Cornea, Cataract, and Refractive Surgeon
An International Leader in Ophthalmology
Dr. Rahul Tonk is a distinguished cornea, cataract, and refractive surgeon who brings the highest level of academic medicine to Central New Jersey. Dr. Tonk practices at Princeton Eye Group and Wills Laser Vision, marking a homecoming after a tenure as Associate Professor and Associate Medical Director at the nation’s #1-ranked eye hospital, the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, FL. Additionally, Dr. Tonk serves on the faculty at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, which is consistently ranked among the top eye hospitals in America.
Recognized as a “Rising Star” on The Ophthalmologist’s global Power List and named to Ophthalmology Management’s “40 Under 40,” Dr. Tonk is a key opinion leader actively shaping the future of vision care. His expertise is sought after worldwide; he has delivered over 100 invited lectures and presentations at national and international meetings.
Leadership and Distinction
Dr. Tonk holds leadership positions in the field’s most respected organizations, serving on committees for the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), and the Cornea Society. He is also an inductee of two prestigious, invitation-only honorary societies: the American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery (AECOS) and CEDARS/ASPENS, recognizing him as one of the foremost surgeon-innovators in anterior segment ophthalmology. Locally, he serves in the executive leadership of the New Jersey Academy of Ophthalmology.
Heart of an Educator
A passionate teacher, Dr. Tonk is known as a “surgeon’s surgeon”—a testament to the high technical regard in which he is held by his peers. Because of this expertise, he has been entrusted with training the next generation of elite eye surgeons at two of the country’s top institutions: first at Bascom Palmer and now at Wills Eye Hospital. This commitment to education profoundly shapes his approach to patient care. Dr. Tonk believes that the best surgical outcomes are achieved when patients are fully empowered partners. He brings the same clarity and depth of knowledge to the exam room that he brings to the podium, ensuring every patient understands their condition and feels confident in their treatment decisions.
Innovator and Researcher
Advancing the field of ophthalmology is central to Dr. Tonk’s practice. He is a committed researcher who has served as an investigator for major clinical trials, including studies sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). By remaining at the forefront of scientific discovery, he ensures that his patients in Princeton have access to the latest technologies and therapies before they are widely available. His work has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and he serves on the editorial boards of EyeNet Magazine and SELF Magazine.
Deep Roots and Community Commitment
Dr. Tonk’s return to New Jersey is a deliberate choice to deliver world-class academic care within a warm, community practice. While his career has taken him to the pinnacle of ophthalmology, his story began locally. He is a proud graduate of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Rutgers Business School. He is thrilled to return home with his family to serve the community that raised him, providing top-tier surgical expertise with a neighborly touch.
Clinical Expertise
Dr. Tonk specializes in advanced vision correction and anterior segment surgery. His areas of expertise include:
- Refractive Surgery: A full suite of vision correction options including all-laser LASIK, PRK, Custom Lens Replacement, and the EVO ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens).
- Premium Cataract Surgery: Utilizing advanced technology lenses to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses.
- Keratoconus Management: State-of-the-art treatments including CAIRS (Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segments), CTAK (Corneal Tissue Addition Keratoplasty), Cross-linking, and Topography-guided PRK.
- Corneal Transplantation: Advanced techniques including DMEK and DSAEK for endothelial disease.
- Complex Anterior Segment Reconstruction: Repairing eyes affected by trauma or previous surgical complications.
Dr. Tonk is fluent in English, Spanish, and Hindi.