Books Authored by Chandrashekhar Chawan

For over three decades, my journey as an optometrist, professor, and scientist has been deeply intertwined with the lives of those affected by keratoconus. I have had the privilege of managing more than 5,000 keratoconus patients, spanning every age group and every stage of this complex condition — from the mild, early forms to the most advanced, vision-threatening cases.

This book is not just a compilation of clinical facts; it is a culmination of 36 years of lived experience, compassion, challenges, and triumphs. I’ve witnessed patients break down in despair, only to rise again with renewed hope after the right diagnosis and personalized care. I’ve seen the confusion on a teenager’s face when told their vision loss wasn’t fixable by glasses, and the joy when their world became clear again through a custom scleral lens. I’ve sat beside patients who had given up on their careers, relationships, and even their confidence — and helped them rebuild their lives.

Over the years, I’ve embraced not only non-surgical modalities like custom scleral lenses, high-order aberration correction, and impression lenses, but also surgical solutions such as CTAC, CAIRS, CXL, and IPCL when the condition demanded it. This book reflects that complete spectrum — from the first sign of blurred vision to advanced surgical rehabilitation.

I am immensely grateful to Dr. Quresh B. Maskati, the internationally acclaimed corneal surgeon, who has been an instrumental guide in my journey and has kindly agreed to contribute as a co-author of this book. He has operated on many of my patients with skill and dedication, helping them achieve remarkable outcomes. At times, when further expertise was needed, we have referred our patients to other renowned surgeons across India and the world, including Dr. Kasu Prasad Reddy  and internationally to experts such as Dr. Rajesh Khanna in California and Dr. Arun Gulani in Florida. Their contributions and surgical excellence have significantly expanded the scope of care available to our patients.

I could become an expert in scleral lens fitting because of the mentorship and knowledge shared by legends like Ken Pullum (UK), Dr. Donald Ezekiel (Australia), and Dr. Perry Rosenthal (USA). Their pioneering work and generous guidance shaped my understanding of the optical, anatomical, and emotional aspects of managing keratoconus with advanced contact lens technologies.

My intent in writing "Keratoconus: Understanding, Managing, and Thriving" is to empower patients, eye care professionals, students, and families with practical knowledge, compassionate guidance, and the reassurance that keratoconus is manageable, treatable, and above all — not the end of your vision journey.

You’ll find here not only scientific explanations but also case stories, myths and facts, answers to real-life patient questions, mental health support, and the day-to-day challenges patients face — socially, financially, and emotionally. You’ll also meet patients who have succeeded — children who returned to school, adults who resumed work, and elderly patients who regained independence.

This book is written in a friendly, empathetic voice — the voice I’ve used with every patient who sat in front of me confused and scared. My hope is that by the time you close the last page, you’ll feel more confident, more informed, and more hopeful — whether you are living with keratoconus or helping someone who is.

To all my patients, colleagues, and students who inspired this journey — this book is for you.

With warmth,

Chandrashekhar Chawan PhD, FSLS, FAAO

Celebrity Optometrist & Ocularist
Founder, Shekhar Eye Research
Specialist in Keratoconus, HOA Optics, and Impression Scleral Lenses, Orthokeratology, Myopia Control and painted soft and scleral lenses.

When I began my journey as an optometrist more than three decades ago, my focus was on restoring sight for those who had already lost clarity. Over time, I realized a deeper truth: the greatest gift we can give children is not just correcting their vision, but protecting it before it slips away.

Myopia, once seen as a minor inconvenience that could be managed with glasses, has now become a global epidemic. Every year, I meet more children whose numbers rise faster than their parents can replace their spectacles. Behind those numbers lies something bigger — the risk of lifelong complications, the emotional struggles of children, and the heavy burden on families and healthcare systems.

This book, Shaping Young Eyes: A 39-Chapter Journey into Myopia Control, is born out of my 36 years of clinical practice, research, and collaboration with mentors and colleagues across the world. It is not just a medical manual; it is a guide for parents, children, and eye care professionals who want to understand myopia in its full dimension — from its causes to its treatments, from scientific research to practical lifestyle tips.

I have been privileged to learn from some of the finest minds in optometry and ophthalmology, and to work with dedicated colleagues who share my passion for protecting childhood vision. But my greatest teachers have been my patients — the children who wore their first pair of glasses with hesitation, the parents who asked difficult questions late into the evening, and the families who trusted me to guide them through the confusing world of myopia management.

This book is my attempt to bring together science, compassion, and practicality. It is written not only for experts, but also for parents seeking clarity and for children who deserve a future without the heavy burden of high myopia.

As you turn these pages, I invite you to see beyond the numbers on a prescription slip. Myopia is not just about eyesight — it is about confidence, opportunity, and quality of life. By shaping young eyes today, we shape brighter tomorrows.

I dedicate this work to every child who dreams of a clear horizon, to every parent who worries about their child’s eyes, and to every colleague who works tirelessly to protect vision.

With hope and gratitude,

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Chandrashekhar Chawan, PhD, FSLS, FAAO
Celebrity Optometrist and Ocularist

Email: shekhar@shekhareye.com                               Shekhareye.com