Professor Dr. Sanduk Ruit, MD, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists

Photo Source: Social Media/Sanduk Ruit

Professor Dr. Sanduk Ruit, MD, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists, is a globally recognized ophthalmologist, visionary medical pioneer, and humanitarian from Nepal. Often referred to as the “God of Sight,” he has restored vision to over 180,000 people across Asia and Africa through revolutionary, low-cost cataract surgeries. His efforts have brought world-class eye care to some of the most remote and underserved communities on the planet.

Personal Background

Born on September 4, 1954, in the secluded Himalayan village of Olangchunggola in northeast Nepal, Dr. Ruit was raised in an environment without access to electricity, schools, healthcare, or modern transportation. His parents, Sonam and Kesang Ruit, were illiterate and survived on subsistence farming and trade. Life in the region, situated 11,000 feet above sea level near Mt. Kanchenjunga, was harsh, and medical assistance was virtually nonexistent.

Dr. Ruit was the second of six siblings. Tragedy struck his family repeatedly—he lost three siblings to preventable diseases due to lack of timely medical care. Most devastating was the loss of his sister Yangla to tuberculosis when she was just 15. These early experiences of loss deeply influenced his decision to become a doctor and dedicate his life to ensuring that the poor and marginalized would never be denied access to essential healthcare.

Education and Early Career

At just seven years old, Ruit undertook a 15-day journey by foot to Darjeeling, India, to attend St. Robert’s School—the closest school to his village. He later completed his secondary education at Siddhartha Vanasthali School in Kathmandu.

Thanks to his academic excellence, he earned a scholarship to study medicine at King George’s Medical College in Lucknow, India, where he completed his MBBS degree from 1972 to 1976. After returning to Nepal, he worked as a general physician at Bir Hospital in Kathmandu for three years. Determined to specialize in ophthalmology, he enrolled in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, earning his master’s degree in ophthalmology in 1984.

In 1986, a pivotal moment occurred when he met Dr. Fred Hollows, a renowned Australian ophthalmologist and public health advocate, who became his mentor. Recognizing Dr. Ruit’s talent and dedication, Dr. Hollows invited him to train further in Australia, exposing him to advanced surgical techniques in intraocular lens implantation.

Medical Innovations and Global Impact

Together with Dr. Hollows, Ruit co-developed Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS)—a safe, effective, and inexpensive surgical method using intraocular lenses. This innovation revolutionized eye care by drastically reducing costs and making cataract surgery accessible to the poorest populations.

In 1994, Dr. Ruit founded the Tilganga Eye Centre (now the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology) in Kathmandu, a world-class facility dedicated to providing affordable and quality eye care. The institute manufactures intraocular lenses at less than $5 each, compared to international prices of $100–$150, and prosthetic eyes for just $3. As of today, Tilganga has treated hundreds of thousands of patients and trained over 500 international ophthalmic professionals, extending its impact far beyond Nepal.

Dr. Ruit’s model emphasizes outreach and equity. His mobile eye camps, often set up in schools, tents, or rural huts, have restored sight to tens of thousands of people who could not reach city hospitals. His efforts span over 20 countries, including India, China, Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, North Korea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Global Recognition and Awards

Dr. Ruit’s humanitarian contributions have earned him numerous international accolades:

• Ramon Magsaysay Award (2006) – Often dubbed the "Asian Nobel Prize", awarded for Peace and International Understanding.

• Prince Mahidol Award, Thailand (2007) – For excellence in Public Health.

• Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (2007) – For services to humanity.

• National Order of Merit, Bhutan (2015) – For his contributions to Bhutan’s public health system.

• Asian Game Changer Award (2016) – Recognized for restoring vision and productivity to countless lives.

• Padma Shri Award, India (2018) – One of India’s highest civilian honors.

• ISA Award for Service to Humanity, Bahrain (2023) – The Kingdom’s highest civilian honor with a $1 million cash prize.

In addition to these awards, Dr. Ruit was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in the United Kingdom, in recognition of his transformative impact on global eye health.

Publications and Legacy

Dr. Ruit's inspiring life journey is captured in the biography "The Barefoot Surgeon" by Ali Gripper, published in 2018. The book narrates his evolution from a child in a remote Himalayan village to a world-renowned medical pioneer.

In 2021, he partnered with philanthropist Tej Kohli to establish the Tej Kohli & Ruit Foundation, with an ambitious mission to screen 1 million people and cure 300,000 individuals of cataract-related blindness by 2026.

Personal Life

Dr. Ruit is married to Nanda Shrestha, an ophthalmic nurse. They have one son and two daughters. Despite offers to remain abroad, Dr. Ruit chose to return to Nepal and serve his people, exemplifying his commitment to humanitarian ideals over personal gain.

Conclusion

Professor Sanduk Ruit’s dedication, innovation, and compassion have not only transformed the landscape of eye care but have also proven that high-quality medical solutions can be made accessible and affordable. His work continues to inspire doctors, researchers, and students worldwide. By combining cutting-edge science with social commitment, Dr. Ruit has truly brought the gift of sight to those who needed it most—restoring dignity, independence, and hope to hundreds of thousands.