Credentials

Undergraduate:

B.S. - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Medical School:

M.D. - University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI

Internship:

Intern - MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, IL

Residency:

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 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

2022

• 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.