About Harika Karunakota, O.D.

Dr. Harika Karunakota is an optometrist with a special interest in geriatric eye care and ocular disease management. Originally from Hyderabad, India, her passion for optometry began at a very young age because both of her parents are optometrists. Growing up, she spent time in their clinics and often joined them at community eye screening camps. Watching them help people who had never had access to an eye exam left a lasting impression on her. She saw how something as simple as prescribing the right pair of glasses or diagnosing an eye condition could completely change someone’s daily life, and those experiences inspired her to pursue a career in optometry.

Dr. Karunakota earned her Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Optometry from Dublin Institute of Technology in Ireland before receiving her Doctor of Optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry in Boston. She has more than eight years of clinical experience in comprehensive eye care and ocular disease management, with experience practicing in India, Ireland, and across the United States. She diagnoses and manages glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, cataracts, dry eye disease, and corneal conditions, and works closely with ophthalmologists to co-manage patients before and after cataract, LASIK, PRK, glaucoma, and retinal surgeries. Her primary clinical interests include geriatric eye care, dry eye treatment, and helping patients preserve their vision through early detection and disease management.

“The most rewarding part of my job is helping patients maintain their vision and independence, especially older adults,” says Dr. Karunakota. “Something as simple as improving a person’s vision can make it easier for them to read, drive, recognize family members, or continue doing the things they enjoy. Seeing that difference in someone’s everyday life is what motivates me.” One patient experience that has remained with her involved a patient whose persistent red, itchy, watery eyes did not improve with allergy drops. After learning the patient’s basement had recently flooded, Dr. Karunakota suspected mold exposure was contributing to the problem. Once the mold was removed and the treatment plan was adjusted, the patient’s symptoms improved significantly. “It was a good reminder that sometimes the environment can play a much bigger role than patients realize.”

Outside of the office, Dr. Karunakota enjoys baking, especially cakes, and trying new restaurants with family and friends. In her leisure time, she also enjoys studying traditional Indian architecture and spatial design as a way to stay connected to her culture and history. She looks forward to continuing to grow in geriatric eye care while deepening her

expertise in ocular disease management and providing compassionate, patient-centered care.