Education & Training

Medical School

Northeast Ohio Medical University

Internship

Internal Medicine

  • Trumbull Regional Medical Center

Residency

Ophthalmology

  • University of Missouri School of Medicine

Fellowship

Vitreo - Retinal Disease

  • University of Missouri School of Medicine

Boards

American Board of Ophthalmology

Insurances

MU Health Care participates with most major managed care organizations. To find out whether MU Health Care is a participating provider in your insurance plan or network, or for information on co-payments and deductibles, please contact your insurance carrier directly.

Academic Information

Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology

Research Profile

Vaishnavi Balendiran, MD is a fellowship-trained retina specialist with extensive training in the surgical and medical management of retinal disease. She performs retinal surgery using the latest small-gauge vitrectomy platforms and is well-versed in the placement of secondary intraocular lenses.

While at the School of Medicine, Dr. Balendiran has researched the outcomes of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus on retinal cells. She has also participated in clinical trials exploring novel treatments for both exudative (wet) and nonexudative (dry) macular degeneration.

Her prior work includes using rabbit models to evaluate the biocompatibility of various new intraocular lens prototypes.

Research Interests

  • Retinal Detachment
  • Diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema
  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Infectious retinal disease

Areas of Expertise

  • Vitreoretinal diseases
  • Dislocated intraocular lenses
  • Epiretinal membranes and macular holes

Awards & Honors

  • American Society of Retina Specialists, 2022
  • Women in Ophthalmology, 2021
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology, 2017

Publications

  • Monu, M., Ahmad, F., Olson, R. M., Balendiran, V., & Singh, P. K. (2024). 
    SARS-CoV-2 infects cells lining the blood-retinal barrier and induces a hyperinflammatory immune response in the retina via systemic exposure. 
    PLoS Pathogens, 20(4), e1012156. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1012156
  • Balendiran, V., Landreneau, J., & An, J. (2023). 
    MicroPulse Transscleral Laser Therapy dosimetry utilizing the revised P3 delivery device: A randomized controlled trial. 
    Ophthalmology. Glaucoma, 6(3), 283–290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogla.2022.09.004
  • Gugiu, G. B., Goto, R. M., Bhattacharya, S., Delgado, M. K., Dalton, J., Balendiran, V., & Miller, M. M. (2023). 
    Mass spectrometry defines lysophospholipids as ligands for chicken MHCY class I molecules. 
    The Journal of Immunology, 210(1), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.2200066
  • Balendiran, V., Werner, L., Ellis, N., Shumway, C., Jiang, B., Kamae, K., & Mamalis, N. (2020). 
    Uveal and capsular biocompatibility of a new hydrophobic acrylic microincision intraocular lens. 
    Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 46(3), 459–464. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.jcrs.0000000000000117
  • Ellis, N., Werner, L., Balendiran, V., Shumway, C., Jiang, B., & Mamalis, N. (2020). 
    Posterior capsule opacification prevention by an intraocular lens incorporating a micropatterned membrane on the posterior surface. 
    Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 46(1), 102–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2019.08.003
  • Balendiran, V., MacLean, K., Mamalis, N., Tetz, M., & Werner, L. (2019). 
    Localized calcification of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses after posterior segment procedures. 
    Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 45(12), 1801–1807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2019.07.015
  • Werner, L., Wallace, J. K., Balendiran, V., Shumway, C., Ellis, N., & Mamalis, N. (2019). 
    Surface deposits mimicking calcification on a hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens. 
    Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 45(7), 1036–1039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2019.03.005
  • Sawaya, M. R., Verma, M., Balendiran, V., Rath, N. P., Cascio, D., & Balendiran, G. K. (2016). 
    Characterization of WY 14,643 and its Complex with Aldose Reductase. 
    Scientific Reports, 6(1), 34394. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep34394

Vaishnavi Balendiran, MD Bibliography