World-renowned Nepali ophthalmologist, Dr. Sanduk Ruit, often called the “God of Sight,” raised $205,848 during his U.S. tour from May to June 2025. The funds will support his mission to eradicate preventable blindness. The tour, organized by the Cure Blindness Project with Thamel NYC Events as the tour partner, received support from the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu. The money was raised through events held in several states, including New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and California.
The raised funds will support the expansion of the Intraocular Lens (IOL) Laboratory at the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Hetauda, Nepal. The new facility aims to double its current production capacity and strengthen Nepal’s position as a global leader in affordable eye care technology. Since its establishment in 1994, Tilganga’s IOL lab has produced over 6.5 million lenses, distributing them to more than 40 countries across Asia, Africa, and South America. The lab, which has an annual production of 300,000 lenses, has achieved ISO certification and CE marking, ensuring compliance with global quality and safety standards. Its work also supports high-volume cataract surgery campaigns in remote areas, restoring sight to thousands.
Tilganga’s planned expansion in Hetauda will not only increase production capacity but also introduce premium lens types to serve a broader international market while maintaining affordability for low-income populations. The key goals of the new facility are to double production capacity to meet global demand, introduce premium lenses for financial sustainability, create local employment opportunities, and further position Nepal as a global leader in eye care innovation. While the land for the facility has been secured, the project requires an estimated $5.2 million for construction and operation. U.S. Event organizer Lenin Kandel stated that the net amount of $205,848 will be transferred to Nepal in compliance with local laws, with additional contributions still expected.
Dr. Ruit’s tour included programs at prestigious institutions such as Stanford University, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute. The Ruit Foundation also contributed to the programs’ success. A key event was held in New York on May 23, followed by three additional programs. At the New York event, Dr. Ruit addressed his “God of Sight” moniker, humbly stating, “I’m just an ordinary person doing my job.” He explained the nickname originated from an Indonesian patient who regained sight after surgery—a moment that deeply moved him.
Born in a remote village at the foothills of Mount Kanchenjunga, Dr. Ruit shared that his arduous 15-day walk to school in Darjeeling, India, instilled resilience. The loss of his sister to a treatable illness fueled his commitment to medicine, particularly in providing affordable eye care for the poor. At the New York event, he recounted emotional stories, including an 18-year-old regaining sight after five years of blindness and a mother seeing her four-year-old child for the first time. “These moments remind me why I do this,” he said, visibly emotional.
Dr. Ruit’s most significant contribution is the development of affordable intraocular lenses. In the 1980s, cataracts were the leading cause of blindness in Nepal, and imported lenses were prohibitively expensive at $300. Despite initial skepticism, Dr. Ruit and his mentor, Professor Fred Hollows, established the IOL lab at Tilganga in 1995. By the 1990s, the lab produced 150,000 lenses annually, reducing the cost to under $5 per lens. His small-incision cataract surgery technique, pioneered in 1994, revolutionized eye care in developing nations where 90% of cataract patients live, making treatment accessible and effective.
Through the Himalayan Cataract Project and the Fred Hollows Foundation, Dr. Ruit has extended eye care to countries like China, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. Over 35 million surgeries have been performed under his leadership. He has also trained nearly 1,000 doctors worldwide, including Dr. Minh from Vietnam, who now runs a 500-bed hospital. Dr. Ruit’s work has earned numerous global accolades, including the 2006 Ramon Magsaysay Award, the 2007 Prince Mahidol Award for Public Health, and the 2016 Asian Game Changer Award. As Executive Director of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology, he oversees two hospitals and 16 outreach clinics in Nepal, staffed by 30 ophthalmologists.
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.
