No. of Patients (2023-24): 1,85,437
Our Team
Explore our degree programmes designed for the next generation of eye-care professionals.
Nagar School of Optometry (NSO) Team
| Sr. No. | Photos of Staff | Name of Staff | Academic background |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Professor, Principal |
Dr. Reema Raval (MS, ACME, DNB) | Dr. Reema Raval (MS, ACME, DNB) is a Professor of Ophthalmology with extensive academic and clinical experience. She has contributed to several national and international research papers and publications, with a focused interest in glaucoma and strabismus. Dr. Raval has also authored three chapters in Khurana’s Glaucoma, a widely read reference text used in more than 21 countries. |
| 2 |  Senior Lecturer |
Dr. Atanu Samanta (Ph.D. Optometry, faculty of medicine, FIACLE) |
Dr. Atanu Samanta is working as a Senior Lecturer at Nagar School of Optometry since August 2008. He has over 19 years of progressive experience in Allied and Healthcare Sciences. He completed his Master in Optometry from Bharati Vidyapeeth University in 2008 and his Ph.D. in Optometry from Gujarat University in 2019. He is a registered Ph.D. Guide (since July 2023) and a Post Graduate Optometry teacher for research (since 2011) at Gujarat University. He was awarded the prestigious title of Life Fellow of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (FIACLE), Australia in January 2025. He presently serves as the Treasurer of the Optometrists Association of Gujarat and is a member of the Board of Studies at Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, and Charusat University. He has actively engaged in scholarly activities with numerous peer-reviewed publications. Notable contributions include a paper presentation at the 4th IACLE World Congress in Birmingham, UK in 2023 and a discussion on Artificial Intelligence in Optometry at the Vision 2020 conference in 2025, along with so many other contributions in various national and international conferences as guest speaker. His fields of interest include Specialty Contact Lenses, Visual Optics, and Low Vision Aids. |
| 3 |  Senior Lecturer |
Dr. Aloe Gupta (Ph.D. Optometry, faculty of medicine, FIACLE) |
Dr. Aloe Gupta is a recognized PhD Guide (since 2023) and Postgraduate Optometry teacher (since 2011) for optometry at Gujarat University. She is working as a Senior Lecturer at Nagar School of Optometry since 2008. She also serves as the Department In-Charge of Binocular Vision, Orthoptics, Vision Therapy, and Paediatric Optometry Department at C.H. Nagri Eye Hospital, a position she has held since 2012. She has over 19 years of progressive experience in Allied and Healthcare Sciences. She completed her PhD in Optometry from Gujarat University in 2019 Dr Gupta is a Fellow of International Association of Contact Lens Educator, Australia (since 2010) and was awarded the prestigious title of Life Fellow of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators in January 2025. She is credited with establishing the Vision Therapy centre at C.H. Nagri Eye Hospital. She serves as a reviewer for the Elsevier Journal of Optometry, Indian journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology and many others. She has been invited as a guest speaker in several institutes, organisations and conferences. She has also delivered numerous scientific presentations conducted various instruction courses and workshops at national and international conferences. |
| 4 |  Junior Lecturer |
Dr. Kinnari Kalaria (Ph.D. Optometry, faculty of medicine, MBA) |
She has been associated with Nagar School of Optometry and Shree C.H.Nagri Municipal Eye Hospital since February 2010 and is currently working as a Junior Lecturer in Optometry since August 2011. She has a total of 17 years of professional experience in the field of optometry. She completed her MBA degree in June 2016 and was awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Occupational Optometry by Gujarat University in November 2023. She completed the EyeTeach©: Introduction to Clinical Teaching & Learning course in July 2018, organized by the Brian Holden Vision Institute Academy, Sydney, Australia. She also participated in the International Faculty Development Program (iFDP) – Phase I and II, conducted by Gujarat University under the UK–India collaboration in March 2018. She was awarded with the “Best Faculty of the Year – 2022” award at ASCON 2022, an International Optometry Conference, by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). She has actively participated in various conferences, seminars, and workshops. She has published several research papers and posters in national journals and optometry conferences and has also contributed articles to various newsletters. She organized Occupational Eye Camps in multiple industrial estates of Ahmedabad and screened more than 3,000 industrial workers during the period from 2017 to 2020. In June 2024, she was appointed as an Optometrist to the Infection Control Audit Team of the State Government. |
| 5 |  Junior Lecturer |
Dr. Helly Thakkar (Ph.D. Optometry, faculty of medicine, FASCO-LOW VISION) |
Dr. Helly K. Thakkar, PhD, is an experienced optometrist, she is working as Junior Lecturer, she is an academician, and public health professional with a strong focus on low vision care, pediatric optometry, and community eye health. She currently serves as an Optometry Member of the Gujarat State Allied and Healthcare Council (GSAHC) under the National Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) framework and is the Nodal Officer for the West Zone of Ahmedabad under the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI). Dr. Thakkar is a Consultant Optometrist at Nagri Eye Hospital, where she leads Optometric services and heads the Centre for Excellence in Low Vision Therapy, a first-of-its-kind initiative at the institution. She is also a Board Member of the Optometry Association of Gujarat and serves on the Editorial Board of the Indian Journal of Applied Basic Medical Sciences. A PhD holder in Optometry with specialization in Low Vision, Dr. Thakkar is a B.Optom Gold Medalist and secured second rank in M.Optom at Gujarat University. She has authored and presented over 40 research papers, articles, and conference presentations at national and international platforms. Deeply committed to social service, she actively engages in public awareness, pro bono low vision rehabilitation, and inclusive eye care initiatives. |
| 6 |  Junior Lecturer |
Dr. Zalak Shah (Ph.D. Optometry, faculty of medicine, FIACLE) |
Dr. Zalak Shah is an optometrist, academician, and researcher with over a decade of clinical and teaching experience. She currently serves as a Junior Lecturer at Nagar School of Optometry and Consultant Optometrist at Shri C. H. Nagri Eye Hospital, Ahmedabad. She has completed her PhD in Optometry from Gujarat University, with research focused on keratoconus epidemiology, characteristics and associations. Her clinical practice includes comprehensive optometry workups, specialty contact lens fitting, keratoconus management, refractive surgery evaluation, and advanced ocular investigations. Dr. Shah is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), British Contact Lens Association (FBCLA), and International Association of Contact Lens Educators (FIACLE). She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has presented her work at national and international conferences. Her academic interests include corneal imaging, contact lenses, and evidence-based optometric care. Specialisation: Cornea, Contact lens and Refractive surgery technology, Comprehensive optometry and Research. |
| 7 |  Lecturer |
Mr. Darshan Dave (MSC Physics) |
Mr. Darshan Dave is a Lecturer at the Nagar School of Optometry, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He has over 18 years of teaching experience in basic science education and specializes in Optics and Photonics. He is actively involved in teaching undergraduate Optometry students and conducting basic-level research in these fields. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous seminars, conferences, and faculty upgradation programmes, contributing to his ongoing academic and professional development. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Mr. Dave is deeply engaged in mentorship activities, supporting and guiding students in allied healthcare professions. His research interests continue to expand, with recent work focusing on emerging areas in Optics, Quantum Mechanics, and Material Science. |
Ophthalmic Faculties
| Sr. No. | Name of Staff |
|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Nitin V Trivedi (Ms Ophth) |
| 2 | Dr. Tejas Desai (Ms Ophth) |
| 3 | Dr. Dipali Satani (Ms Ophth) |
| 4 | Dr. Kintu Shah (Ms Ophth) |
| 5 | Dr. Reema Raval (Ms Ophth) |
| 6 | Dr. Amit Patel (Ms Ophth) |
| 7 | Dr. Parul Danayak (Ms Ophth) |
| 8 | Dr. Jignasha Parikh (Ms Ophth) |
| 9 | Dr. Ekta G. Shah (Ms Ophth) |