Dr. Uday Khopkar

Dr. Uday Khopkar, an expert at diagnosis of skin diseases. He has taken special training in skin pathology in USA in 1992 and again 1994 -1995 under the legendary dermatopathologist, Dr. A. Bernard Ackerman. After coming back to India in 1995 he established a countrywide dermatopathology referral system that receives now more than 5000 biopsy referrals every year. Dr. Khopkar introduced addition of photomicrographs as a routine to all biopsy reports, probably a first amongst pathologists from India. This made the reports easy to read, educative and transparent. Besides, they served as a record of the findings, being printed with fade resistant ink. Dr. Khopkar also has to his credit several firsts in treatment of skin diseases in India including the use of contact sensitizers in alopecia areata, establishment of PUVA and narrow band UVB therapy in a public hospital for the treatment of vitiligo and psoriasis and popularizing single dose methotrexate regimens for psoriasis and pulse therapy for pemphigus. He has special interest in the treatment of autoimmune diseases like psoriasis, lichen planus, vitiligo (Leukoderma), pemphigus and alopecia areata and chronic allergies like chronic urticaria, eczemas, atopic dermatitis etc. His research interests include dermoscopy, trichoscopy, hair microscopy and scalp biopsy for diagnosis of hair loss. Dr. Khopkar has authored several texts on skin diseases and their treatment. His book “An illustrated handbook of skin and sexually transmitted diseases” was one of the firsts Indian texts on the subject published in 1996. It is currently in its sixth edition and is popular with MBBS students. His recent book “Dermatologic Drug Therapy” is popular with dermatology postgraduates in the country. His last book on Dermoscopy is the first of its kind from India. Dr. Khopkar is widely acknowledged for his dedicated and pioneering work for the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology (IJDVL), and which he edited and published for 6 years (2003-2008) as its Chief Editor. The IJDVL is a 75 year old official publication of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists with a circulation of 6000 copies and became, for the first time, an indexed, peer reviewed and quality publication during Dr. Khopkar’s editorship.