Expertise in All Aspects of Eye Care

Of the five senses, some contend that eyesight is the most cherished. Experiencing the vibrant colors of a sunset, gazing upon loved ones, or even taking in a favorite sporting event is enhanced with clear vision. At some point in a person’s life, the need to consult with an eye-care specialist will arise. Whether the reason is a routine eye exam or to treat a condition or injury, it is important for people to seek trusted, accomplished professionals who specialize in the complicated facets of the eye.

Orlando Eye & Oculoplastics is the private practice of husband-and-wife team Deepak Raja, M.D., and Keshini Parbhu, M.D. In addition to being

board-certified ophthalmologists and members of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Raja and Parbhu have completed extensive training in the subspecialties of the cornea and oculoplastics, respectively.

Frequent visits to an ophthalmologist when he was young made an impact on Raja that would essentially guide him to a career in medicine.

“I wanted to be on the other side of the chair,” he said.

After earning an undergraduate degree at Duke University in Durham, N.C., Raja received his medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed an ophthalmology residency at Vanderbilt Eye Institute in Nashville, Tenn. Raja’s subspecialty enables him to effectively treat conditions of the cornea, iris and lens. He is a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the Cornea Society.

Also a Duke University graduate, Parbhu attended Vanderbilt University, where she completed her medical training, as well as a surgical internship and an ophthalmology residency. A professional distinction that sets Parbhu apart from her colleagues is her inclusion in the prestigious American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. She earned a place in this elite group, which numbers only 500 nationwide, by mastering a subspecialty in oculoplastics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Parbhu originally wanted to be an internist, but gravitated toward procedures and treatments that would help people with quality of life.

“I was fascinated by ophthalmology, because there were so many subspecialties,” Parbhu said.

She ultimately chose oculoplastics, which is reconstructive surgery focused on the upper half of the face, specifically the eyelid, orbital and lacrimal system, or tearing component of the eye. She also is one of the few oculoplastic specialists in Central Florida who treats pediatric patients who require eyelid reconstruction because of an injury or congenital defect.

In addition to correcting medical conditions related to this area, Parbhu performs cosmetic procedures, such as eyelid and brow lifts, as well as Botox Cosmetic and dermal filler injections. She also is able to apply an eyeliner tattoo on patients who want that added convenience.

“I chose this field of medicine because I really wanted to help people feel good about themselves by enhancing their appearance,” she said.

Together, Raja and Parbhu can treat anything that has to do with the eye, with the exception of retinal surgery.

“We know our limitations and will not hesitate to refer our patients to other subspecialists,” Raja said.

Both doctors have clinical and surgical privileges at all Orlando Health hospitals, including Dr. P. Phillips Hospital, and they are the only board-certified ophthalmologists in the Dr. Phillips area.

Expert services provided at Orlando Eye & Oculoplastics cover a wide variety of conditions and diseases of the eye, including cataracts; glaucoma; dry eye; trauma caused by injury or chemicals; ocular surface disease; cornea-related conditions like cornea transplants; and removal of growths around the eye, both cancerous and benign. Reconstructive surgery is available for patients who want to regain a natural look after cancerous lesions are removed.

Patients of Orlando Eye & Oculoplastics also can be successfully treated for agerelated macular degeneration, which progressively destroys the central vision necessary for reading and driving.

An important component of the practice’s philosophy is patient education. Patients are given information about their conditions and treatment options after each visit.

“We see it as a partnership,” Raja said, about his and his wife’s approach to patient care. “If [patients] understand the issue, they are more likely to follow our treatment recommendations.

“As the baby boomers age, it is expected that there will be a significant increase in the number of people with diabetes and glaucoma,” he said.

Glaucoma affects more than 3 million people in the U.S. and can result in irreversible vision loss.

“We want people to come in for regular comprehensive eye exams, so we can identify and prevent potential problems before extensive treatment is necessary down the road,” Parbhu said.

Raja agreed, likening it to the same reason people visit their primary care physicians.

Orlando Eye & Oculoplastics welcomes all patients, but the doctors and staff believe that the middle-aged and older segments of the population, such as patients who are looking for a little boost to their appearance and those who suffer from age-related ailments of the eye, could greatly benefit from their expertise.

Though Orlando Eye & Oculoplastics is fairly new to Southwest Orlando, it has already gained a reputation for quality customer care.

“We are native Floridians and are very excited that we were able to open our practice and live in this area,” Raja said. “We are definitely here to stay.”



Orlando Eye & Oculoplastics is located in Suite 10 at 6068 S. Apopka-Vineland Road in Orlando. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 407-704-3937 or visit www.eyesandlids.com on the Web.