Dr. Kanika Aggarwal

Dr. Kanika Aggarwal, MD, FRCS, is an Associate Staff Physician within the Ophthalmology Department of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Surgical Institute.

Prior to joining Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Dr. Aggarwal worked as a Specialist Ophthalmologist at Burjeel Day Surgery Center, and Ahalia Eye Care in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Before relocating to the UAE, she trained and worked at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India – the largest tertiary care referral center in North India – for nearly a decade.

Dr. Aggarwal earned her medical degree from the prestigious Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Chandigarh, India, and completed her ophthalmology residency at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh. She subsequently underwent advanced three-year fellowship training in medical retina, vitreoretinal surgery, and uveitis at the same institute.

She is actively involved in teaching and mentoring ophthalmology residents and trainees. Dr. Aggarwal is a member of several national and international professional societies, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Vitreoretina Society of India (VRSI), Emirates Society of Ophthalmology (ESO), and Uveitis Society of India (USI). She regularly participates as a speaker and faculty member at national and international conferences.

Dr. Aggarwal’s clinical expertise encompasses a wide spectrum of simple and complex vitreoretinal surgeries, including scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachments, advanced diabetic retinopathy, macular disorders such as epiretinal membranes and macular holes, and other retinal disorders. She is highly skilled in intravitreal injections, laser photocoagulation, retinal angiography, and advanced retinal imaging. She also has extensive experience in the medical and interventional management of uveitis using both local and systemic immunosuppressive therapies.

With a strong academic interest, Dr. Aggarwal has authored more than 75 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters. She is an active member of international research collaborations, including the Collaborative Ocular Tuberculosis Study (COTS) Group. Her primary research interests include retinal imaging, emerging retinal therapeutics, subretinal therapies for medical and surgical retinal diseases, and ocular inflammation.

Outside of ophthalmology, Dr. Aggarwal has a keen interest in the performing arts, music, and literature, and enjoys traveling with her family.