Dr. R. Usha Kim

Qualification
DO, DNB
Designation
Chief, Orbit, Oculoplasty, Ocular Oncology & Ocular Prosthetics, Professor in Ophthalmology
Director, Allied Ophthalmic Personnel Training Programme Aravind Eye Care System
Regional HR Director - Madurai, Theni and Dindigul
Active Reg.No
48905/TN
Location
Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai

Introduction

Dr. Usha Kim heads the Department of Orbit, Oculoplasty, Ocular Oncology and Ocular Prosthetics at Aravind Eye Hospitals. After completing her graduation in Medicine from the prestigious PSG Institute of Medicine, Coimbatore, she went on to complete her residency in Ophthalmology at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. Later, she underwent specialised training in the field of Orbit, Oculoplasty and Ocular Oncology under the guidance of Dr. William B. Stewart at the University of California, USA.

In 1998, Dr. Usha started the Department of Orbit and Oculoplasty at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. Under her leadership, the department has become a Centre of Excellence in the treatment of the rarer ocular conditions that have to do with trauma, congenital anomalies and cancers of the eye. The department has become one of the leading units for diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and research in this field of ophthalmology. In the last 25 years, this clinic has seen over 6,97,394 patients and performed over 1,57,451 surgeries – making it one among the largest units for orbit and oculoplasty work in the world. The Department has integrated oncology care for patients as well as started providing custom-made ocular prosthetics. Dr. Usha continues to be a high-volume cataract surgeon at Aravind in addition to her surgical expertise in Orbit & Oculoplasty.

Deeply moved by the plight of hapless patients who discontinue treatment for want of money, Dr. Usha set up the Ring of Hope initiative in 2004 to raise funds for the treatment of ocular cancers. To date, 16,601 patients have been treated free of cost under this programme.

Dr. Usha’s unit is also a preferred destination for training in Orbit, Oculoplasty, Ocular Oncology & Ocular Prosthetics Services – so far, 100 ophthalmologists have undergone long-term fellowship under her; 35 international fellows have undergone short-term training. In addition, 100  ocularists from across the globe have been trained in the technical skills of producing custom-made ocular prosthetics. (17,149, Facial prosthesis 104)

Research & Publications

Dr. Usha has 102 publications to her credit, including International and National State Journals.

She has also contributed to several books. She has coauthored the Atlas of Imaging in Neuro-ophthalmology and Orbit. She is currently the reviewer of the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology.

Indexed Journals

  1. Narang P, Ravindran R, Ravilla T, Kim U, Kannusamy V, Prajna NV, Keenan JD. Allied Ophthalmic Personnel: Backbone of Aravind’s Eye Care and Social Mission. Eye (Lond). 2026 Jan 21. [Epub]
  2. Tanwar M, Sharma V, Kim U. Ectopic Canine Tooth in the Superior Orbit. Ophthalmology. 2026 Jan 16. [Epub]
  3. Sharma V, Baskaran AA, Kim U. Moniliform blepharosis: a pathognomonic feature of lipoid proteinosis. Eye (Lond). 2025 Sep 19. [Epub]
  4. Assane Rachidou MHA, Vanniarajan A, Kim U, Devarajan B. Analysing Differential Alternative Splicing Events and Their Impact on Retinoblastoma Progression Using RNA-seq Metadata. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2025 May 1;26(5):1781-1792.
  5. Sethu Nagarajan R, Kim U, Shanthi R, Vanniarajan A. Investigation of GD2 synthase as a potential marker for retinoblastoma poor prognosis. Mol Biol Rep. 2025 Apr 9;52(1):372.
  6. Saraswathi KK, Saini P, Santhi R, Muthukkaruppan V, Vanniarajan A, Kim U. Ocular adnexal lymphoma – A single-center observational study of survival outcomes. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2025 Feb 1;73(2):261-266. Epub 2024 Dec 27.
  7. Shetty S, Devaraj A, Kim U, Vijayalakshmi P, Padurangan S. Isolated Idiopathic Inferior Rectus Myositis: Taming a Rare Disease at a Rare Site. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024 Nov-Dec;61(6):e59-e62.
  8. Saraswathi KK, Santhi R, Kim U, Vanniarajan A. Investigating the frequency of somatic MYD88 L265P mutation in primary ocular adnexal B cell lymphoma. Mol Biol Rep. 2024 Sep 9;51(1):973.
  9. Kim U, Perzia B, Kulkarni P, Rajiniganth M, Sundar B, Robin AL, Garg Shukla A, Maeng MM. COVID-19-associated rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: a single center prospective study of 264 patients. Orbit. 2024 Jul 25:1-10. [Epub]
  10. Jeyaprakash K, Kumaran M, Kim U, Santhi R, Muthukkaruppan V, Devarajan B, Vanniarajan A. Investigating druggable kinases for targeted therapy in retinoblastoma. J Hum Genet. 2024 Jul 1. [Epub]
  11. Balaji S, Rao A, Saraswathi KK, Nagarajan RS, Santhi R, Kim U, Muthukkaruppan V, Vanniarajan A. Focused cancer pathway analysis revealed unique therapeutic targets in retinoblastoma. Med Oncol. 2024;41:168.
  12. Kulkarni P, Beeraka D, Tanwar M, Kim U, Ganesan RM, Saini P. Frontal osteomyelitis post-COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Jul;71(7):2906-2910.
  13. Tanwar M, Chakrabarty S, Chowdhury G, Kim U. Mapping prognostic factors for globe survival in panophthalmitis using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models: A retrospective study. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Jul;71(7):2812-2817.
  14. Jeyaprakash K, Thirumalairaj K, Kim U, Muthukkaruppan V, Vanniarajan A. RB1 transcript analysis detects novel splicing aberration in retinoblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Mar 14:e30290.
  15. Bansal R, Kim RU, Bhaskaran S, Spivey BE, Honavar SG. Through the prism of inspiration – Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Mar;71(3):693-696.
  16. Bansal R, Krishnadas R, Kim RU, Spivey BE, Honavar SG. The Warrior Soul of the Soil with an Evergreen Vision – Dr. Govindappa Natchiar. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 Feb;71(2):339-341.
  17. Kim U, Vardhan A, Datta D, Mekhala A, Kishore N, Rathi G, Hildebrand PL. Regurgitation on pressure over the lacrimal sac versus lacrimal irrigation in determining lacrimal obstruction prior to intraocular surgeries. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022 Nov;70(11):3833-3836.
  18. Nesemann JM, Srinivasan M, Ravindran RD, Edwards T, O’Brien KS, Kim UR, Wilkins JH, Whitcher JP, Lietman TM, Gritz DC, Keenan JD. Relationship between cooking fuel and lens opacities in South India: a 15-year prospective cohort study. Am J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jul 8. [Epub]
  19. Kim U, Kulkarni P, Saini P. Commentary: Combating COVID 19 associated mucormycosis with limited resources. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jun;70(6):2169.
  20. Theiveegan D, Tanwar M, Kulkarni P, Mohan S, Kim U. Orbital tooth – not always a teratoma : a case report Orbit 2023 Dec;42(6):650-653.
  21. Mishra C, Kim U, Dheera MS, Krishnakumar K. Combined treatment modality including topical 20% fluorescein dye in the management of phthiriasis palpebrarum – A case series. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2022 Apr;70(4):1327-1330.
  22. Kulkarni P, Tanwar M, Kim U. Searching beyond nevi – A rare case of neurocutaneous ocular syndrome. Orbit . 2023 Oct;42(5):553-557.
  23. Tanwar M, Balaji S, Vanniarajan A, Kim U, Chowdhury G. Parental age and retinoblastoma—a retrospective study of demographic data and genetic analysis.. Eye (Lond) . 2022 Jan;36(1):57-63.
  24. Jeyaprakash K, Shanthini T, Kim U, Muthukkaruppan V, Vanniarajan A. Human papillomavirus in retinoblastoma: A tertiary eye care center study from South India. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2021 Aug;69(8):2111-2115.
  25. Balaji S, Kim U, Muthukkaruppan V, Vanniarajan A. Emerging role of tumor microenvironment derived exosomes in therapeutic resistance and metastasis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Life Sci. 2021 Sep;280:119750.
  26. Sen M, Honavar SG, Bansal R, Sengupta S, Rao R, Kim U, Rangarajan V, and the members of the Collaborative OPAI-IJO Study on Mucormycosis in COVID-19 (COSMIC) Study Group.
  27. Epidemiology, clinical profile, management, and outcome of COVID‑19‑associated rhino‑orbital‑cerebral mucormycosis in 2826 patients in India – Collaborative OPAI‑IJO Study on Mucormycosis in COVID‑19 (COSMIC), Report 1. Indian J Ophthalmol 2021 Jul;69(7):1670-1692.
  28. Shanthini T, Balaji S, Kim U, Muthukkaruppan V, Vanniarajan A. Genetic characterization of a patient with an unusual presentation of Waardenburg syndrome Type 4 and retinoblastoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2021 Jan;68(1):e28553.
  29. Manjandavida FP, Honavar SG, Kim U, Singh U, Menon V, Das S, Kaliki S, Palanivelu MS, Khetan V, Shah PK, Rishi P, Mulay K, Gandhi A, Vadhiraja BM, Reddy VA, Bhat S, Rao V. Ocular oncology practice guidelines during COVID-19 pandemic-An expert consensus. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2020;68:1281-1291.
  30. Ali MJ, Hegde R, Nair AG, Bajaj MS, Betharia SM, Bhattacharjee K, Chhabra AK, Das JK, Dudeja G, Grover AK, Honavar SG, Kim U, Mahesh L, Mukherjee B, Sethi A, Sharma M, Singh U. All India Ophthalmological Society – Oculoplastics Association of India consensus statement on preferred practices in oculoplasty and lacrimal surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2020;68:974-980.
  31. Balaji S, Santhi R, Kim U, Muthukkaruppan V, Priya CG, Vanniarajan A. Cancer Stem Cells with Overexpression of Neuronal Markers Enhance Chemoresistance and Invasion in Retinoblastoma. Curr Cancer Drug Targets . 2020;20(9):710-719.
  32. Srinivasan M, Ravindran RD, O’Brien KS, Kim UR, Wilkins JH, Whitcher JP, Lietman TM, Gritz DC, Keenan JD. Antioxidant Vitamins for Cataracts: 15-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Trial. Ophthalmology . 2020 Jul;127(7):986-987.
  33. Kim U, Mishra C, Dheera MS. Phthiriasis palpebrarum in a psychiatric patient. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2020;11:125.
  34. Usha Kim, Gunjan Rathi, Gunja Chowdhary, Srinavasan KG, Shanthi R, Prabhu Krishna R S. Accuracy of preoperative imaging in predicting optic nerve invasion in retinoblastoma: A retrospective study. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2019;67:2019-22.
  35. Chitaranjan Mishra, Usha Kim, Sai Dheera M. Combined treatment modality for phthiriasis palpebrarum. Indian J Med Microbiol. 2019;37:296-7.
  36. Abraham A, Thirumalairaj K, Gaikwad N, Muthukkaruppan V, Reddy AG, Thangaraj K, Usha Kim, Vanniarajan A. Retinoblastoma discordance in families with twins. Indian J Ophthalmol 2019;67:436-439.
  37. Adulkar NG, Shanthi R, Vidhya N, Usha Kim. Invasive sino-orbital fungal infections in immunocompetent patients: a clinico-pathological study. Eye (Lond). 2019;33:988-994.
  38. Khedekar A, Bharanidharan D, Kim R, Muthukkaruppan V, Usha Kim. Smartphone-based application improves the detection of retinoblastoma. Eye (Lond). 2019;33:896-901.
  39. Sukhdeep B, Rana NM, Pimple D, Usha Kim R. What may Lie Beneath. Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2017;31:124-125.
  40. Bains, S, Usha Kim R, Shanthi, R. Orbital Melanoma with Calcification: a diagnostic dilemma. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2016;64:932-934.
  41. Shanthi, R, Namrata Adulkar, Usha Kim R. Primary Cutaneous Histoplasmosis Mimicking Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Eyelid: a case report and review of literature. Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2016;59:227-228
  42. Lalan Kumar Arya Rathinam, Sivakumar R, Lalitha, Prajna, Usha Kim R, Sudeep, Ghatani, Tandon, Veena.Trematode Fluke Procerovum Varium as cause of Ocular Inflammation in Children, South India. Emerg Infect Dis.2016;22:192-200.
  43. Usha Kim R, Bhagwati, W and Lalitha, Prajna.Primary Canaliculitis: the incidence, clinical features, outcome and long-term epiphora after snip-punctoplasty and curettage. Saudi J Ophthalmol.2015;29:274-277.
  44. Bain S, Vidhya, N, Usha Kim R, Shanthi, R, Devanand, J. Subcutaneous Dissemination from an Orbital Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma. Orbit. 2015;34:338-339.
  45. Namrata Adulkar, Vanniarajan, A, Husain, Akram, Jeyaram, I, Thirumalairaj, K, Shanthi, R, Muthukkaruppan, V R, Usha Kim R. Knudson’s Hypothesis Revisited in Indian Retinoblastoma Patients. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2015;11:299-307.
  46. Thirumalairaj K, Aloysius A Abraham, Bharanidharan, D, Gaikwad, N, Usha Kim R, Muthukkaruppan, V R, Vanniarajan, A.A Stepwise Strategy for Rapid and Cost-Effective RB1 Screening in Indian Retinoblastoma Patients. J Human Genet. 2015;60:547-552.
  47. Bharanidharan D, Logambiga, P, Thirumalairaj, K, Aloysius A Abraham, Usha Kim R, Muthukkaruppan, V R, Vanniarajan, A.Targeted Next Generation Sequencing of RB1 Gene for the Molecular Diagnosis of Retinoblastoma. BMC Cancer. 2015;15:320.
  48. Namrata Adulkar, Arunkumar, M J, Mahesh Kumar, Usha Kim R. Unusual Case of Temporal Dermoid Cyst Presenting as Oculomotor Nerve Palsy. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2014;62:1032-1034.
  49. Bijnya Panda, Usha Kim R. Complications of Retained Intraorbital Wooden Foreign Body. Oman J Ophthalmol.2014;7:38-39.
  50. Namrata Adulkar, Usha Kim R, Shashikant Shetty. Superior Oblique Muscle Entrapment in Orbital Fracture Presenting as Acquired Brown-Like Syndrome: a case report and review of literature. Ophthalmic Plas Reconstructive Surgery. 2014; 30:e26-8.
  51. Namrata Adulkar, Shanthi, R, Vidhya, N, Usha Kim R. RPE Adenocarcinoma as the Presenting Sign of Bronchogenic Carcinoma: diagnostic dilemma in the management of a case. Case Rep Ophthalmol Med. 2013;2013:786378.
  52. Namrata Adulkar, Shanthi R, Usha Kim R. A Unique Case of Intracorneal Aberrant Lenticular Rest. J AAPOS. 2013;17:326-327.
  53. Usha Kim R, Kavitha, R Sivaraman. Penetrating Orbital Injuries from Plant Material during Pond and River Diving. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2013;61:76-77.
  54. Rathinam SR, Arya LM, Usha Kim R, Lalitha, Prajna, Veena Tandon.Novel Etiological Agent: molecular evidence for trematode-induced anterior uveitis in children. Arch Ophthal.2012;130 :1481-1483.
  55. Gowri Priya C, Arpitha, Parthasarathy, Vaishali, S, Prajna, N Venkatesh, Usha Kim R, Sheetal, K, Muthukkaruppan, V R.Adult Human Buccal Epithelial Stem Cells: identification, ex-vivo expansion, and transplantation for corneal surface reconstruction. Eye. 2011;25:1641-1649.
  56. Usha Kim R, Vipul Arora, Akash, D Shah, Urvasi Solanki. Clinical Features and Management of Posttraumatic Subperiosteal Hematoma of the Orbit. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2011;59:55-58.
  57. Usha Kim R, Akash, D Shah, Vipul Arora, Urvasi Solanki. Isolated Optic Nerve Infiltration in Systemic Lymphoma – A Case Report and Review of Literature. Ophthalmic Plas Reconstructive Surgery. 2010;26:291-3.
  58. Usha Kim R, Akash, D Shah, Shanthi, R, Vipul Arora. Primary T Cell, Histiocyte-Rich Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Orbit. Ophthalmic Plas Reconstructive Surgery. 2011;27:e31-2.
  59. Usha Kim R, Hadi, M Khazaei, Bill, Stewart W, Akash, D Shah. Spectrum of Orbital Disease in South India: an Aravind study of 6328 consecutive patients. Ophthalmic Plas Reconstructive Surgery. 2010;26:315-322.
  60. Usha Kim R, Akash, D Shah, Shanthi, R, Vipul Arora. Primary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Eyelid. Ophthalmic Plas Reconstructive Surgery. 2010;26:134-136.
  61. Vipul Arora, Usha Kim R, Shashikant Shetty, Akash, D Shah. Atypical Presentation of an Unusual Foreign Body. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2010;58:338-339.
  62. Usha Kim R, Vipul Arora, Shanthi, R, Akash, D Shah, Phelps, Paul O. Orbital Hyalinizing Spindle Cell Tumor with Giant Rosettes. Ophthalmic Plas Reconstructive Surgery. 2010;26:30-32.
  63. Svati Bansal, Usha Kim R. Bilateral Isolated Orbital Neurofibroma. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2010;1-3.
  64. Rajiniganth MG, Usha Kim R, Mahesh Kumar. Coexistent Optic Neuritis and Isolated Acute Sphenoid Sinusitis. Clinical Rhinology. 2009:47-50.
  65. Usha Kim R. Multimodality Treatment Approach in Management of Primary Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Orbit. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009;57:395-398.
  66. Vipul Arora, Usha Kim R, Hadi, M Khazaei. Delleman Oorthuys Syndrome: oculocerebrocutaneous syndrome. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009;57:387-389.
  67. Vipul Arora, Usha Kim R, Hadi, M Khazaei, Shivayogi Kusagur. Ophthalmic Complications Including Retinal Detachment in Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E (Job’s) Syndrome: case report and review of literature. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009;57:385-386.
  68. Usha Kim R, Vipul Arora, Shanthi, R, Akash, D Shah. Neglected Giant Atypical Fibroxanthoma of the Eyelid. Ophthalmic Plas Reconstructive Surgery. 2009;25
  69. Usha Kim R, Vipul Arora, Akash, D Shah, Srinivasan, K G. Ocular Malformation with a Double Globe Appearance. Indian J Radiol Imaging. 2009;19:298-300.
  70. Rajiniganth, Usha Kim R, Vipul Arora. Xanthoma in the Supraorbital Ethimoid Cell: an unusual lesion at unusual site. Clinical Rhinology. 2008
  71. Madge SN, Prabhakaran, V C, Shome, D, Usha Kim R, Honavar, S, Selva, D. Orbital Tuberculosis: a review of the literature. Orbit. 2008;27:267-277.
  72. Nallathambi J, Lessaffre, Corinne, Moumne, Lara, Padaranayaka, swari, Usha Kim R, Krishnaswamy, S, Sundaresan, P, Veita, Reiner A. Differential Functional Effects of Novel Mutations of the Transcription Factor FOXL2 in BPES Patients. Hum Mutat. 2008;29:123-130.
  73. Nallathambi J, Neethirajan G, Usha Kim R, Jitendra Jethani, Sundaresan, P. FOXL2 mutaions in Indian Families with Bleparophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus Syndrome. J Genetics. 2007;86:165-168.
  74. Nallathambi J, Moumne, L, De Baere E, Beysen, E, Usha Kim R, Sundaresan, P, Veitia, R A. A Novel polyalanine Expansion in FOXL2: the Forst Evidence for a recessive form of the Blepharophimosis Syndrome (BPES) associated with Ovarian Dysfunction. Hum Genet. 2007;121:107-112.
  75. Usha Kim R, Smitha, S, Nagendra Shah, Lalitha, Prajna, Rahul Kelkar. Spectrum and the Susceptibilities of Microbial Isolates in Cases of Congenital Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction. J AAPOS. 2006;10:469-472.
  76. Vijayalakshmi P, Jitendra Jethani, Usha Kim R. Congenital Unilateral Ocular Fibrosis Syndrome Secondary to Benign Congenial Tumor. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2006;54:123-125.
  77. Gritz DC, Srinivasan, M, Smith, S D, Usha Kim R, Lietman, T M, Wilkins, J H, Priyadharshini, B, John, R K, Aravind, S, Prajna, N Venkatesh, Thulasiraj, R D, Whitcher, J P. The Antioxidants in Prevention of Cataract Study: effects of antioxidant supplements on cataract progression in South India. Br J Ophthalmol. 2006;90:847-851.
  78. Gritz DC, Srinivasan, M, Smith, Scott D, Usha Kim R, Lietman, Thomas M, Wilkins, John H, Priyadarshini, Brinda, Aravind, Srinivasan, Prajna, N Venkatesh, Smolin, Gilbert, Thulasiraj, R D, Selvaraj, Sivasubramaniam, Whitcher, John P. Antioxidants in Prevention of Cataracts in South India: methodology and baseline data. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2006;13:97-107.
  79. Thakker MM, Usha Kim R. Orbital Foreign Body and Ruptured Globe from Needlefish Impalement. Arch Ophthal. 2006;124:284.
  80. Mansberger SL, Johnson, Chris A, Cioffi, George A, Choi, Dongseok, Krishnadas, R, Srinivasan, M, Balamurugan, V, Usha Kim R, Smith, Scott D, Wilkins, John H, Gritz, David C. Predictive Value of Frequency Doubling Technology Perimetry for Detecting Glaucoma in a Developing Country. J Glaucoma. 2005;14:128-134.
  81. Vasumathy V, Kim, R, Ganesan, S, Usha Kim R. Hemiretinal Vein Occlusion Associated with Pseudotumour Orbit: an observational case report. Eye. 2005;19:353-356.
  82. Rathinam SR, Usha Kim R, Rao, Narsing A. Presumed Trematode-induced Granulomatous Anterior Uveitis: a newly recognized cause of intraocular inflammation in children from South India. Am J Ophthalmol. 2002;133:773-779.

Non-Indexed Journals

  1. Benedicto N, Tanwar M, Kim U, Radhakrishnan S. BONE(Y)‑EYED! ‑ Epibulbar osseous choristoma: A case report. Indian J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2025 Apr-Jun;5(2):239-241.
  2. Benedicto N, Tanwar M, Kitaguch Y, Kim U. Paediatric IgG4 related ophthalmic disease (IgG4‑ROD) presenting as bilateral dacryoadenitis. A case report. Indian J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2025;5:1213.
  3. Khetwani DS, Tanwar M, Kim UR, Radhakrishnan S. Necrotizing dacryometaplasia – A needle in haystack of necrotizing sialometaplasia. J Clin Ophthalmol Res. 2023 Jan-Apr;11(1):72-74
  4. Chowdhury G, Tanwar M, Kim U, Krishnan SR. Eyelid trichoblastoma – A case series. J Clin Ophthalmol Res. 2021;9:123-127.
  5. Rajan RP, Kim U, Maitray A, Jena S, Sen S. A Rare Case of Acute Hemorrhagic Retinopathy Following Intravitreal Melphalan Injection for Persistent Vitreous Seeds in Retinoblastoma. J Vitreoretin Dis. 2021 Jul 26. [Epub]
  6. Tanwar M, Chakrabarty S, Chowdhury G, Kim U, Rajaiah P. Usefulness of mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid barcoding in identification of Chrysomya bezziana ophthalmomyasis: A case report. Indian J Ophthalmol Case Rep. 2021;1:154-5.
  7. Usha Kim R. Guest Editorial. TNOA. 2015;52:738-740.
  8. Usha R Kim, Gupta M, Vidhya N, Shanthi R. Ocular Dirofilariarepens: not rare. Delhi J Ophthalmol. 2013;24:34-36.
  9. Bijnya Panda, Usha Kim R, Vidhya N. Pigmented Lesions of Conjunctiva-Pearls for Diagnosis & Management. DOS Times. 2013;18:29-32.
  10. Usha Kim R, Namrata Adulkar. Lacrimal Gland and Lacrimal Sac Infections. TNOA. 2012;50:26-29.
  11. Usha Kim R, Vishal Nigam. Idiopathic Orbital Inflammatory Disorders. TNOA. 2010;48:28-32.
  12. Akash D Shah, Usha Kim R. Massive Atypical Leukemia Cutis (LC) of Eyelids as a Presenting Sign of B-Cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (B-Cell). TNOA. 2009;47:71-72.
  13. Akash D Shah, Vipul Aroral, Ankur Shrivastava, Usha Kim R, Shanthi R. Rosai-Dorfman Disease of Lacrimal Gland: a case report. TNOA. 2009;47:85-87.
  14. Vipul Arora, Akash D Shah, Urvasi Solanki, Usha Kim R, Shanthi R. Pseudo Pseudotumor of Orbit – Subconjunctival Dirofilariasis with Orbital Involvement. TNOA. 2009;47:81-82.
  15. Vipul Arora, Akash D Shah, Usha Kim R. Kimura’s Disease – an Unusual Presentation. TNOA. 2009;47:78-80.
  16. Chandramohan K, Vidhya, Bipasha, Usha Kim R. Orbital Secondaries from Thyroid – A Rare Presentation. TNOA. 2002;43:21-22.
  17. Preethy Rangan, Siva Prasad, Usha Kim R. Cavernous Hemangioma Causing Luxated Globe. TNOA. 1999;40:37-38.
  18. Sirisha B, Saileela H, Usha Kim R, Subburam P. Dysthyroid Optic Neuropathy – A Case Report. TNOA. 1999;40:45-48.
  19. Saileela H, Usha Kim R, Subburam P. Eosinophilic Granuloma of the Orbit – A Case Report. TNOA. 1998;39:45-48.
  20. Veena K, Usha Kim R., Granular Cell Myoblastoma of the Lid – A Case Report. TNOA. 1998;38:47-48.

Completed Research Projects:

  1. Corneal Surface Reconstruction Using Bio-Engineered Autologous Oral (Buccal) Mucosal Epithelium
  2. Genetic and functional analysis of FOXL2 gene in Indian Patients with BPES syndrome.
  3. Comparative study of the success rate of laser DCR with or without use of Aluminum foil coated protectors for middle turbinate
  4. Randomized, double blind, active controlled study of the efficacy, surgical outcome and complications of Silicone Rod Sling in frontalis sling suspension surgery
  5. Factors Responsible for the Generation of Epithelial Sheet Rich in Stem Cells under ex-vivo conditions from the Limbal and Buccal Biopsy
  6. National Retinoblastoma Registry
  7. Socket Reconstruction using Bio-Engineered Autologous Oral Mucosal Epithelium
  8. Developing Xenobiotic-free Culture conditions to Generate Stem-Cell Rich Epithelium for Corneal Surface Reconstruction
  9. National Retinoblastoma Registry
  10. Prospective clinical evaluation of Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with lacrimal intubation
  11. Oral Clonidine premedication in patients undergoing dacryocystorhinostomy under local anesthesia
  12. Translational Research to Generate
  13. Corneal/Buccal Epithelial Stem Cells with GMP Compliance for Corneal Surface and Socket Reconstruction
  14. Establishing the genetic testing centre for childhood ocular cancer (retinoblastoma) in Aravind Medical Research Foundation
  15. Genetic and transcript analysis of RB1 gene in South Indian Retinoblastoma patients
  16. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of chemoresistance in Retinoblastoma (CSIR Fellowship to Balaji)
  17. Molecular characterization of tumor progression in retinoblastoma (INSPIRE Fellowship to Shanthini)
  18. Translational Genomics of Paediatric Eye Diseases (1 Lead +3 Major +1 R&D Projects)
  19. Identification and validation of deregulated cancer pathways in retinoblastoma
  20. Translational Genomics of Ocular Tumors
  21. Targeted modulation of E2F3 and KIF14 pathway in Retinoblastoma refractory to existing chemotherapeutic drugs
  22. Evaluation of GD2 synthase as a prognostic biomarker in retinoblastoma
  23. Elucidating the role of cancer stem cells in chemoresistant retinoblastoma and their therapeutic implications (Senior research Fellowship to Sethu Nagarajan)
  24. Molecular characterization of ocular lymphoma for improved disease Prognosis

On Going Research Projects :

  1. Functional repair of mutant RB1 by CRISPR-mediated gene editing in retinal tumor cells of bilateral RB patients

Activities

Dr Usha Kim is a member of various bodies within and outside Aravind. She was the Ex. President of the Oculoplastic Association of India. Given her interest in Oncology, she is currently involved in genetic research pertaining to Retinoblastoma. She has 102 publications to her credit, including International and National State Journals.. 

She has also contributed to several books. She has co-authored the Atlas of Imaging in Neuro-ophthalmology and Orbit. She is currently the reviewer of the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology.

In addition to her core clinical work, Dr. Usha Kim is involved in key leadership positions at the Aravind Eye Care System. She is one of the trustees of GOVEL Trust that runs Aravind Eye Hospitals. She is the Director of the Allied Ophthalmic Personnel training programme since 2005. This programme is accredited by JCAHPO, USA. Over the last five years, she has taken up the additional responsibility of overseeing the growing network of Aravind’s primary eye care service, which has 100 centres currently. 

 In the addition to all of these activities, when society needed her expertise in the subject she has always readily and actively participated. COVID -19 pandemic was a good example of this that in the pandemic main focuses was on respiratory problems, but orbit specialist also faced challenge of treating mucormycosis. It is a secondary fatal fungal infection noted in diabetic and non diabetic patients post COVID-19 infection. In the second wave of COVID -19 pandemic in southern India significant rise in the mucormycosis cases was noted and health system was strained due to lack of availability of drugs and expertise. In this scenario Dr.Usha Kim played a key role in procuring anti-fungal medications and treating patients with mucormycosis. She also organized large funding for treatment of patients with mucormycosis from low socioeconomic strata as this treatment was not affordable for everyone. Our center saw around 300 patients of mucormycosis in the 6months (May 2021-Oct -2021) which is the highest number of patients seen by any single centre in India. Dr. Usha Kim has used novel technique of salvaging globe and orbit in mucormycosis with use of antifungal injections in the eye. (retrobulbar amphotericin B). We are proud to state that our patients are leading healthy and good quality life after one year of the detection of the devastating infection, healthily without orbital exenteration.

Awards & Recognition

Dr. Usha was the Best Outgoing Student of her school and college. She is the proud recipient of several major awards, to name a few:

Academic Awards: ​

  1. CP Gupta Award for Best Paper, Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association (2002). ​
  2. Best Orbital Photography Award, Joint Meeting of Oculoplastics Association of India & Asia Pacific Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2007). ​
  3. Best Poster Award, Indo-Israel Meeting for Prospective Evaluation of Contracted Anophthalmic Sockets. ​
  4. Coimbatore Scroll of Honour, PSG & Sons’ Charities (2016).
  5. Tamil Nadu Panopthamic Premier League Trophy (5 times, 2019). ​
  6. M.K. Mehra Oration Award, King George Medical University (2015-2019). ​
  7. Balagopal Memorial Meet Endowment Lecture, Association of Physicians of India – Trichy (2020). ​
  8. R.H.P. Sinha Oration Award, Bihar Ophthalmic Society (2021). ​
  9. Platinum Award for Best Publications, Indian Journal of Ophthalmology (2021). ​
  10. Best Paper Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2024). ​
  11. M.S. Boparai Oration Award, Ocular Trauma Society of India (2024). ​
  12. Chhayakanta Mahapatra Oration Award, OSOCON Odisha State Ophthalmological Society, 2025
  13. Multiple awards at the All India Ophthalmological Society (2025). ​

 Vocational Excellence Awards: ​

  1. Vocational Excellence Award, Rotary Club of Madurai (2010). ​
  2. International Women’s Day Excellence Award, Lions Club of Madurai District (2015).
  3. Elegance of Womanhood Award, BNI Chanakayaas, Madurai (2019). ​
  4. Vocational Excellence Award for High Moral and Ethical Values, Rotary Club of Madurai. ​
  5. Exceptional Women of Excellence Award, Women Economic Forum (2020). ​
  6. Achiever’s Award for Equal Society Efforts, Lady Doak College & Transgender Resource Centre (2020). ​
  7. Women Achievers Award, Devadoss Hospital, Madurai (2020). ​
  8. Amazing Women Award, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce Industry (2023). ​
  9. Akshaya Seva Rathna Award, Akshayapaathiram Trust, Madurai (2024). ​

 Areas of Expertise: ​

  • Orbit, Oculoplasty, Ocular Oncology, and Ocular Prosthetics. ​
  • Genetic research in Retinoblastoma. ​
  • Community eye care initiatives. ​
  • Training and development of ophthalmologists and ocularists. ​