Dr. Sanduk Ruit, often called the “God of Sight,” is a globally acclaimed ophthalmologist from Nepal known for restoring eyesight to hundreds of thousands of people suffering from cataract blindness. Through his revolutionary low-cost surgical techniques, humanitarian vision, and institutional legacy, he has brought light into the lives of the world’s poorest communities. This is a comprehensive look at Dr. Sanduk Ruit’s biography, career, innovations, and global impact.

Quick Facts – Dr. Sanduk Ruit

Who is Dr. Sanduk Ruit?

Dr. Sanduk Ruit is a Nepali eye surgeon best known for developing a low-cost, high-quality cataract surgery technique using intraocular lenses (IOLs). His innovation has helped millions of people regain vision, especially in low-income countries.

His mission: “To eliminate preventable blindness in the poorest communities of the world.”

Early Life and Struggles

From the Himalayas to the World Stage

Born in Olangchung Gola, a remote Himalayan village in Taplejung, Nepal, Dr. Ruit grew up in extreme poverty. His village lacked schools, electricity, and medical facilities. Tragedy struck when his sister Yangla died at 15 due to untreated tuberculosis—an event that drove him toward medicine.

Education Journey

• Sent to Darjeeling, India, for primary education

• Studied medicine at King George’s Medical College, Lucknow

• Completed MD in Ophthalmology at AIIMS, New Delhi

Medical Breakthroughs and Innovations

Training with Dr. Fred Hollows

In the 1980s, Dr. Ruit collaborated with Australian eye surgeon Fred Hollows, who mentored him in modern cataract surgery using IOLs. Their partnership focused on adapting these techniques to the developing world.

Revolutionizing Cataract Surgery

Dr. Ruit co-developed:

• Sutureless, small-incision cataract surgery

• Use of locally manufactured intraocular lenses

• Cost per surgery dropped from $300+ to under $25

“Why should the poor remain blind just because they are poor?” — Dr. Sanduk Ruit

Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO)

Founded in 1994 in Kathmandu, Nepal, the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology has become a world leader in affordable eye care.

Key Features:

• Performs over 40,000 eye surgeries annually

• Manufactures IOLs for just $3–5 (exported to 75+ countries)

• Trains global eye surgeons in low-cost techniques

• Hosts mobile eye camps in remote villages and other countries

Services:

• Cataract Surgery

• Retina and Cornea Treatment

• Pediatric Eye Care

• Glaucoma Treatment

• Free Eye Screening Camps

Global Humanitarian Outreach

Countries Served:

Nepal, India, China (Tibet), Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Kenya, Indonesia, Cambodia, North Korea, and beyond.

• Over 180,000 surgeries performed personally

• Helped millions regain sight indirectly through training and outreach

• Mobile surgical camps in the remotest regions of the world

“Blindness is not a disability when it’s curable. It’s a tragedy when we do nothing about it.”

Dr. Sanduk Ruit Book – “The Barefoot Surgeon”

Written by Ali Gripper, The Barefoot Surgeon is a biography that tells the emotional and spiritual story behind Dr. Ruit’s life. It has been translated into multiple languages including Nepali, helping spread his inspirational journey across cultures.

Awards and Recognition

Major Awards Received:

• Ramon Magsaysay Award – 2006

• Padma Shri (India’s 4th highest civilian award) – 2018

• Asia Game Changer Award – 2014

• Order of Australia – 2007

• Isa Award for Service to Humanity – 2023 ($1 million prize)

These honors recognize both his surgical excellence and his humanitarian values.

Quotes by Dr. Sanduk Ruit

“The most beautiful thing is seeing someone see again.”

“Science and compassion can walk together. Innovation isn’t just for the rich.”

“We have the tools. We need the will.”

Dr. Sanduk Ruit’s Legacy

Dr. Ruit is more than a surgeon. He is a global public health reformer whose legacy lies in:

• Empowering doctors in poor nations

• Demonstrating how localized manufacturing can disrupt global healthcare

• Making Nepal a global hub for eye care innovation

His work proves that affordable healthcare is possible, even in the world’s poorest places.

 

 Final Words

Dr. Sanduk Ruit is a national treasure of Nepal and a hero to the world. His story inspires not only doctors and humanitarian workers but also everyday individuals to believe in compassion-driven innovation. From Himalayan trails to global conferences, he has shown that true vision requires both skill and soul.