Dr. Rohit Varma is an accomplished physician-scientist and board-certified ophthalmologist, a visionary leader in glaucoma and the epidemiology of eye diseases, and the author of the book The Eye Doctor’s Diet. Dr. Varma is an expert on changes in the optic nerve in glaucoma and is also studying new imaging techniques in the early diagnosis of glaucomatous optic nerve damage. For more information, visit drvarma.com. Rohit Varma, MD, PhD is an internationally recognized ophthalmologist and epidemiologist who conducts research on eye disease in children and aging populations. He is the principal investigator of several National Institute of Health-funded studies, including the African American Eye Disease Study, the Latino Glaucoma Study and the Multi-Ethnic Pediatric Eye Diseases Study. Dr. Varma is a respected scientist, teacher and physician. His epidemiological studies have significantly impacted health care policy and have allowed for a deeper understanding of how disease affects different populations.
He has led multiple large clinical trials of novel interventions to treat glaucoma including pressure-sensing intraocular devices and recently implantable MicroPilot incisionless drainage devices (MacroPilot). Through his translational research internationally, Dr. Varma has been involved in the development of novel implantable intraocular pressure sensors and drainage devices. Rohit Varma is president of the Shroff Research Institute. He is a world-renowned authority on eye care, blindness and vision impairment. Dr. Varma is credited with designing one of the first artificial wet lenses to augment vision for people with cataracts in the developing world and conducting high-impact clinical trials and studies that have led to improved living conditions of millions of people.
Rohit Varma, MD, is the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Distinguished Professor and Vice Chair for Research on ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. After obtaining his medical degree and doctorate at UPenn, Dr Varma completed his residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and a residency in ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School. He has authored or co-authored more than 275 journal articles in peer-reviewed journals, edited or authored three books, and served on the Institute of Medicine’s Roundtable on Health Disparities and served on the board. Dr. Rohit Varma joined the Amen Clinics in 1998 and serves as a Research Physician. He is a member of several prestigious academic societies, including the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the American Glaucoma Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which has awarded him its Secretariat Award and its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dr. Varma has received many honors and awards for his commitment to research, mentorship, and clinical care. In 2003, he received the ARVO Cogan’s Award for Early Career Achievement, in 2004 was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges, and in 2011 he received the Clinical Vision Service Award from EyeBank Association of America. In 2015, Dr. Varma was named an ARVO Gold Fellow for exemplary contributions and dedication to vision science research and mentorship. He is also a Glaucoma Research Foundation Visionary in Basic Science, an ARVO Gabor Friesz fellow
Rohit Varma is founding director of USC Eye Institute, an investment fund focused on renewable energy. In addition, he is a partner in Renewable World Partners, which provides debt and equity financing to renewable energy and clean tech companies. Prior to founding SCEI, Varma was professor of ophthalmology and preventive medicine and the Grace and Emery Beardsley Chair in Ophthalmology at Keck School of Medicine of USC. Previously he served as dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and president and chair of the Board of Directors of USC Care.
Rohit Varma, MD, has been named the executive vice president and dean of the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. He will succeed Carmen Puliafito, MD, who stepped down from that position on June 1. Dr. Varma, whose appointment was unanimously approved by a vote of the USC Board of Trustees on May 22, currently serves as a professor and chair of ophthalmology at the USC Keck School of Medicine and as associate dean for strategic planning and community network development. Rohit Varma, MD, is currently the young endowed chair of ocular research at the University of Pennsylvania and an associate dean of strategic planning. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the internationally renowned Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, as well as earning a master of public health degree from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, both located in Baltimore. Has completed two glaucoma fellowships, one at the Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia and the other at Keck School of Medicine of USC. A native of India, he obtained his medical degree from the University of Delhi. He sees patients in Jacksonville.
