Kunal Merchant, MD
Ophthalmologist
Dr. Kunal Merchant is an ophthalmologist who specializes in refractive, cataract, and corneal surgery. Dr. Merchant attended George Washington University, where he completed both his undergraduate and medical degrees. Following medical school, he interned at Lankenau Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA, before returning to George Washington University to complete his residency in ophthalmology. During his final year in residency, Dr. Merchant was awarded the honor of chief resident.
After residency, Dr. Merchant moved to Boston, where he completed a cornea fellowship at Harvard Medical School Department of Ophthalmology. He has published numerous articles throughout his career and is very well versed in evidence-based medicine. Dr. Merchant is an active member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.
Dr. Merchant has trained extensively in refractive, laser cataract, and glaucoma laser surgery. His goal in practice is to treat all of his patients like family and to offer the highest level of care.
When out of the office, Dr. Merchant thoroughly enjoys organizing medical mission trips that afford him the opportunity to provide surgical and medical ophthalmology treatment to communities in undeveloped areas around the world including Haiti, Ecuador, India, and Russia.
Dr. Merchant was born and raised in New Jersey and thrilled to be a part of the Eye Care Associates of New Jersey family. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing tennis, basketball, and golf. Kunal loves cooking with his wife, Ariana, and they both are extremely happy to be surrounded by friends and family in New Jersey.
Dr. Kunal Merchant’s Curriculum Vitae
Professional
- Private Practice, Eye Care Associates of New Jersey, Ophthalmologist/Eye Surgeon
2019 – present
Academic and Administrative Appointments
- Chief Resident, George Washington University, 2018-2019
- Medical Education coordinator for U.S. and U.K. team for Kazakhstan Medical Camp (08/2013)
Education
- Doctor of Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 2014
- Bachelor of Science, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 2010
Hospital Affiliation
- Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, New Jersey
Internship
- Internal Medicine, Lankenau Medical Center, 2014-2015
Residency
- Ophthalmology, George Washington University, 2015-2018
Fellowship
- Cornea, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary – Harvard Department of Ophthalmology, 2018-2019
Professional Societies
- Diplomat, American Board of Ophthalmology
- Member, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Member, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
Publications
- Kunal Y Merchant; Daniel Su; Sung Chul Park, MD; Shehzad Qayum; Rudrani Banik; Jeffrey M Liebmann; Robert Ritch.
Enhanced Depth Imaging Optical Coherence Tomography of Optic Nerve Head Drusen. Ophthalmology. 2013;120(7):1409-14.
- Shehzad Qayum; Timothy Sullivan; Sung Chul Park, MD; Kunal Y Merchant; Rudrani Banik; Jeffrey M Liebmann; Robert Ritch.
Structure and Clinical Significance of Central Optic Disc Pits. Ophthalmology. 2013;120(7):1415-22.
- Nisha Chadha, MD; Tania Lamba, MD; David A Belyea, MD, MBA; Kunal Y Merchant, BS.
Indirect Cyclopexy for Treatment of a Chronic Traumatic Cyclodialysis Cleft with Hypotony. Clinical Ophthalmology. 2013, 8:591-594.
- Belyea DA, Alhabshan R, del Rio-Gonzalez A, Chadha N, Lamba T, Golshani C, Merchant K, Neena P, Dan J.
Marijuana Use Among Patients With Glaucoma in a City With Legalized Medical Marijuana Use. JAMA Ophthalmol.2016;134(3):259-264. doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.5209.
- Kunal Y Merchant MD; Tal Raviv, MD. Update On Marking Tools using Toric IOLs. Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today. 2015.
Languages
- English (fluently read and write)
- Spanish (conversational, medical)
- Gujarati (conversational, medical)
