Riya Desai, OD, FAAO

Dr. Riya Desai is a comprehensive optometrist whose clinical focus involves specialty contact lenses, dry eye, and ocular disease. She maximizes visual function using specialty contact lenses for patients with irregular corneas and ocular surface disease including keratoconus, post-surgical corneas, and severe dry eyes. Dr. Desai is part of the Urgent Eye Care Clinic where she evaluates and treats acute eye conditions such as flashes and floaters, sudden vision loss, eye pain, double vision, infections, and ocular injuries.

Dr. Desai strives to deliver the highest quality of care by combining clinical excellence with a thorough understanding of her patients’ visual goals and overall eye health. She believes in building lasting relationships with her patients through clear communication, education, and collaboration in treatment decisions.

Dr. Desai earned her bachelor’s degree in human biology and a minor in business at the UC San Diego. As a UC San Diego undergraduate student, she volunteered with the Shiley EyeMobile for Children serving low-income children throughout the greater San Diego area.

Dr. Desai earned her Doctor of Optometry degree at the Southern California College of Optometry, graduating with honors. She completed a residency in Cornea and Contact Lenses at the New England College of Optometry where she received advanced training in specialty contact lenses, management of corneal conditions, myopia control, and dry eye at sites such as Mass Eye and Ear, BostonSight, and New England College of Optometry. She served as an attending doctor in clinic and co-instructor in lecture and lab courses for optometry students. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry.