Dr Bhim Rai
Areas of expertise
- Neurosciences 1109
- Ophthalmology 111301
- Optical Technology 111302
- Vision Science 111303
Research interests
Vitreoretinal diseases such as AMD, diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema; diabetic peripheral neuropathy; glaucoma; multiple sclerosis; Alzheimer's disease; medical technology; low vision management; public health policy.
Biography
I am an overseas ophthalmologist with sub-speciality in vitreoretinal diseases. I have over 15 years of clinical practice as ophthalmologist, including 5 years as vitreoretinal surgeon. I am a faculty member in Postgraduate Medical Education Centre, University Medical Sciences of Bhutan, and also teaching optometry, nursing and paramedics. In Bhutan, I was the founding head of the Vitreoretinal unit, established and implimented the national programs such National Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Program, and National Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening Program. I effected introducing and implementing advanced technologies in Bhutan such as Phaco-emulsification technique of cataract operation, Diode-green and Nd:YAG laser retinal therapies, and vitreoretinal surgeries.
Having completed PhD recently, now I am working as a research fellow at the John Curtin School of Medical Research, Australian National University, under Professor Ted Maddess, Diagnostics for Eye Disease. The group, led by Professor Maddess, is developing objective form of visual field testing machine based on pupillography. Current research studies include AMD, diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema in type 1 diabetes, glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, concussion injuries among the footballers, and multiple sclerosis. I am also involved in other projects including the multi-centre FAME 1 study (The Fenofibrate And Microvascular Events in Type 1 diabetes), and OHIOH (Our Health in Our Hands – an ANU funded initiative.
Researcher's projects
1. PhD Program - Vitreoretinal diseases, objective perimetry and epidemiology (completed)
2. FAME 1 Eye Study (The Fenofibrate And Microvascular Events in Type 1 diabetes Eye)
3. OHIOH Project (Our Health In Our Hands): Advanced Eye Research Sub-Study
4. OCTA - MAWA trust research grant 2021.
Available student projects
1. Diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema in type 1 DM.
2. Neurological studies among diabetes patients.
3. Age-related macular degeneration
Current student projects
The Role of Matrix Perimetryin Monitoring Early Retinal Disease andPredicting Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetics.
Publications
- Sabeti, F, Lane, J, Rohan, M et al. 2021, 'Correlation of central versus peripheral macular structure-function with acuity in age-related macular degeneration', Translational Vision Science & Technology, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1-12.
- Rai, B, Morley, M, Zangmo, P et al. 2020, 'Retinal laser services in Bhutan: A 3-year national survey', BMC Ophthalmology, vol. 20, no. 404, pp. 1-6.
- Rai, B, Morley, M, Bernstein, P et al. 2020, 'Pattern of vitreo-retinal diseases at the national referral hospital in Bhutan: a retrospective, hospital-based study', BMC Ophthalmology, vol. 20, no. 51, pp. 1-11.
- Rai, B, Ashby, R, French, A et al. 2020, 'Rural-urban differences in myopia prevalence among myopes presenting to Bhutanese retinal clinical services: a 3-year national study', Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, vol. 259, no. 3, pp. 613-621.
- Rai, B, Sabeti, F, Carle, C et al. 2019, 'Recovery dynamics of multifocal pupillographic objective perimetry from tropicamide dilation', Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology, vol. 258, pp. 191-200.
- Rai, B, Shresthra, M, Thapa, R et al. 2019, 'Pattern and Presentation of Vitreo-Retinal Diseases: An Analysis of Retrospective Data at a Tertiary Eye Care Center in Nepal', Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology, vol. 8, no. 6, pp. 481-488.
