Sunita Chaurasia, MD in Where Are They Now?

Sunita Chaurasia, MD studied under Dr. Price in 2013 during a year-long fellowship.

What was your biggest take away from your fellowship experience?
"The work of the Cornea Research Foundation is extremely systematic and methodical. This was the first time I ever saw data collection and documentation of every single case of keratoplasty at an institution. This system of data management for such huge numbers is probably only possible with a great deal of planning and foresight. I had the opportunity to work on a project involving analysis of large volume of data that materialized into an Ophthalmology paper. The whole experience made me realize that meaningful research begins with proper planning and managing the minute details periodically."

How have you been able to apply what you learned in your career/current institution?

"Before my fellowship with Dr. Price, I was treating endothelial disorders with DSEK alone. I did my first DMEK in 2014 after returning from fellowship. My technique of DMEK is essentially what I learned from Dr. Price. Although there are many ways of preparing a DMEK graft, I have realized that the technique I learned from him has the best success rates with negligible tissue discard rate. I have also been able to teach the same technique to many other faculty and fellows in my institute."

"I had a chance to see several patients with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy in Dr. Price’s clinic which drove my interest in endothelial dystrophies. I have undertaken several basic research projects with collaborators to understand the disease pathology and its genetics in Indian patients."

"Additionally, I learned the art of data management in Excel from Dr. Marianne Price. This has helped me in guiding fellows and students in data collection of research projects."

What’s your favorite memory of your time?
"Although there are so many, I particularly recall the operating days when Dr. Price would have a schedule of 15-20 surgeries. It was delightful to see the OR start at 7:00 am sharp and finish at 3.00 pm. He made every case seem so effortless."

"On a personal level, I welcomed my daughter into the world during my time in Indianapolis. I cherish the loving gesture of my baby shower I received from one and all at Price Vision Group and the Cornea Research Foundation. I was away from my home country and parents, but it felt so much at home here with everyone around."

Dr. Chaurasia's research articles from her time with CRFA:
Chaurasia S, Price MO, McKee Y, Price FW Jr. Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty Combined With Epithelial Debridement and Mitomycin-C Application for Fuchs Dystrophy With Preoperative Subepithelial Fibrosis or Anterior Basement Membrane Dystrophy. Cornea 2014;33:335-9.

Chaurasia S, Price FW Jr, Gunderson L, Price MO. Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty: Clinical Results of Single Versus Triple Procedures (Combined with Cataract Surgery). Ophthalmology 2014;121:454-8.

Dr. Chaurasia's biography courtesy of the LV Prasad Eye Institute.

Sunita Chaurasia did her fellowship in cornea and anterior segment at LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad (2006-2007) and overseas fellowship in advanced corneal procedures at the renowned Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, USA (2013). She had her basic medical training from Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, Mumbai (1996-2002) followed by residency in ophthalmology at King Georges’s Medical University, Lucknow (2003-2006). Her clinical areas of specialization are Advanced corneal surgery, Cataract, Refractive surgery, Pediatric corneal surgery, Infective keratitis and Eyebanking. Her basic research interests are Corneal endothelium, Fuch’s endothelial dystrophy and other endothelial disorders. In 2014, she received Achievement award at the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals, authored several books and presented papers at international and national forums. She is a reviewer for several national and international journals.

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