Meet ophthalmologist Sruti Akella, MD, Oculoplastic and Reconstructive

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[Text on screen: Sruti Akella, MD
Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgeon]

Sruti Akella, MD: My name is Sruti Akella. I am an assistant professor at the Ohio State University Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences. My specialty is ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery. For me, taking care of patients is all about making sure that they have all the information they need in order to make the best decision for themselves and for their families. I really believe that the doctor-patient relationship is an evolving and ongoing one of trust and communication. 

So, I started my medical training out in New York. I did a combined bachelor's and MD program at the Stony Brook University in Long Island. From there, I did my ophthalmology residency at Albert Einstein University in New York City, and then I moved to Chicago for my two-year ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery at the University of Illinois. I chose to go into medicine because I was always interested in science, but I wanted to have that connection with people and to be able to build relationships with them.

In terms of oculoplastics specifically, for me, it's all about the ability to really play an active part in a patient's treatment plan, whether that be for their droopy eyelids or biopsying an orbital tumor, really working with them and performing elegant, minimally invasive surgeries to help them. 

So, my specialty is oculoplastics. The most common things I see in my office are eyelid problems, so droopy eyelids, or excess skin on the eyelids, or heavy brows. But I also take care of patients with tumors that are invading the orbit, or patients with thyroid eye disease.

So, I grew up in New York just about an hour outside of New York City, and then two years ago I moved to Chicago for the last leg of my training and just really fell in love with the Midwest culture and all the people here. So, I stayed at Ohio State. I'm here with my husband who is an orthopedic spine surgeon also at OSU, and in our free time, we really enjoy cooking, playing tennis together, and spending time with our family.

[Text on screen: The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center]

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