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Department of Ophthalmology
Stritch School of Medicine
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Roshni Vasaiwala M.D.

Associate Professor and Director of Cornea Service of Ophthalmology

Residency Program Director

Education

  • B.S. - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
  • M.D. - University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Intern - MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL
  • Resident - Ophthalmology resident, University of Illinois at Chicago, Eye and Ear Infirmiary, Chicago, IL
  • Additional Training:
    • Cornea/External Disease and Refractive Surgery Fellowship, University of Illinois at Chicago, Eye and Ear Infirmary, Chicago, IL

Research Interests

Research Focus: Cornea and Ocular Surface Disease

Summary of Research Interest

Graft versus host disease, a complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, occurs when T cells and other immune cells from the donor bone marrow attack the recipient’s own cells. Manifestations of this disease include ocular GVHD which presents as severe ocular surface disease. Dr. Vasaiwala’s research projects are investigating the structural and functional changes that occur to the Meibomian glands due to ocular GVHD using meibography and how this affects the ocular surface staining, tear breakup time, tear production, and patient symptoms. We are also looking at the safety and efficacy of a new treatment modality known as Lipiflow Thermal Pulsation System specifically in this patient population as an early treatment option for their ocular surface disease.

Publications/Research Listings

2025

  • Flood J, Shah S, Vasaiwala R, Tannan A, Raju, J. Perceptions of an “Application Cap”: A Survey of Ophthalmology Residency Directors. Journey of Academic Ophthalmology: Vol 17: Iss 1, Article 17.
  • Flood J, Tajran S, Ferris A, Devgan A, Sooranahalli C, Jatavallabhula K, Vasaiwala R. Enhancing Ophthalmology Resident Education: A Multi-Center Virtual Reality Experiential Simulation Lab. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences. June 2025; Volume 66; Issue 8.
  • Tajran S, Flood J, Raju J, Vasaiwala R. Enhancing Ophthalmology Resident Orientation with an Experiential Simulation Lab using Virtual Reality Technology. Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology 2025; 7:1-13.
  • Tajran S, Ferris A, Flood J, Vasaiwala R. Enhancing ophthalmology education using virtual reality: an experiential simulation lab curated for medical students by medical students. Artificial Intelligence in Vision and Ophthalmology 2025; 7:1-20.
  • Ashraf M, Shoraka E, Shahabi S, Ghalibafan S, Ahmed A, Karami Rad M, Bouchard CS, Saeed HN. Hormonal Modulation of Keratoconus: A Systematic Review and Screening Strategy for At-Risk Populations. PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251151423. Available from: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251151423

2022

  • Liu H, Kirk C., Bu P., Vasaiwala R., Raju J., Bouchard C.S., Zhao S. Impact of Dry Eye Disease on Visual Function and Quality after Femtosecond Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis. Journal of Ophthalmology & Clinical Research. 2022 Nov 8; 6(4):150-156.
  • Abtahi, M., Adams, W., Agarwal, A., Agranat, JS., Ajlan, RS., Akhlaq, A. ... Zhu, I.  “Noninfectious Keratitis”, in Ophthalmology, Yanoff M, Duker J, eds., Mosby-Year Book, Inc. St. Louis, MO, 2022.

2020

  • Sink J, Blatt S, Yoo D, Henry M, Yang S, Vasaiwala R, Ghadiali L, Adams W, Bouchard CS. A Novel Telemedicine Technique for Evaluation of Ocular Exam Findings via Smartphone Images. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare. 2020 June. doi: 10.1177/1357633X20926819.  PMID: 32506998. 

2012

  • Birnbaum AD, Jiang Y, Vasaiwala R, Tessler HH, Goldstein DA. Bilateral simultaneous-onset nongranulomatous acute anterior uveitis: clinical presentation and etiology.Archive Ophthalmology. 2012 November; 130 (11): 1389-94. doi: 10.1001/archophthalmol.2012.2006. PMID: 22777605.

2011

  • Vasaiwala R, Sajja K, Setabutr P. Novel management of the microphthalmic orbit in a patient with PHACE syndrome. Ophthalmic Plastic Reconstructive Surgery. 2011 November; 27(6): e156-158. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0b013e318208319d. PMID: 21629142.