Dr. Niraj Desai is a Board Certified Atlanta ophthalmologist who specializes in cataract surgery, LASIK, and corneal transplant surgery.
After completing his undergraduate studies in two years, Dr. Desai began his medical career at the Medical College of Georgia. In medical school, Dr. Desai was active in cutting edge research with the Department of Ophthalmology. He had the opportunity to present his research at national conferences and publish several papers. In addition, Dr. Desai was selected to be a part of a surgical volunteer program at the famed Christian Medical College in Vellore, India during his second year of medical school.
After graduating in the top ten percent of his class, Dr. Desai completed an Internal Medicine internship at the University of Hawaii. His ophthalmology residency took him to the University of Texas at San Antonio. During residency, Dr. Desai conducted studies with the United States Air Force in the field of laser surgery. His findings from these studies have been presented at national meetings. Dr. Desai was also recognized with the distinction of having performed the highest number of surgeries in his residency class.
A developing interest in cornea and refractive surgery brought Dr. Desai to Southern California where he was chosen to complete a prestigious fellowship in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of California, Irvine. During his time at UC Irvine, Dr. Desai gained expertise in the realm of complex cataract and anterior segment surgery as well as corneal disease and refractive laser surgery. During his fellowship, he was very active in research related to laser corneal transplants. He also served as clinical instructor at the UC Irvine Medical Center where he supervised resident clinics and surgeries.
Since the completion of fellowship, Dr. Desai has been committed to providing outstanding eye care to his patients. He specializes in customized cataract surgery, LASIK, corneal disease and surgery while continuing to participate in research.
Dr. Desai enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, playing sports, volunteering, and traveling. He is fluent in Hindi, Gujarati and Medical Spanish.
“I had to write a letter about y’all. I hadn’t gone to the eye doctor in a few years and went in July 2016 where I was told I had cataracts!!! I nearly had a heart attack. In my family, I was the one with “good” eyes. Needless to say I was extremely nervous. I had an appointment with Dr. Desai (I had seen an extremely nice and professional woman before Dr. Desai but I’m sorry I can’t remember her name). Dr. Desai met with me and explained (didn’t want the squeamish details) why I need to have cataract surgery. I then went to meet with Jayne the surgical coordinator and I pretty much broke down in her office. She hugged me and said everything was going to be ok. We arrived for our appointment and my heart was racing and I was pretty much freaking out. The nurse came to get me and took vitals, put an IV in me and tried to relax me. Dr. Desai came by and checked on me before I went in– and it was so cute… I think he put a smiley face over the right eye. I was wheeled into the surgery. Well the next thing I remember was… pulling up in my driveway and telling my husband I’m hungry and I want to go to Chic Fil A… he said we did… I replied NO we didn’t– he showed me the empty bag in the car! That afternoon I went outside and saw the actual leaves on the trees– not a cloudy, (like looking through a shower door)! For the past year I have asked my husband to clean my car windshields– it was fuzzy and cloudy and he did but I still couldn’t see out of the car clearly. Well now I know why! I had my 24 hour follow up with the OTHER Dr. Desai (Dr. Nutan Desai) at Hamilton Eye Care in Buford and it was amazing!! Then a 1 week follow up and now I’m GREAT!!! I can’t thank everyone enough for the professionalism, thoughtfulness with my fear, attention to detail (the pre-surgery bag had eye “cones” with extra tape, a very organized eye drop chart) and kindness! I’m sorry I can’t remember all the names of staff. But on the day of my left my eye surgery… I brought everyone home-made cookies! “I never knew how bad it was… until how good it is”… that’s what I now say about my eyes. Thank you again! Your “favorite” patient!!”
– S. Wagner, Buford, GA
“I have dealt with Dr. Desai since 2013. Since I lived and worked in five countries on three continents, I had the opportunity to deal with many doctors. Without any doubt I would rate him as one of the best. How I wish all the doctors show the same concern to their patients. I wish him the best.”
– Anonymous
“I had a wonderful experience at the Milan Eye Center with Dr. Desai. Dr. Desai made me understand what was happening with my eyes and how to best help me. Now I can see again. How Wonderful! Thank you Dr. Desai and Milan Eye Center!”
– L.H.
“I can’t express my appreciation deeply enough for the wonderful surgery Dr. Desai performed on my cataract on August 20th. It is a pleasure to be able to see street signs and other items so vividly. Now, I can’t wait to golf again and see the ball after hitting it down the fairway.Again, thanks for your professional service.”
– Forest P.
“There are not enough words to state how joyful I am with my improved vision. I had not realized how many modifications I had made in my life because of my poor vision. I had stopped reading for pleasure because I had difficulty with the print. Now I am back to reading at least a book a week. I no longer was attending functions at night because I had problems with night vision. Now I don’t have to be home before dark anymore. I can see all the wonderful colors the world has to offer.”
– Vickey C.
“I have worn trifocal glasses since the 70′s and I am thrilled that I no longer have to wear glasses. Not having to depend on a magnified glass to read my crosswords and recipes has been life changing. Being able to see gorgeous colors and the beauty of the land has made me so much happier. I feel younger and excited to wake up every morning.”
– Margaret G.
“Thank you for the wonderful job you did with the surgery on my eye. It is a real blessing to be able to see. Now I can enjoy again one of my favorite pastimes – reading.”
– Joyce C.
“I want to thank you for recommending the multifocal lens for the implant. The result has been outstanding and the vision in my right eye is clear and focused at all distances. I would like to thank you, your staff, and surgical center for the excellent care I received during my procedure. I can’t believe how fast the procedure and recovery time was. I heartily recommend you to anyone needing an exceptional eye surgeon.”
– Lynn B.
“I came to the conclusion to get the new lens implants which can give me the best vision possible and I am so thankful I did, because I am now seeing like I did when I was 20. I cannot believe how bad my vision had become until I had the cataract surgery. I wake up every day feeling so much clearer, and I’ve noticed (and my husband has noticed) that my mood is so much more happier. I no longer have to worry about driving at night, or worry about glasses at all.”
– Anonymous
“I had a wonderful experience at the Milan Eye Center with Dr. Desai. Dr. Desai made me understand what was happening with my eyes and how to best help me. Now I can see again. How Wonderful! Thank you Dr. Desai and Milan Eye Center!”
– Jennifer P.
“Being a professional photographer, although apprehensive about having eye surgery, now I can see so much better since the great job you did. Now I don’t need my glasses that I’ve worn for 50 years. I could just kiss you, but since I really don’t know you all that well, please accept one my photographs as a little token of my gratitude to remember me by. Thanking you forever.”
– G.P.
“My experience with your group was exceptional! I was very nervous, but the surgery and recovery were well explained. Special thanks to Dr. Desai. I’m sure my worries were unnerving, but his good humor and encouragement were much appreciated. I have given your groups name to several friends the local family medicine doctor here in the Big Canoe area – Dr. Nahid Sultana, was glad to hear of my exceptional experience. She has your groups name and that of Dr. Brett Bordner for further referrals. Thank you again”
– L.S.