Kavita K. Rao
Associate Clinical Professor, Ophthalmology
School of Medicine
School of Medicine
M.D., Chicago Medical School, 2008
M.S., Chicago Medical School, 2004, Applied Physiology
B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 2003, Molecular & Cell Biology - Cell and Development Biology
M.S., Chicago Medical School, 2004, Applied Physiology
B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 2003, Molecular & Cell Biology - Cell and Development Biology
Phone: Appointments: (949) 824-2020, Academic Office: (949) 824-7944
Fax: (949) 824-4015
Email: kkrao@uci.edu
Fax: (949) 824-4015
Email: kkrao@uci.edu
University of California, Irvine
Department of Ophthalmology
Gavin Herbert Eye Institute
850 Health Sciences Road
Mail Code: 4375
Irvine, CA 92697
Department of Ophthalmology
Gavin Herbert Eye Institute
850 Health Sciences Road
Mail Code: 4375
Irvine, CA 92697
Research Interests
Ultrasound biomicroscopy as a tool in glaucoma evaluation, and intravitreal treatment for diabetic proliferative retinopathy
Websites
Research Abstract
Dept. of Ophthalmology, University of California, Irvine, 2020
· Principal Investigator – Marjan Farid, M.D.
· Sub-Investigator – Kavita Rao, M.D., M.S.
Risk Factors for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in the Era of Meibography
The purpose of this research study is to understand the association of various potential risk factors (e.g.contact lens use, makeup, screen time, etc.) with meibomian gland dysfunction and associated changes on meibography. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a leading cause of dry eyes, which can decrease vision quality as well as quality of life. Meibography is a way to image the glands, often using infrared dynamic surface illumination. We will attempt to correlate changes in meibomian glands (dropout, truncation, etc.) to various risk factors that will be collected by survey or retrospective chart review.
Dept. of Urology, University of California, Irvine, 2017
· Principal Investigator – Gamal Ghoniem, M.D., FACS
· Sub-Investigator – Kavita Rao, M.D., M.S.
The LEADERSHIP 301 Trial: A 12-Week, Randomized, Multi-Center, Double-Blind,
Placebo-Controlled, 3-Arm, Parallel-Group, Phase 3 Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and
Safety of 2 Doses of AQX-1125 Targeting the SHIP1 Pathway in Subjects with Interstitial
Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Followed by 14 or 40-Week Extension Periods.
The purpose of this research study is to compare two dose levels of AQX-1125 (active study drug) to placebo (inactive study drug) in order determine which dose works best, how well the study drug is tolerated and how safe the study drug is in the treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). AQX-1125 caused eye toxicity in rat and dog animal studies. In rats, deterioration of the eye lens and cataracts (cloudy lens formation) were observed. Similar findings were seen in dogs at much higher doses. No similar changes have been seen in humans so far but the risk of developing cataracts with long term exposure, even after completing dosing, is currently unknown.
· Principal Investigator – Marjan Farid, M.D.
· Sub-Investigator – Kavita Rao, M.D., M.S.
Risk Factors for Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in the Era of Meibography
The purpose of this research study is to understand the association of various potential risk factors (e.g.contact lens use, makeup, screen time, etc.) with meibomian gland dysfunction and associated changes on meibography. Meibomian gland dysfunction is a leading cause of dry eyes, which can decrease vision quality as well as quality of life. Meibography is a way to image the glands, often using infrared dynamic surface illumination. We will attempt to correlate changes in meibomian glands (dropout, truncation, etc.) to various risk factors that will be collected by survey or retrospective chart review.
Dept. of Urology, University of California, Irvine, 2017
· Principal Investigator – Gamal Ghoniem, M.D., FACS
· Sub-Investigator – Kavita Rao, M.D., M.S.
The LEADERSHIP 301 Trial: A 12-Week, Randomized, Multi-Center, Double-Blind,
Placebo-Controlled, 3-Arm, Parallel-Group, Phase 3 Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and
Safety of 2 Doses of AQX-1125 Targeting the SHIP1 Pathway in Subjects with Interstitial
Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Followed by 14 or 40-Week Extension Periods.
The purpose of this research study is to compare two dose levels of AQX-1125 (active study drug) to placebo (inactive study drug) in order determine which dose works best, how well the study drug is tolerated and how safe the study drug is in the treatment of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS). AQX-1125 caused eye toxicity in rat and dog animal studies. In rats, deterioration of the eye lens and cataracts (cloudy lens formation) were observed. Similar findings were seen in dogs at much higher doses. No similar changes have been seen in humans so far but the risk of developing cataracts with long term exposure, even after completing dosing, is currently unknown.
Publications
1. Tsai PL, Kamat KK, Pathak N, Danek K, Ahuja RM Efficacy of Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) in Patients With Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis Sci. 49: E2736, 2008.
2. Eide MK, Tsai PL, Pathak NJ, Kamat KK, Riaz KM, Ahuja RM. Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) in Patients with Neovascular Glaucoma. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 49: E5590, 2008.
3. Pathak NJ, Tsai PL, Kamat KK, Riaz KM, Gupta AP, Ahuja RM. Effect of Intravitreous Injection of Bevacizumab on Systemic Blood Pressure. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 49: E5589, 2008.
4. Bell NP, Nagi KS, Cumba RJ, Chuang AZ, Lee DA, Prager TC, Rao K, Feldman RM. Age and Positional Effect on the Anterior Chamber Angle: Assessment by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy. ISRN Ophthalmol. 706201, 2013.
5. Rao K, Ahmed I, Blake DA, Ayyala RS. New devices in glaucoma surgery. Expert Rev. Ophthalmol. 2009;4(5), 491-504. Published online January 9, 2014
2. Eide MK, Tsai PL, Pathak NJ, Kamat KK, Riaz KM, Ahuja RM. Intravitreal Bevacizumab (Avastin) in Patients with Neovascular Glaucoma. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 49: E5590, 2008.
3. Pathak NJ, Tsai PL, Kamat KK, Riaz KM, Gupta AP, Ahuja RM. Effect of Intravitreous Injection of Bevacizumab on Systemic Blood Pressure. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 49: E5589, 2008.
4. Bell NP, Nagi KS, Cumba RJ, Chuang AZ, Lee DA, Prager TC, Rao K, Feldman RM. Age and Positional Effect on the Anterior Chamber Angle: Assessment by Ultrasound Biomicroscopy. ISRN Ophthalmol. 706201, 2013.
5. Rao K, Ahmed I, Blake DA, Ayyala RS. New devices in glaucoma surgery. Expert Rev. Ophthalmol. 2009;4(5), 491-504. Published online January 9, 2014
Professional Societies
Orange County Society of Ophthalmology (OCSO) 2017
American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) 2017
American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) 2016 – Present
Other Experience
Clinical Specialist - General Ophthalmology
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 2013—2016
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 2013—2016
Residency, Ophthalmology
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 2010—2013
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 2010—2013
Internship, Internal Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston 2009—2010
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston 2009—2010
Research Fellow, Department of Ophthalmology
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 2008—2009
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 2008—2009
Research Centers
Gavin Herbert Eye Institute
Link to this profile
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=6299
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=6299
Last updated
02/24/2023
02/24/2023