Rajiv Luthra, M.D.
Dr. Luthra graduated from The Johns Hopkins University with the highest honors. He completed an Internship and Residency in Ophthalmology at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, where he also served as Chief Resident. He followed this with a research fellowship in Ophthalmic Epidemiology from The Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins, and a clinical fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at Louisiana State University under the direction of a world-renowned cornea specialist Herbert Kaufman, MD. Prior to starting his residency in ophthalmology, Dr. Luthra was selected by the NIH to serve as the Project Director of the Barbados Eye Study. Dr. Luthra lived and worked in Barbados for one year, where he was involved in glaucoma and pterygium research. He has served on the faculty of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami, both of which have been ranked as premier eye institutes by U.S. News and World Report. While in Florida, Dr. Luthra achieved the position of Associate Professor and Chief of the Cornea Division at the University of Florida.
Dr. Luthra has extensive experience in performing cataract surgery (including the use of specialized intraocular lenses for correcting astigmatism and presbyopia), corneal transplant surgery, pterygium surgery, and LASIK surgery. He is experienced in performing diabetic eye exams, monitoring patients with macular degeneration, and routine eye exams. In addition, he is proficient in glaucoma management, contact lens fittings, and a variety of advanced laser procedures for the eye. Dr. Luthra is Board Certified in Ophthalmology and is on the faculty of the Georgetown University School of Medicine. More recently, Dr. Luthra was elected as the President of the Washington DC Medical Ophthalmological Society (WDCMOS) in 2019. The society represents over 150 Ophthalmologists in the greater Washington DC area. Dr. Luthra has been named the region “Best Ophthalmologist” in numerous national publications and was awarded the “America’s Top Ophthalmologist” award in 2021.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:
- Luthra R, Nemesure BB, Wu SW et al. Frequency and risk factors for Pterygium in the Barbados Eye Study. Arch Ophthalmol 2001; 1827-1832.
- Bass EB, Sharkey PD, Luthra R, Schein OD, Javitt JC, Tielsch JM, SteinbergPost-operative management of cataract surgery by ophthalmologists and optometrists. Arch Ophthalmol 1996; 114 (9): 1121-1127.
- Schein OD, Bass EB, Sharkey P, Luthra R, Tielsch JM, Javitt JC, Steinberg EP. Cataract surgical techniques. Preferences and underlying beliefs. Arch Ophthalmol 1995; 113 (9): 1108-1112.
- Bass EB, Steinberg EP, Luthra R, Schein OD, Tielsch JM, Javitt JC, SharkeyPD, Petty BG, Feldman MA, Steinwachs DM. Do ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and internists agree about pre-operative testing in healthy patients undergoing cataract surgery? Arch Ophthalmol 1995; 113 (10): 1248-1256.
- Bass EB, Steinberg EP, Luthra R, et al. Variation in Ophthalmic Testing prior to cataract surgery- Results of a National Survey of Optometrists. Arch Ophthalmol 1995; 113 (1): 27-31.
- Steinberg EP, Bass EB, Luthra R, et al. Variation in Ophthalmic Testing prior to cataract surgery- Results of a National Survey of Ophthalmologists. Arch Ophthalmol 1994; 112 (7): 896-902.
- Powe NR, Schein OD, Gieser SC, Tielsch JM, Luthra R, et al. Synthesis of literature on visual acuity and complications following cataract extraction with interlobular lens implantation. Cataract Patient Outcomes Research Team. Arch Ophthalmol 1994; 112 (2): 239-252.
- Powe NR, Tielsch JM, Schein OD, Luthra R, Steinberg EP. Rigor of research methods in studies of the effectiveness and safety of cataract extraction with interlobular lens implantation. Cataract Patient Outcomes Research Team. Arch Ophthalmol 1994; 112 (2): 228-238.
- Powe NR, Schein OD, Gieser SC, Tielsch JM, Luthra R, Steinberg EP. Appendix K. Literature Review: Surgical Techniques and Complications. Ophthalmology 1993; 100 (8): 212S-253S.
- Cataract Management Guideline Panel. Cataract in Adults: Management of Functional Impairment. Clinical Practice Guidelines Panel Number 4, Rockville, Maryland. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. AHCPR Pub No. 93-0542, Feb 1993.
PRESENTATIONS AND ABSTRACTS:
- June 2018: Visiting Professor lecture; Collagen cross linking: updates in 2018, Post Graduate Institute for Medical Education and research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
- October 2011: Effect of Myopia on Higher-Order Aberrations. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Orlando, FL.
- October 2011: Efficacy of Topical and Systemic Voriconazole in Severe Fungal Corneal Ulcers. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Orlando, FL.
- October 2011: Results of Adjunctive Riboflavin-UV-A Collagen Cross Linking in Nonhealing Corneal Ulcers. American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Orlando, FL.
- April 2009: Corneal and External Diseases: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment. OKAP review. Gerogetown University School of Medicine, Washington D.C.
- November 2008: “Surgical Management of Complex Cataracts”, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington D.C.
- March 2008: Visiting Professor, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, India, “Use of the Phaco-Chop Technique in the Surgical Management of Mature Cataracts“.
- January 2008: “How to Manage Complex Cataracts in the Operating Room”, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Congress, Bascom Palmer Eye Instiute, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
- May 1999: “Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in a Michigan HMO”. Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
- May 1998: “Pterygium Occurrence in a Black Population: Results of the Barbados Eye Study”, ARVO, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
- April 1998: “Prevalence and Risk Factors for Pterygium in a Black Population: Barbados Eye Study Results”. American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), San Diego, California.
- May 1997: “Lens Opacities and Use of Nutritional Supplements: The Barbados Eye Study”, ARVO, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
- May 1993: “Optometrists’ use of Pre-operative Testing in Cataract Patients”,ARVO, Sarasota, Florida.
- May 1993: “National Variation in Pre-operative Ophthalmic Testing of Cataract Surgery Patients by Ophthalmologists”, ARVO, Sarasota, Florida.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO).
- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).
- American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS).
- American Medical Association (AMA).
- Cosmos Club, Washington DC.
INTERNATIONAL ACITIVITIES:
June 2018: Organized and coordinated and eye camp in a village in Northern India and Nepal, in affiliation with the Rotary Club International. Screened approximately 5000 patients and provided medical and surgical care for patients with glaucoma, pterygium, cataracts and corneal diseases.
