment to teaching, research and patient care elevated him to the post of faculty, then Professor and then Chief of the Dr. R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS ( ). He is a Fellow of Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh (FRCS), Academy of Medical Sciences (FAMS), Royal Society of Medicine (FRSM), International College of Surgeons (FICS) and Academy of Asia Pacific Professors in Ophthalmology ( AAPPO). He was Advisor (Ophthalmology) to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and Armed Forces Medical Services and Vision 2020 India. He is currently Advisor to Ministry of Health , Government of India on National Task Force on ROP and also to State Key Laboratory which is the main research hub for ophthalmology in Guangzhou, China. Prof Azad also Honorary Professor of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. He is Chairman and Director of an Eye Hospital in his home state Patna Bihar- Raj Retina and Eye Care Centre and senior consultant and Director ROP services in Bharti Eye Hospital , in New Delhi. Prof Azad is also Secretary General of Saarc Academy of Ophthalmology (SAO) and is the main driving force behind revival of SAO which began from Srilanka in 2007. He introduced the fellowship programme subspeciality of ophthalmologist in Saarc region incollaboration with International of Ophthalmology (ICO) for young ophthalmologist called ICO Saarc fellowship and has been regularly participating & organizing the Academic meeting of SAO and Srilankan College of Ophthalmologist. He is also Regional Secretary of Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO). He is a vitreo-retina surgeon with parexcellence special interest in Ped retina and ROP and has original contributions in Ocular Trauma, Retinal detachment surgery Diabetic Retinopathy, ARMD, Vascular Occlusions. He also studied the role of Renin Angiotensin System (RAS) to understand the molecular basis of Pathogenesis of ROP, studied the role stem cells, VEGF in ROP and differential expression of genes ROP. Prof Azad research interest lead him into identifying new antiangiogenic drugs from Marine isolates in Rat model Retinopathy of Prematurity. He has original work on Retinoblastoma , transponder function in blood ocular barrier and Drug Delivary System. He has innovation include modified needle drainage for SRF drainage in Retinal detachment and ultrasound biomicroscopy UBM in late stages of ROP. These innovations have contributed immensely to better and more efficient surgical managements. Beside travelling extensively as Visiting Professor to numerous institutions, including the University of Texas Health Science Centre of Houston, USA, University of Toronto, Canada and Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Maldives (WHO). He has been External Examiner for under and post graduate students in over 20 universities in India and abroad. He has published 12 books, 200 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and over 60 chapters in books and periodicals. He serves on the Editorial Board and as Reviewer of the IJO, APJO, JAPOS, BJO, CEO, Eye, Journal of Ophthalmology Acta Ophthalmology and OJO. He is recipient many (more than 50) awards and oration in India and abroad including De O’campo Oration by APAO for achieving highest excellence in teaching and researches in Asia Pacific region and Dr. B.C. Roy National Award for Best Medical teacher in India. He was elected the first ever Indian President of Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology a body of more than 50,000 Ophthalmologists of World in 2013 which he relinquished in 2015. He is a named Honorary Physician to President of India.