Nepal Eye Program

Dr. Sanduk Ruit

Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology

Website: www.Tilganga.org

Dr. Sanduk Ruit is a Nepali eye surgeon whose innovative small-incision cataract surgery with the use of inexpensive intraocular lenses has enabled hundreds of thousands of poor cataract patients of Nepal and other countries to regain their sight.

In 1969 Dr Ruit received his School Leaving Certificate from Siddhartha Vanasthali School in Kathmandu, Nepal and later was educated in India beginning in 1981 at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences;  He also studied in the Netherlands, Australia and the United States and was mentored by an Australian Professor, Dr. Fred Hollows.

In 1986, Ruit and Hollows developed a strategy to use small-incision cataract surgery (SICS) in the developing world at the community level, through the use of a low-cost intraocular lens (IOL).  Dr. Ruit was the first Nepali doctor to use IOLs in cataract surgery.

However, the high cost of IOLs placed them out of reach for many poor cataract patients, and Ruit started looking for alternatives to reduce the cost of IOLs.  In 1995 he devised an international standard IOL that could be produced for far less than those manufactured in developed countries. The cost of IOLs that was around US$ 100, has now been reduced to US$ 3.5.

Ruit joined with a few people who shared his vision to start the Tilganga Eye Center on June 7, 1994, but due to opposition by the establishment who considered the tech nique too risky, they virtually operated underground for six months. His efficient model of eye care is now practiced in many parts of the world, with U.S. military surgeons being scheduled to be trained under Dr. Ruit as well.

"Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology"

Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO) is the implementing body of the Nepal Eye Program, a non profit, community based, non-government organization.  It aims to act as a model for treatment research and training, independent of, but in cooperation with all other eye care centres and organizations in Nepal, the current TIO facility was opened in 1994.

"God of Sight"