Asha Balakrishnan, M.D.
Cataract, Cornea, and Refractive Surgeon at DLV Vision
Dr. Asha Balakrishnan is a fellowship-trained cataract, refractive, and cornea surgeon as well as a board-certified ophthalmologist. She joined DLV Vision after having served as the Director of the Cornea & Refractive Surgery Service and Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Louisville, then joining a private practice in the Los Angeles area. Having performed thousands of surgeries, Dr. Balakrishnan has specialized in cataract and refractive surgery for over 10 years. She was awarded the Leo Tauber & David Fainer Award for Vision Care Specialist of the Year for 2022 by the Ventura County Medical Research Foundation. She was selected by a vote of doctors within Los Angeles to appear in the 2023 Top Doctor List by Los Angeles Magazine.
Dr. Balakrishnan was born and raised in Virginia, where she attended Norfolk Academy and graduated as class Valedictorian, National Merit Scholarship winner, and a Presidential Scholar Finalist. She completed her undergraduate education at Harvard University, where she graduated with a degree in chemistry with Honors and on the Dean’s List. She then pursued her medical degree at the renowned Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. She completed an internship in internal medicine there at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital and then did her ophthalmology residency at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, one of the top-ranking ophthalmology residency programs in the country. While there, she received the Walter R. Parker Teaching Award for excellence in teaching and promoting education, as well as several patient care awards. She also performed the highest number of cataract surgeries of any resident in the program’s history. Dr. Balakrishnan continued her surgical training at one of the nation’s most prestigious surgical fellowships in Cataract, Refractive, Anterior Segment, & Cornea Surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine. She was one of two fellows selected by Dr. Douglas Koch, one of the world’s most renowned eye surgeons.
Dr. Balakrishnan specializes in all forms of cataract and refractive surgery, including manual & laser-assisted cataract surgery, complex cataract and intraocular lens surgery, premium intraocular lens implantation, astigmatism correction, LASIK, PRK, ICL (implantable collamer lens) surgery, and refractive/clear lens exchange. She also offers keratoconus management and corneal collagen crosslinking. As a fellowship-trained refractive surgeon, she is pleased to offer patients the full range of refractive surgery options and is dedicated to tailoring an effective surgical plan for each individual based on their medical and lifestyle needs. She has been the surgeon of choice for numerous colleagues and referring doctors in the Los Angeles area, as well as our very own staff members.
Dr. Balakrishnan has participated in a variety of studies, with publications in journals including the Review of Ophthalmology, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today, MillenialEYE, International Ophthalmology Clinics, and the American Heart Journal. She has presented at numerous national meetings, including the Association for Research in Vision, the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. She is an active member of the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology
Dr. Balakrishnan is an avid tennis player, yoga practitioner, fitness fan, and animal lover. She has dedicated her time to several service initiatives over the years, including: starting M.U.S.E. (Musician Uniting Students & Elderly) in Virginia to bring classical music to nursing homes; working with the American Red Cross in blood donations and CPR instruction; leading the St. Louis chapter of the American Women’s Association as President and championing eating disorder and domestic violence Awareness; as well as volunteering at free medical clinics for underserved populations. She has also committed herself to a lifelong mission of raising money for pancreatic cancer research in honor of her late father, Dr. Siva Balakrishnan, who she credits as her role model not only in pursuing medicine but also embodying compassion and integrity while striving for excellence in the service of patients.
