Dr. Samantha Rao (pronounced RAY-oh, like a ray of light) was born and raised in central Connecticut. She was introduced to the field of optometry at a young age, growing up visiting and eventually working at her father’s eyecare practice in Trumbull, CT.
She was fascinated by the visual system and the science of eyecare, and admired her father’s friendly rapport with patients that he got to build relationships with year after year. After hearing one of his patients talk about how grateful she was that he had caught a serious medical problem and saved her vision, Dr. Rao began to really consider a career in optometry.
After graduating with a degree in Biology from Boston University, she attended the State University of New York College of Optometry, earning her doctorate and becoming a second-generation optometrist.
During her internships at two busy hospitals and a medical-surgical eyecare center, Dr. Rao developed a keen interest in fitting specialized contact lenses to restore sight to patients who have lost vision to corneal disease and trauma. She went on to complete a residency specializing in Cornea and Contact Lenses at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
She then worked in group practice in New York City, working closely with corneal surgeons and helping hundreds of patients with corneal disease to avoid surgery by fitting them with custom contact lenses.
Dr. Rao is passionate about helping all of her patients see better and feel confident. She provides comprehensive eyecare and sees patients of any age, from toddlers to grandparents. As a mom herself, she especially loves her pediatric patients.
Whether you need new eyeglasses and contact lenses or have a complex eye condition that you need help managing, Dr. Rao will be there to really listen to your problem, craft a personalized solution, and empower you to take the best possible care of your eyes.
When she isn’t examining eyeballs, Dr. Rao likes to spend time in nature and go on adventures with her husband, 2-year-old daughter, and Eskimo dog, Bowie. You might just run into them at a playground or at the beach in Milford!
