Dr. Sanduk Ruit, known as the “God of Sight,” has dedicated over four decades to restoring vision for more than 100,000 patients worldwide, reports BritPanorama.
Ruit is aiming to position his home country of Nepal as a leader in global eye care innovation. Founded approximately 30 years ago, the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu has been pivotal in providing affordable eye-care services, including the production of low-cost replacement lenses for cataract patients.
Over its lifespan, the institute has manufactured nearly 7 million intraocular lenses (IOLs), serving marginalized communities in over 40 countries across Asia, Africa, and South America. In response to rising global demand, Ruit plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Hetauda, Nepal, which could potentially double their annual production from 300,000 lenses.
Ruit envisions this model of sustainable, affordable eye care could be replicated beyond Nepal’s borders. He argues that with a focus on quality and sustainability, countries labeled as “developing” can emerge as vital contributors to medical innovation.
“If I can make it (lens production) successful here, I can make it successful anywhere in the world,” he stated during a video call.
The origin of a name
Ruit was first dubbed the “God of Sight” 17 years ago after a woman he treated in Indonesia exuberantly expressed her gratitude upon regaining her vision. A volunteer translated her joy: “You are the God of Sight who has come to give me sight,” a term later popularized by international media. Although he appreciates the title, Ruit acknowledges the responsibility it carries to continue his work helping those in need.
The beginning
After completing his medical training in ophthalmology in New Delhi, India, in the 1980s, Ruit identified challenges within the Nepali healthcare system. Traditional cataract surgeries were lengthy and did not include the replacement of a patient’s cloudy lens with an artificial one, forcing many to rely on thick glasses or resulting in functional blindness.
Recognizing the impracticality of these glasses for residents in the mountainous regions of Nepal, Ruit aimed to introduce swift surgical procedures similar to those available in advanced medical centers. However, he faced significant hurdles, including the need for a simplified surgical technique and the availability of affordable replacement lenses.
The surgical technique
In the West, ultrasonic wave technology was emerging as a breakthrough for cataract surgery; however, Ruit determined that the associated costs placed it beyond reach for many patients. Instead, he adapted technique popular in developing countries that relied on suture methods, which extended recovery time. Ruit successfully minimized the incision size and duration of the surgery, reducing the operation to as little as 10 minutes. His approach was validated through a 2006 study co-authored with US academics, demonstrating its efficacy compared to established Western methods while being faster and less reliant on sophisticated equipment.
Focus on affordability
Initially, IOLs cost around $150, prohibitive for Ruit’s patients. Collaborating with New Zealand-Australian ophthalmologist Dr. Fred Hallows, Ruit initiated the manufacture of IOLs in Nepal, resulting in significant price reductions; lenses that once sold for $50 now can be obtained for under $4. “And these (lenses) have all gone not into rich people’s eyes, but to marginalized people who couldn’t otherwise afford it,” Ruit noted.
Ruit’s plan
Ruit has set up numerous organizations, including the Cure Blindness Project, which has facilitated screenings and surgeries for 19 million patients worldwide. His deep commitment and engagement with his team reflect a collaborative spirit, as described by Emily Newick, the project’s chief operating officer, who observed his rapport with everyone involved.
Sharing his skills
As Ruit contemplates transitioning from his operational role at the Tilganga Institute to focus on mentorship and teaching, he expresses a desire to continue impacting the field positively. Reflecting on his teaching experiences, he recounts receiving a gift from a former student in Vietnam—a marble horse carved by a patient who had benefited from a surgery performed by the trainee. “Your students allow you to multiply your effect around the world,” Ruit stated, highlighting the ripple effect of sharing his skills as he aims to influence more lives globally.
