Founder of ORA Vision LLC
Board-Certified Ophthalmologist, Cataract Surgeon, Retina Specialist
Dr. Purnima Patel founded ORA Vision with a clear mission: to redefine eye care by combining world-class medical expertise with an exceptional patient experience. She envisioned a boutique practice where personalized service, advanced technology, and a warm, comfortable environment come together seamlessly—both in the clinic and in the state-of-the-art office-based surgical suite. At ORA Vision, every detail reflects Dr. Patel’s commitment to delivering high-level care while making patients feel seen, heard, and valued.
Dr. Patel’s inspiration for pursuing ophthalmology was deeply personal. Born and raised in Nashville, TN, she attended Vanderbilt University for her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering and medical school. During medical school, her father developed chronic uveitis—a potentially blinding eye condition—which fueled her desire to help people preserve their vision and quality of life.
She moved to Georgia for her residency training at Emory University, where she was chosen as chief resident, and went on to complete her fellowship subspecialty training in medical retina and uveitis at the prestigious University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine/Doheny Eye Institute in Los Angeles.
In 2010, Dr. Patel returned to Georgia to serve the community that had shaped her training. She built a thriving clinical and surgical practice at Emory University and the Atlanta VA Medical Center, becoming one of only a handful of ophthalmologists in the state with specialized training in inflammatory eye diseases. Her expertise includes cataract surgery, glaucoma, retinal diseases, lasers, injections, and complex inflammatory eye conditions. She also served as team ophthalmologist for both the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Falcons, underscoring her reputation for excellence and trust.
Dr. Patel’s outstanding contributions to patient care have been widely recognized. She was honored as one of Atlanta’s Top Doctors by her peers in both 2024 and 2025, a testament to her clinical excellence and dedication to her patients.
Beyond patient care, Dr. Patel has been a dedicated leader and mentor. While at Emory, she founded the Women in Ophthalmology group as well as the Emory Women in Medicine and Science group. Her contributions to the field have earned her international recognition, including a place on The Power List of the top 100 most influential women in ophthalmology worldwide in 2021 by The Ophthalmologist.
She has held key leadership roles, including serving on the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Young Ophthalmologist Committee for seven years—three as a member and four as Chair—and completing four years as Editor-in-Chief of the Academy’s Online Education Network, which educates eye surgeons globally. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and president of Women in Ophthalmology.
Through ORA Vision, Dr. Patel has created a practice where patients benefit not only from her extensive expertise but also from an environment focused on comfort, individualized attention, and exceptional service. Her goal is simple yet profound: to help patients see their best and maintain their vision for as long as possible, all while ensuring they feel genuinely cared for every step of the way.
