Feature Story
Maximum refractive eye surgeries in a single day by an ophthalmologist By Sanjana Bhowmick
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n ophthalmic surgeon who is specialised in cornea and refractive surgery, Dr. Ramya has been practising for the past 11 years. After completing the MS Ophthalmology program in 2009, she was selected as the best outgoing student and honoured with the prestigious Akash Al Khalid Gold Medal. By far she performed over 20,000 refractive procedures. And has been performing cutting-edge refractive surgical procedures such as SMILE since 2014. She has carried out about 10,000 SMILE procedures to date. It took her less than ten hours to perform the SMILE Refractive procedure on 150 eyes. The feat was achieved on a single day using a single machine between 7.30 am and 5 pm. The preparation to perform this many eye surgeries in a day was done over 2-3 months. Talking about her inspiration, she says, “October has always had a unique significance for eye specialists. World Sight Day is observed on the second Thursday of October annually. On this day every year, I involve myself in various initiatives to spread awareness about the importance of eye health.
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India Book of Records | December 2021
I was motivated to attempt the record people willingly inspired by our larger vision at Dr. Agarw- undertook the als Eye Hospitals to make quality eye care procedure. accessible to all.” In the future, Hailing from a close-knit joint family, Dr. Ramya wants she has always received support through- to break her out her career. Talking about her inspira- own record by tion, Ramya says, “My family motivates me performing a to bring out the best in myself every day. maximum number For this record, my friend and colleague of refractive Dr. Preeti Naveen supported me, and surgeries in a together we performed over 200 surgical month by a single procedures in a single day from 7.30 am surgeon. to 11.50 pm. I am indeed blessed to have Dr. Ramya aims to give back to society a support system of family and friends, by bettering her skills as a surgeon who gathered together to celebrate my and helping her patients achieve the accomplishment, once the surgeries were best post-operative vision. And also be completed.” an inspiration for women in science According to Refractive surgery, though to believe in themselves and achieve a quick and simple procedure still elicits extraordinary heights. a lot of hesitation For people attempting to break your from patients. The record campaign for world sight day based on • Decision-making is the key aspect of refractive the 2021 world sight surgery. Practice relentlessly so that your day slogan “Love decision-making is sharp and intuitive. your eyes” created • Understand the machine well and polish your such an impact that skills. • Develop patience and perseverance.
