Anna Nagar, Chennai
Darshan Eye Care and Surgical Centre is an independent, NABH-accredited institution dedicated to ophthalmic care, surgical excellence, and academic training. Founded and directed by Dr Srinivas K. Rao, it has served patients from across India and internationally for over thirty years.
Independently verified
Darshan Eye Care and Surgical Centre holds NABH accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers — the highest hospital quality standard in India. It is assessed by independent auditors appointed by the Quality Council of India across patient safety, clinical quality, infrastructure, and governance, and reviewed periodically. This is not a self-declared status.
Darshan Eye Care is an empanelled hospital under the Tamil Nadu Government's New Health Insurance Scheme 2021. Eligible government employees, pensioners, and their families can receive approved ophthalmic treatments on a cashless basis. Please contact the clinic beforehand to confirm coverage and pre-authorisation for your specific treatment.
One institution, four arms
The primary clinical practice, providing comprehensive ophthalmic outpatient consultations, diagnostics, and medical management.
A fully equipped on-site operating theatre providing advanced ophthalmic surgical services.
The academic arm, running the Corneal Fellowship Program, Corneal Observer Program, and CME programs for practising ophthalmologists.
The community outreach arm, conducting charitable eye camps and subsidised eye care for underserved communities.
Twelve doctors, eight subspecialties
| Doctor | Specialty | Experience | Qualifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Srinivas K. Rao | Cornea Specialist — Founder & Director | 30+ years | MBBS, FRCSEd |
| Dr Sanjeev P Srinivas | Cornea Specialist | 10+ years | MBBS, FACS (Ophthalmology) |
| Dr Navin Jayakumar | Neuro-Ophthalmologist | 30+ years | MBBS, FRCSEd |
| Dr Shobana Srinivas | Microbiology | 25+ years | MD |
| Dr Harshita Sanjeev | Uvea and Medical Retina Specialist | 8+ years | MBBS, DNB |
| Dr Radhakrishnan | Orbit and Oculoplasty Surgeon | 25+ years | MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) |
| Dr Ram Prakash | Pediatric and Squint Surgeon | 25+ years | MBBS, FRCS in Ophthalmology |
| Dr Ramana Kumar | Retina Specialist | 5+ years | MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology) |
| Dr Vijay Augustinen | Anaesthetist | 20+ years | MBBS, MD (Anaesthesiology) |
| Dr Manav | Anaesthetist | 25+ years | MBBS, MD (Anaesthesiology) |
| Dr Vijayaragini R | Anaesthetist | 15+ years | MBBS, DA |
| Dr Vigneshwaran | Diabetologist | 8+ years | MBBS, F. Diab |
Founder & Director
Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, awarded the Gold Medal for Best Performance.
Dr Rao completed his subspecialty training in corneal surgery at institutions in Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, New York, Rotterdam, and Italy. He is the Founding President of the Cornea Society of India and Professor of Ophthalmology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
He is recognised as a pioneer of limbal stem cell transplantation in India, serves as Section Editor for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, reviewer for ten peer-reviewed journals, and editor of the A to Z book series in ophthalmology.
Clinical services
Darshan Training Academy
A structured fellowship in advanced corneal surgery for qualified ophthalmologists seeking subspecialty training.
For ophthalmologists wishing to observe advanced corneal surgical techniques.
Structured CME programs for practising ophthalmologists, conducted regularly at the institution.
On-site facilities
Darshan Eye Care and Surgical Centre at Anna Nagar, Chennai is an independent institution under the direction of Dr Srinivas K. Rao. It is not affiliated with, and should not be confused with, other clinics or hospitals elsewhere in India that may carry similar names. Please use the contact details on this website to ensure you are reaching the correct institution.

Darshan Eye Care was founded in October 2006 by Dr Srinivas K Rao and Dr Navin Jayakumar, both of whom had previously completed 15 years at Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai as Senior Consultants. The Centre was started with the following objectives –
1. To offer state-of-the-art care based on sound scientific principles using current technology.
2. Ensure holistic care not just to the eye but focused on the well being of the patient as a whole.
3. Provide the above in a cost-effective manner to all patients seeking our care and help.
4. Improve understanding of eye diseases and disseminate this knowledge to others.
5. Have an organizational social responsibility for the care of indigent patients.
Areas of special expertise include Ocular Surface, Cornea, Cataract, Refractive surgery and Neuro-Ophthalmology. Over the years, other Consultants have been added, with expertise in Glaucoma, Ocular inflammation, Squint, Oculoplasty and Vitreo-retinal diseases, fulfilling the promise of TOTAL VISION CARE. The Centre also has in-house Optical services, Pharmacy, Microbiological and Biochemistry facilities to offer patients one-stop Eye care. It is equipped with Lift and Wheelchair access to allow physically challenged patients easy access to the Facilities. It is an NABH accredited facility

Darshan Charitable Foundation was started in 2015,and is a registered Public Charitable Trust and donations to the trust are tax exempt under section 80G of the Income Tax Act. It was started by Dr Srinivas K Rao and his wife, Dr Shobana Srinivas with the following aims –
1. To help indigent patients with cost of surgery
2. To conduct eye screening camps among susceptible groups to help diagnose and treat problems at an early stage.
3. To help train under privileged children and help them obtain a Diploma to be productive and self-sufficient.
4. To sponsor public education programs to increase awareness about eye diseases and eye donation.
Since its inception it has supported free surgery for over 350 indigent patients, has conducted … eye screening camps in schools and Society, has helped 14 children obtain Diplomas in Ophthalmic Assistant and OperationTheatre Technician courses, and has conducted 15 CME programs to help educate and disseminate knowledge. We are very grateful to our Donors, without whose help the above would not have been possible.

Darshan Training Academy was created in 2012 to train underprivileged students who have passed their higher secondary exams.The Diploma courses – Operation Theatre Technician and Ophthalmic Assistant are conducted under the aegis of the Indian Medical Association(IMA). Thus far, 14 students have obtained their Diplomas, 7 in each of the above mention Diploma programs. The cost of the entire Program for these students, including Uniforms, Books, Course Fee and food during the program was supported by the Darshan Charitable Foundation. The Training academy is run by Dr Shobana Srinivas, wife of Dr Srinivas K Rao, who is also the Administrator for all Darshan entities.

Darshan Surgical Centre was started in October 2010 by Dr Srinivas K Rao, in order to provide cost effective care and ensure that the Surgical Care delivered was of the best quality. With inpatient facilities for day care surgery, the Theatre is equipped with best-inclass equipment for Ophthalmic microsurgery, and the facilities are constantly upgraded to ensure optimal surgical care. The Operation theatre is equipped with an air-handling unit and HEPA filters to ensure sterility and minimise infections. Darshan Surgical Centre has one of the lowest post surgical infection rates in the city. The facility is equipped with a 65 KVA generator to ensure continuity of surgical services in the event of power outages. A team of anaesthetists ensures the safety of patients during procedures. It is a NABH accredited facility and is also HOTA certified, which is a legal requirement for performing corneal transplant surgeries.