Dr. Sanduk Ruit, a world-renowned Nepali ophthalmologist often referred to as the “God of Sight,” captivated an audience in New York City at the Mainstage Theater at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City. He shared his three-decade journey of restoring vision to millions in Nepal and beyond.
The event, titled “Changing Lives Through Sight,” was moderated by Suresh Shahi. Dr. Ruit spoke about his groundbreaking work with the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, his innovative intraocular lens (IOL) project, and the personal struggles that shaped his mission to eliminate preventable blindness.
Organized in collaboration with the Nepali Student Association at LaGuardia Community College, the event was supported by partners including the Cure Blindness Project, the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Thamel Events, RONB, Vyasa, and Khasokhas.
Born in a remote village at the foothills of Mount Kanchenjunga, Dr. Ruit recounted walking 15 days to attend school in Darjeeling, India—a journey that instilled resilience and determination. “Those early struggles taught me that life is tough, but with willpower, you can overcome anything,” he said. The loss of his sister to a now-treatable illness inspired him to pursue medicine, dedicating his career to ensuring the poor have access to life-changing care.
Dr. Ruit’s most significant contribution is the development of affordable intraocular lenses, which revolutionized cataract surgery in developing countries. In the 1980s, cataracts were the leading cause of blindness in Nepal, and imported lenses—priced at $300 each—were out of reach for most patients. Facing skepticism, Dr. Ruit and his mentor, Professor Fred Hollows, established an IOL manufacturing lab in Nepal. By the 1990s, production had scaled to 150,000 lenses annually, reducing costs to under $5 per lens. “This made modern cataract surgery accessible to millions, not just thousands,” Dr. Ruit explained, emphasizing the public health impact.
Sharing emotional stories, Dr. Ruit described a surgical camp in Tukche, Mustang, where an 18-year-old, blind for five years, walked home after regaining his sight. Another poignant moment came from a camp in eastern Nepal, where a mother—blind for nine years—saw her four-year-old child for the first time after surgery. “She grabbed her child, tears falling on his face. These moments remind me why I do this,” Dr. Ruit said, visibly moved.
Despite many challenges, including criticism for pioneering ambulatory cataract surgery in 1994, Dr. Ruit persevered with the support of his team and family. His work now extends far beyond Nepal. Through Tilganga, he has trained nearly 1,000 doctors worldwide, including in Vietnam, Cambodia, and North Korea. One of his trainees, Dr. Minh from Vietnam, now runs a 500-bed hospital—an enduring testament to the impact of Ruit’s mentorship.
Dr. Ruit’s recent U.S. visit included talks at Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and Brown, fostering new collaborations to expand his mission. Reflecting on awards such as the Padma Shri, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, and the recent Saint Giuseppe Award for humanitarian service, he noted, “They give me credibility to stand here and be heard, but the real reward is changing lives.”
Moderator Suresh Shahi encouraged the audience to support Tilganga’s mission, emphasizing that even small contributions can transform lives. “Your skipped lunch or a single paycheck can make a difference,” Shahi said.
When asked by Shahi, “I’ve heard that you don’t like being called the ‘God of Sight.’ Is that true?” Dr. Ruit replied, “Yes. I’m just an ordinary person doing my job. The name came from a patient in Indonesia who had been blind for 15 years. After surgery, she saw again and called me that. It was emotional—but I don’t see myself that way.”
Dr. Ruit also shared a recent experience from a surgical camp in Nubri Valley, Gorkha, where poverty remains prevalent. A video clip showed the transformative joy of a patient regaining sight, underscoring the immediacy and impact of his work. Inspired by the finite nature of life—especially after a visit to New York at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic—Dr. Ruit remains committed to training the next generation of doctors and encouraging young Nepali to carry his legacy forward.
As the event concluded, Dr. Ruit’s words resonated deeply: “Have a clear purpose, pursue it with passion, and love your work—it will love you back.” His tireless efforts continue to bring light to those in darkness, one surgery at a time.
For those interested in supporting Dr. Ruit’s work, contact the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology or visit their website for donation details.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
