Rajesh Rao, MD

Rajesh Chalamalasetty Rao, MD

Specialty: Ophthalmology
Title: Associate Professor
4.8/5
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Accepts most insurance plans

To request an appointment call

734-764-4190
Rajesh Rao, MD
Rajesh Chalamalasetty Rao, MD
Ophthalmology
  • About
  • Areas of Practice
  • Expertise
  • Locations
  • Insurance
  • Education & Training
  • Research Overview
  • Patient Ratings & Comments
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  • About

    Provider Video

    Areas of Practice

    Diseases and surgery of the retina and vitreous, including retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular disease, ocular trauma, ocular inflammation, macular and submacular surgery, and surgical management of complex retinal detachment

    Locations

    • Retina & Uveitis Clinic | Kellogg Eye Center 1000 Wall St
      Elevator B Floor 2
      Ann Arbor, MI 48105-1912
      Get Directions

    Insurance Accepted

    University of Michigan Health participates with most health insurance plans.

    See our insurance details

    Education & Training

    Medical School or Training

    Yale University School of Medicine, 2007

    Residency

    Harvard Medical School, Ophthalmology, 2011

    Fellowships

    Washington University School of Medicine, Retina, 2013

    Board Certifications

    Ophthalmology

    Research Overview

    Retinal development and stem cells; Retinal epigenetics; Retinal organoids

    Learn more about Dr. Rao's research

    Patient Ratings & Comments

    Visit our Physician Ratings & Comments page to learn more about how patient ratings are collected, calculated, and updated to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right physician for your care.

    Patient Ratings

    444 Patient Ratings

    Patient Comments

    May 23, 2026 - "Dr Rao has been treating me for over [...] years. [...] he is a very caring and skilled surgeon. I love him"

    April 29, 2026 - "Dr. Rao listened attentively and explained everything, including the results exam procedures. I have great confidence in him."

    April 26, 2026 - "Dr Rao is an exceptional doctor and has a pleasant and fun bedside manner"

    April 21, 2026 - "Dr. Rao is such an amazing doctor. I have been working with Dr. Rao for [...] years now and I have gone from requiring [...] to now annual follow ups. Dr. Rao and [...] not only provides treatment but actually educate their patients regarding what is going on and how you as a patient can take ownership of that. They helped me realize how much of my situation is manageable on my end by learning to control my [...]. The difference they have made in my life I cannot simply put into words. They genuinely care about their patients."

    April 16, 2026 - "I have always felt Dr. Rao explains your problem and progress very thoroughly. He listens to you and gives answers to all your questions."

    March 10, 2026 - "Dr. Rao is an excellent physician!"

    March 3, 2026 - "Dr Rao is terrific in every way. He is so smart He communicates with patients so well"

    February 24, 2026 - "I have been seeing Dr. Rao for [...] years and thank God, my eyes are now stable [...]"

    February 23, 2026 - "My condition is benign, just yearly follow up. But Dr Rao is always nice and takes a minute for my questions."

    February 18, 2026 - "I live in [...] now but it is still worth the drive to have Dr. Rao check my eyes biannually."

    Show All Comments

    Featured News & Stories

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    Health Lab

    RNA modifications control how stem cells develop into retinal cells

    Researchers from the University of Michigan investigated which signals control the development of stem cells into retinal cells. Their findings could help inform future research into creating cells for transplantation and screening promising drugs for retinal diseases.
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    Health Lab

    Adult stem cells show therapeutic promise in treating vision loss from macular degeneration

    Researchers used retinal pigment epithelial stem cells derived from adult postmortem eye tissue in a phase 1/2a clinical trial. This is the first treatment to show promise for age-related macular degeneration or AMD.
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    Health Lab

    Finding new hope for people with vision loss

    What do you do when you know there’s a disease that’s as common as all cancers combined that steals a person’s vision? For Rajesh Rao, M.D., you conduct a groundbreaking first-in-human trial, with the goal of using an adult stem cell-based approach to restore vision.