Florida Today honors Dr. Mukesh Aggarwal ...
Merritt Island doctor and philanthropist who brought pioneering eye surgery to Brevard dies
Pioneering Merritt Island ophthalmologist and charitable organizer who provided free eye surgeries across the globe, dies
By J.D. Gallop @ Florida Today
The Merritt Island ophthalmologist and philanthropist who first brought the pioneering LASIK eye surgery to Brevard four decades ago and helped form the Brevard Indo-American Medical and Dental Association died last week. He was 75.
Dr. Mukesh Aggarwal took on the role of representing the interests of first-generation Indian-American and immigrant physicians and doctors in Brevard. He founded the Eye Clinic and Laser Institute in 1980, bringing the then-revolutionary LASIK technique to the Space Coast, helping countless residents improve their vision.
Aggarwal was born in the Punjab region of India. He trained to be a physician and arrived in the U.S. in 1974. He also traveled the world, from India to Central America, taking his expertise to villages where eyecare was largely unavailable.
"He just always wanted to help people. It made him happy. He was a very positive person," said Dr. Rajee Paul, a family physician who married Aggarwal 15 years ago.
Through those travels, Aggarwal provided thousands of free cataract surgeries across the globe to help restore sight to the blind.
“That was his passion,” said Glad Kurian, a longtime friend. “Dr. Mukesh Aggarwal was the single most impactful leader in the local Indian-American community since 1980. His greatest passion was Charity Medical Missions in underserved parts of the world. He performed thousands of cataract surgeries, giving sight to the blind and hope to the abandoned.”
Aggarwal also was the founding president of The Indian Association of the Space Coast in 1991. He also was instrumental in forming the Brevard Indo-American Medical and Dental Association, an all-volunteer organization made up of more than 180 dentists and physicians that provides cultural and philanthropic events helping the homeless population and others in need. The group would later be recognized by FLORIDA TODAY as Organization of the Year for its work helping others.
A memorial celebration of life for Aggarwal will take place Saturday beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Ammen Funeral Home, 1001 Hickory St., Melbourne. A funeral repast luncheon will be held from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Brevard Hindu Mandir, 1517 Avenida del Rio, Melbourne.
Family members request that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the Brevard Association for the Advancement of the Blind.
“Dr. Aggarwal leaves a lasting legacy of service to the community,” Kurian said. “He was a great eye surgeon, leadership role model and dear friend who will be greatly missed.”
J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Or X, formerly known as Twitter: @JDGallop.
