Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair is a senior Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon and the CEO/CMO & Managing Partner of Chaithanya Eye Hospital & Research Institute, Trivandrum. With over two decades of experience in advanced retinal care, he is internationally trained in vitreo-retinal surgery and retinal research. His areas of expertise include complex retinal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, macular diseases, and advanced retina imaging.

Dr. Nair completed prestigious fellowships at Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, and Sydney Eye Hospital, Australia, along with research training at the Save Sight Institute, UNSW. He plays a major role in academic teaching, fellowship training, and clinical research, and serves as Chairman of CITE (Research), Trivandrum.

Professional Experience

• Consultant Vitreo-Retinal Surgeon, Chaithanya Eye Hospital & Research Institute (2007 – Continuing)
• Honorary Consultant, Sree Chitra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences & Technology (2010 – Continuing)
• Graham Lovett Vitreo-Retinal Fellow, Sydney Eye Hospital (2006–2007)
• Research Fellow, Save Sight Institute, UNSW (2006–2007)
• Vitreo-Retinal Fellow, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai (2003–2005)

Education

• F.R.C.S. (Glasgow), Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons, Glasgow
• M.S. Ophthalmology, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Trivandrum
• Diploma in Ophthalmology, RIO Trivandrum
• M.B.B.S., Government Medical College, Trivandrum

Teaching & Academic Roles

• Post Graduate Teacher in Ophthalmology – National Board of Examinations
• Fellowship Director – Retina Fellowships
• Chairman, CITE (Research), Trivandrum

Clinical Trial Experience

• Principal Investigator – Diabetic Macular Edema (Phase IV)
• Co-Investigator – Retinal Vein Occlusion (Phase IV)
• GCP Trained

Awards & Recognition

• Padma Bhushan Dr. P. Siva Reddy Award – Best Paper (2024)
• Dr S. Natarajan Award – Best Retina Paper (AIOC)
• Rakesh Sharma Memorial Award – Best Ocular Trauma Paper (AIOC)
• Professor Sankara Menon Award – Best Paper (KSOS)
• Professor Subramanium Award – Best Postgraduate Paper

Professional Memberships

• Euretina
• American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
• American Society of Retinal Surgeons (ASRS)
• Vitreo-Retinal Society of India (VRSI)
• All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS)

Special Interests

Retina Imaging and Macular Surgery