Rasik B. Vajpayee-Sinha

Rasik B. Vajpayee-Sinha

MBBS, MS, FRCS (Edinburgh), FRANZCO

Ophthalmologist

Over 40 years of experience

📍 Melbourne

About of Rasik B. Vajpayee-Sinha

Rasik B. Vajpayee-Sinha is an ophthalmologist based in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. He looks after people with a wide range of eye problems, with a steady focus on the cornea and the parts of the eye that help you see clearly.

Over the years, he has built a career of more than 40 years in eye care. That long experience matters, especially when things are complex or when symptoms keep coming back. In many cases, he helps patients find a clear plan to protect vision and get comfort under control.


His work includes common eye issues like cataracts and dry eye, as well as cornea-related conditions such as keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, and problems like corneal scarring. At times, he also treats inflammation and injury-related eye conditions. This can include issues that affect the surface of the eye, like pterygium and conditions linked to irritation or infections.


Rasik also manages eye changes that can affect the shape and clarity of vision, including astigmatism. Depending on the situation, care may involve procedures such as corneal transplant surgery or other surgical options for the cornea. Cataract care is also part of his regular work, including cataract removal when it’s needed.


He has trained in cornea and refractive surgery in Australia and overseas. Fellowships and advanced training include time at the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital in Melbourne, plus training at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO), and holds specialist qualifications including MBBS and MS from Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, India, as well as FRCS from Edinburgh.


In addition to day-to-day clinical care, his eye work includes publishing and sharing findings. This helps keep his practice up to date with what’s new, while still staying practical and grounded.


If you’re dealing with an ongoing eye surface problem, blurred vision, or a cornea condition that needs a careful long-term approach, Rasik B. Vajpayee-Sinha offers calm, clear guidance. He takes the time to understand what’s going on and works with patients to choose the next steps that make sense for their situation in Melbourne.

Education

  • MBBS — Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, India.
  • MS (Master of Surgery) — Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, India.
  • Ophthalmology training / Fellowships (cornea & refractive surgery) — Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital (Melbourne, Australia)
  • Ophthalmology training / Fellowships (cornea & refractive surgery) — Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (Boston, USA)
  • FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh)
  • FRANZCO (Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists)

Services & Conditions Treated

Corneal TransplantCataractCataract RemovalErythema MultiformeInterstitial KeratitisKeratoconusPterygiumStevens-Johnson SyndromeEntropionKeratomalaciaScalded Skin SyndromeAmebiasisAstigmatismConjunctivitis (Pink Eye)Dry Eye SyndromeFuchs DystrophyGiant Papillary ConjunctivitisHereditary KeratitisIridectomyMacular Corneal Dystrophy Type 1Neurotrophic KeratitisRetinal DetachmentTrachomaVitrectomy

Publications

5 total
Stratified Phacoemulsification Technique to Enhance Safety in Posterior Polar Cataracts.

Clinical ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) • November 21, 2024

Rohit Parkash, Tushya Parkash, Trupti Sharma, Rasik Vajpayee

To describe a new technique of stratified phacoemulsification of the nucleus to protect the vulnerable posterior capsule in posterior polar cataracts. Dr Om Parkash Eye Institute, Amritsar, India. Prospective interventional study. Twenty-six eyes of twenty-two patients with posterior polar cataracts and nuclear sclerosis of Grade 2 and above, undergoing phacoemulsification surgery, were included in the study. No hydro procedures were performed intentionally to prevent the pressure build-up within the bag or the occurrence of accidental hydrodissection in any of the eyes. Stratified separation was used to separate the nucleus from the surrounding epinucleus mass along natural separational planes in moderate to hard nuclei. Nuclear fragment was emulsified, leaving the epinucleus shell intact. This process of stratified separation and emulsification was repeated for all nuclear fragments without disrupting the epinucleus shell. The epinuclear shell acted as a scaffold and prevented fluidic turbulence and mechanical forces transmission to the fragile posterior capsule. Finally, the epinucleus shell and cortical lens matter were aspirated, and an intraocular lens was implanted. Our technique of stratified phacoemulsification, which entails chopper-assisted manual delineation of the nucleus, yielded excellent outcomes. Our study included Twenty-six eyes of twenty-two patients with posterior polar cataract and nuclear sclerosis grade 2 or higher. Posterior capsular rupture occurred in one case, which showed pre-existing dehiscence with a moth-eaten appearance on Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography. The pre-existing posterior capsular rent did not result in any intraoperative complications. The technique of stratified phacoemulsification can achieve safe and successful cataract surgery in posterior polar cataracts with Grade 2 or higher nuclear sclerosis, without the use of hydro maneuvers or expensive femtosecond lasers. The technique entails using standard instruments to form an epinuclear shell that protects the posterior capsule during nuclear emulsification.

Use of Narrow Calibrated Side-Port Technique to Prevent Occurrence of Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome During Phacoemulsification Surgery.

Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.) • March 25, 2025

Rohit Parkash, Tushya Om Parkash, Trupti Sharma, Rasik Vajpayee, Shruti Mahajan

To describe the use of a narrow calibrated side-port incision technique in preventing Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS). Dr Om Parkash Eye Institute, Amritsar, India. Prospective interventional study. Four hundred and fifty eyes of patients using alpha-1 antagonist drug Tamsulosin were included in the study. Phacoemulsification surgery was performed with a calibrated side-port incision integrated to the existing preferred techniques in patients taking Tamsulosin. Our technique involved creating a narrow 500 microns (µm) side-port incision, paired with a differentially calibrated chopper shaft measuring 400 to 450 µm, with a 50 µm variation along the shaft. This precise calibration between the side-port and chopper sizes minimized fluid leakage, preventing surgical impediments and side-port wound distortion. The reduced fluid efflux through the side-port incision stabilized the anterior chamber near the side port, decreased iris contact with the chopper and eliminated the risk of iris prolapse. Integration of side-port calibration into the existing techniques helped prevent IFIS from developing around the side-port incision site. Our technique of calibrated side-port incision, which requires perfect calibration of the incision with the chopper, gave excellent results. Our study comprised of a total of 450 eyes from patients on Tamsulosin undergoing phacoemulsification were included. IFIS was completely absent in 271 eyes. Minimal IFIS, characterized by iris billowing, was observed in 179 eyes, while no cases of moderate or severe IFIS occurred. When added to existing surgical techniques, a calibrated side-port incision significantly improves patient outcomes in managing IFIS during phacoemulsification in patients taking alpha-1 antagonist drugs. This modification helps prevent the side-port incision from becoming a focal point for IFIS, thereby enhancing surgical safety and efficacy.

Paradigm Shift in Eye Banking: From Tissue Retrieval to Cellular Harvesting and Bioengineering.

Cornea • May 03, 2024

Rashmi Deshmukh, Harminder Dua, Jodhbir Mehta, Rasik Vajpayee, Vishal Jhanji, Sayan Basu

An integrated cell, tissue, and eye bank is vital to meet the evolving needs of ocular transplant therapies. In addition to traditional corneal transplant tissues, it encompasses processing and delivery of transplant materials for newer treatments like cell-based therapies and gene-modified products, adhering to rigorous standards, optimizing tissue utilization with comprehensive services for surgeons.

Capsular phimosis with intraocular lens tilt and decentration.

Journal Of Cataract And Refractive Surgery • September 28, 2023

Soon-phaik Chee, H Dick, Samuel Masket, Jacqueline Beltz, Rasik Vajpayee, Elizabeth Yeu, Dagny Zhu

A 34-year-old woman with quiescent bilateral intermediate uveitis maintained on once-daily dexamethasone 0.1% eyedrops, complicated by left cataract and glaucoma controlled with a single antiglaucoma medication, presented for cataract surgery. Her left corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) was 20/40 because of a posterior subcapsular lens opacity. The anterior chamber angles appeared closed in all 4 quadrants on gonioscopy. Ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) confirmed the gonioscopy findings and, in addition, revealed a crystalline lens thickness of 5.53 mm, normal ciliary body structure, and multiple localized chorioretinal scars with membranes over the pars plana region. She underwent left phacoemulsification, goniosynechiolysis, and in-the-bag implantation of a single-piece monofocal hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL). On the first postoperative day, she achieved pinhole vision of 20/70 (-6 diopters [D] myopia to balance with the fellow eye). There was mild anterior chamber cellular activity and flare, consistent with postoperative inflammation. Her intraocular pressure (IOP) was 16 mm Hg without antiglaucoma therapy. She was advised to continue the prednisolone acetate 1% eyedrops 6 times daily and to reduce it to 4 times daily after a week for the next 4 weeks. At 1 month, she was refracted to 20/40 N5, and the eye was quiescent. Optical coherence tomography showed that the macular was normal. The topical steroids were gradually tapered to the preoperative level. However, a month later, she returned complaining of deteriorating vision while using twice-daily steroid eyedrops. Her CDVA was 20/60. Slitlamp examination revealed anterior capsule fibrosis and capsular phimosis, resulting in partial obstruction of the visual axis and mild decentration of the IOL superior temporally (Figure 1JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202310000-00013/figure1/v/2023-09-28T161738Z/r/image-tiff). The anterior segment was quiescent. The pupil could only be dilated to 4.5 mm despite the absence of posterior synechiae. Fundus examination revealed a normal-looking quiescent posterior segment. Her IOP was 16 mm Hg. UBM showed a thickened anterior capsule, intact zonular fibers, and a posteriorly bowed and decentered IOL within the capsular bag (Figure 2JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202310000-00013/figure2/v/2023-09-28T161738Z/r/image-tiff). She was referred for further management. Discuss how you would manage this problem, explaining your decisions. How would you be able to avoid the same problem when operating on her fellow eye?

Management of corneal perforations in dry eye disease: Preferred practice pattern guidelines.

Indian Journal Of Ophthalmology • April 07, 2023

Anahita Kate, Rashmi Deshmukh, Pragnya Donthineni, Namrata Sharma, Rasik Vajpayee, Sayan Basu

Corneal perforations in eyes with dry eye disease (DED) are difficult to manage due to the interplay of several factors such as the unstable tear film, surface inflammation, and the underlying systemic disease affecting the wound healing process, and the eventual outcome. A careful preoperative examination is required to identify the underlying pathology, and status of ocular surface and adnexa, rule out microbial keratitis, and order appropriate systemic workup in addition to assessing the perforation itself. Several surgical options are available, which include tissue adhesives, multilayered amniotic membrane grafting (AMT), tenon patch graft (TPG), corneal patch graft (CPG), and penetrating keratoplasty (PK). The choice of procedure depends upon the size, location, and configuration of the perforation. In eyes with smaller perforations, tissue adhesives are effective treatment modalities, whereas AMT, TPG, and CPG are viable options in moderate-sized perforations. AMT and TPG are also preferable in cases where the placement of a bandage contact lens may be a challenge. Large perforations require a PK, with additional procedures such as tarsorrhaphy to protect the eyes from the associated epithelial healing issues. Conjunctival flaps are considered in eyes with poor visual potential. The management of the acute condition is carried out in conjunction with measures to improve the tear volume bearing in mind the chances of delayed epithelialization and re-perforation in these cases. Administration of topical and systemic immunosuppression, when indicated, helps improve the outcome. This review aims to facilitate clinicians in instituting a synchronized multifaceted therapy for the successful management of corneal perforations in the setting of DED.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Dr Rasik B. Vajpayee-Sinha offer?
Dr Rasik B. Vajpayee-Sinha provides a range of eye procedures and treatments, including corneal transplant, cataract removal, retina care such as retinal detachment, and various corneal and conjunctival conditions. The listed services also cover conditions like keratoconus, pterygium, dry eye, Fuchs dystrophy, and specialized surgeries such as iridectomy and vitrectomy.
Which eye conditions does he commonly treat?
Common conditions addressed include corneal disorders (like keratoconus, corneal transplantation needs, keratitis), cataracts, conjunctival problems (pink eye, dry eye syndrome), retinal issues (retinal detachment), and other complex eye diseases such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and hereditary or degenerative eye conditions.
Where is Dr Vajpayee-Sinha based and how can I arrange an appointment?
He is based in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. To arrange an appointment, please contact the clinic in Melbourne for availability and booking information.
What should I expect at my first consultation with him?
The first consultation will involve a full eye exam and discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and any previous eye treatments. This helps determine the right course of care from his listed corneal, cataract, and retinal services.
Does he perform both diagnostic assessments and surgical procedures?
Yes. He provides both diagnostic eye care and surgical interventions as part of his practice, including cataract and corneal-related procedures.
What kinds of eye diseases or injuries are within his scope of care?
He covers a broad range of eye conditions, including corneal diseases and injuries, cataracts, retinal issues, and surface eye problems like conjunctivitis and dry eye, as well as complex conditions such as keratoconus and iridectomy when indicated.

Contact Information

Melbourne, VIC, Australia

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Memberships

  • Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
  • Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)