Rajesh Chalamalasetty Rao MD
Retinal Disease
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, and Pathology University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center
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1000 Wall StAnn Arbor, MI 48105
Phone+1 734-764-4190
Fax+1 734-647-8052
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Summary
- Dr. Rajesh Rao is a retina specialist who sees patients at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center in Ann Arbor. His clinical practice focuses on the medical and surgical management of the retina and vitreous, including retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, ocular trauma, ocular inflammation, and macular and submacular surgery.
Dr. Rao’s research focuses on stem cells for regeneration of the retina and central nervous system; epigenetics and chromatin modifying enzymes; age-related macular degeneration; diabetic retinopathy; retinal dystrophies; retinal detachment repair; and tumors of the eye.
To make an appointment, please call Kellogg’s Retina and Uveitis Clinic at 734-763-5874. To refer a patient, please visit www.kellogg.umich.edu/refer.
Education & Training
Washington University/B-JH/SLCH ConsortiumFellowship, Surgical Retina and Vitreous, 2011 - 2013
Mass General Brigham/Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical SchoolResidency, Ophthalmology, 2008 - 2011
McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern UniversityInternship, Transitional Year, 2007 - 2008
Yale School of MedicineClass of 2007
University of Wisconsin-MadisonBS, Molecular Biology, 1997 - 2000
Certifications & Licensure
MI State Medical License 2013 - 2026
MO State Medical License 2011 - 2026
American Board of Ophthalmology Ophthalmology
Awards, Honors, & Recognition
- CMS Meaningful Use Stage 2 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory 2014 Certified EHR Suite, Epic Systems Corporation, 2013-2014, 2016-2017
- CMS Meaningful Use Stage 2 Certification OpTime Surgical 2014 Certified Module, Epic Systems Corporation, 2013-2014, 2016-2017
- CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification Allscripts Enterprise EHR (Modular), Allscripts, 2013-2014, 2016-2017
Publications & Presentations
PubMed
- 1 citationsA zinc finger-dependent, PRDM13-driven mechanism regulates retinal progenitor cell fate from mouse embryonic stem cells via WNT signaling.Brian W Basinski, Yuanhao Huang, Qiang Li, Charukesi D Sivakumar, Tyler J Carman
Stem Cell Reports. 2025-06-10 - 12 citationsRHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENT AFTER INITIATION OF PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORIDE OPHTHALMIC SOLUTION 1.25% FOR TREATMENT OF PRESBYOPIA.Emily A Eton, Peter Y Zhao, Mark W Johnson, Rajesh C Rao, Michael J Huvard
Retinal Cases & Brief Reports. 2024-01-01 - 14 citationsThe Cost of Standard and Complex Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Retinal Detachment Repair Exceeds Its Reimbursement.Warren W Pan, David S Portney, Shahzad I Mian, Rajesh C Rao
Ophthalmology. Retina. 2023-11-01
Journal Articles
- Comment on: Surgical skill and complication rates after bariatric surgeryDlouhy BJ, Rao RC, the New England Journal of Medicine, 1/16/2014
- Regression of pathologic iris neovascularization secondary to diabetic retinopathy following subconjunctival anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody treatmentRao RC, Choudhry N, Apte RS, the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 1/1/2014
- A glimpse into epigenetic regulation of age-related macular degenerationRao RC, Shah GK, AMD Update, 12/10/2013
Press Mentions
Motherhood Changes How Women Spend, Save and Think About MoneyNovember 24th, 2025- New Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Age-Related Macular DegenerationNovember 22nd, 2025
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