Rajiv Raman, M.B.B.S. (M.D.)

Rajiv Raman, MD, is a skilled vitreoretinal surgeon and respected clinician-scientist who is passionate about helping patients protect and preserve their vision. He joined UF Health Ophthalmology – Jacksonville in June 2025, bringing a wealth of experience in diagnosing and treating complex retinal conditions with precision, compassion, and the latest medical advances.

Dr. Raman is internationally recognized for his expertise in diabetic retinopathy, low vision care and retinal imaging. He has authored more than 400 peer-reviewed publications and is widely regarded as a leader in his field. His work also explores innovative ways to utilize artificial intelligence to enhance eye care for patients worldwide.

Patients appreciate his approachable manner, thorough explanations and dedication to delivering the highest quality of care. Dr. Raman joins Sandeep Grover, MD, director of inherited retinal diseases and electrophysiology, as part of UF Health Ophthalmology – Jacksonville’s retina specialty team.

Dr. Rajiv Raman is a leading clinician-scientist and vitreoretinal surgeon whose research integrates ophthalmic clinical practice, population-based epidemiology, and cutting-edge applications of artificial intelligence. With over 400 peer-reviewed publications and an H-index of 52, his scholarly output has significantly influenced diabetic retinopathy (DR) research, low vision care, and retinal imaging.

Core Research Areas Diabetic Retinopathy & Macular Edema: Dr. Raman has led multiple landmark studies on the epidemiology, genetics, imaging biomarkers, and treatment outcomes of diabetic retinopathy, including the SN-DREAMS series and AI-based risk prediction models. His work has informed national guidelines and screening strategies for DR across diverse Indian populations.

Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology: As Principal Investigator and collaborator on several AI-driven projects, Dr. Raman has pioneered efforts in developing deep learning models for DR detection, anemia screening from fundus images, and predictive algorithms for anti-VEGF treatment response. Notable grants include projects funded by Google, Microsoft, and DBT India, focusing on AI for DR screening in resource-limited settings.

Retinal Imaging & Biomarkers: Dr. Raman’s research into OCT and OCTA biomarkers, including structural-functional correlates in DME, myopic maculopathy, and AMD, has advanced understanding of disease progression and therapeutic monitoring. His collaborations span institutions such as Moorfields Eye Hospital (UK), SERI (Singapore), and UNSW (Australia).

Public Health & Vision Science: He has designed and executed large-scale community-based studies, including SMART-India, to assess vision impairment and DR burden in rural and urban India. These findings have supported policy changes and innovative screening models using teleophthalmology and task-shifting.

Research Leadership & Mentorship Principal Investigator on over 20 national and international grants, with funding from agencies such as the World Diabetes Foundation, DBT, NIHR UK, and LCIF.

PhD and fellowship guide to over 20 postgraduate students across major Indian universities and institutions.

Editorial board member and peer reviewer for leading journals including Eye, Scientific Reports, IJO, and Nature Medicine.

Recent Key Publications (2023–2025) Nature Medicine (2024): Deep learning prediction models for DR progression.

Scientific Reports (2025): Indian DR image database development for AI tools.

IEEE Access (2025): Attention-based deep learning models for OCT biomarker detection.

Lancet Global Health (2024): National DR prevalence and risk factors in diabetic adults.

Impact and Recognition Listed in the Top 2% Scientists Globally (2021–2024). (Baas J; Boyack K; Ioannidis JPA. (2021), August 2021 data-update for Updated science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators, Mendeley Data, V3, doi: 10.17632/btchxktzyw.3)