Dr. Anna Elias graduated from Christian Medical College, Vellore, with an MBBS degree in 1987, where she received the Third Rank Merit Award. She also earned the Second Certificate of Honour in General Medicine and Surgery. She completed DNB in Ophthalmology from Medical Trust Hospital in 1995. In 2022, she acquired a Post-Graduate Diploma in Bioethics, Human Rights, and Health Law from the University of Porto, Portugal, under an international program by the International Chair in Bioethics.

As a comprehensive ophthalmologist, she has expertise in various aspects of eye care, with special interests in glaucoma and pediatric ophthalmology. She is also skilled in managing low vision cases and contributes significantly to the institutional ethics and optometry education.

She has been a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist at Giridhar Eye Institute, Kochi, since 1997, with over 27 years of experience. In addition, she serves as an Assistant Professor at the Susruta School of Optometry and Visual Sciences, teaching third-year optometry students about eye diseases. Over the years, she has held various roles such as Organizing Secretary for workshops, an executive member of the Cochin Ophthalmic Club, and currently serves as the Member Secretary of the Institutional Ethics Committee at GEI.

She has published numerous scientific papers in national and international journals, covering topics such as macular telangiectasia, central serous chorioretinopathy, and optic neuropathy. Her works have appeared in journals like the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, World Journal of Retina and Vitreous, and Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. One of her co-authored papers on optical coherence tomography angiography was recognized as the Best of Indian Journal of Ophthalmology for 2022.

Her contributions to the field have earned her several accolades, including the Professional Excellence Award in 2004 from Indian Jaycees for work in community ophthalmology. She won the Best Paper Award in the Anterior Segment category at the Drishti 2008 conference and received the Rema Mohan Award for research on diabetic retinopathy at the AIOS conference in 2012. Additionally, she secured the Best Paper Award in the Hyde Park session at AIOS 2023, and one of her scientific papers was acknowledged by the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology in 2022.