Originally from Philadelphia, board-certified ophthalmologist and retina specialist Nikisha Kothari, MD, joined Texas Retina Associates in August 2019, and cares for patients in our Arlington, Grapevine and Mansfield offices. She completed her ophthalmology and retina training at two of the top-rated eye hospitals in the country: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida, and Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA).
Dr. Kothari has an interest in international medicine and has worked with the Himalayan Cataract Project, performing eye surgery in Nepal during her training. In addition, she has a passion to be involved in research and a desire to advance the field of retina. She has been a co-investigator on numerous clinical trials, published in several medical journals, and has presented at a number of national and international conferences. She speaks Spanish and Gujarati fluently.
Why did you become a physician? What inspired you?
My mother is a physician, and I initially decided to pursue my interests outside of medicine. I was involved with the United Nations and studied international policy at the London School of Economics. However, I eventually realized I was most passionate about patient care and would ultimately tie my interest in international work into a career in medicine.
Why did you choose to specialize in retina care?
As an undergraduate and medical student, I worked in a lab studying retinal degenerative diseases, which immediately drew my attention. Once I began to explore the field of ophthalmology, I became fascinated with the continually advancing field and new developments, which translated to better clinical care. The opportunity to restore vision, medically and surgically, was equally as intriguing and gratifying.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy every aspect of practicing retina, from clinic to surgery, but I most appreciate the privilege of taking care of patients. The relationship between physicians and patients is a unique one built on trust and compassion. Every day patients allow us to help them on their journey, and this is what I enjoy most about my work.
What do you think is most important in caring for a patient?
Patients often come to me with a fear of losing vision. My most important role is to provide the best care with compassion which in turn alleviates fear. This helps patients feel like they are part of a team as we work toward our goal.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I live with my husband, Yash Avashia, also a physician in Dallas. We both enjoy spending time with our families, hiking and traveling. As such, I’ve developed an interest in photography and drone videography, learning to appreciate nature from all angles.
Learn more about Dr. Nikisha Kothari.