Rate My Professor Kelechi Ogbuehi

Dr. Kelechi Ogbuehi is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of Otago's Dunedin School of Medicine, affiliated with the Ophthalmology research unit. He obtained a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Optometry from the University of Benin in 1992 and a PhD in Optometry and Vision Sciences from the University of Cardiff in 1997, focusing his doctoral research on the endothelial pump mechanism that maintains the human cornea's relatively dehydrated state. A Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO), Ogbuehi spent over a decade and a half as a Professor of Optometry and Vision Science in the Middle East, where he was recognized for his contributions to elevating the standards of optometric education and professional practice, particularly in Saudi Arabia. His career trajectory reflects a shift from fundamental corneal physiology research to applied clinical investigations in vision sciences.

Ogbuehi's current research interests encompass the assessment of human corneal biomechanical properties and their impact on measured intraocular pressure (IOP), refractive surgery for managing corneal ectasias including keratoconus, the expanding role of optometrists as primary eye care providers, and accurate IOP evaluation essential for glaucoma diagnosis and management. His publications include "Transepithelial corneal cross-linking: A review" in International Ophthalmology (2026, co-authored with Zhou, Subasinghe, March de Ribot, and Dias), "Ultraviolet A absorption coefficients of contact lenses for use in contact lens assisted corneal crosslinking for thin Corneas" in Scientific Reports (2025, with Wynn-Williams, Qu, and Mitchell), "Cross-National variations in mental health: A cross-sectional study on depression, anxiety, and stress among university staff and students in Sub-Saharan Africa" in PLoS ONE (2025, multi-author including Ike and others), an abstract on "Endophthalmitis in Dunedin, New Zealand over 15 year period: Otago Regional Endophthalmitis Outcome Study" in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology (2025, with Han, Hawley, Hong, and Bradshaw), and "Assessment of burnout in New Zealand ophthalmology registrars" in the New Zealand Medical Journal (2025, with Sutedja and Hawley). These contributions highlight his impact on clinical ophthalmology, teleophthalmology, and professional development in eye care.