Born in Olangchung Gola, Taplejung, Nepal
Sanduk Ruit
सन्दुक रूइत
Also known as God of Sight
Ophthalmologist known as the "God of Sight," pioneer of low-cost small-incision cataract surgery that has restored sight to more than 180,000 people across Asia and Africa
Currently Founder and Executive Director, Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
About
Sanduk Ruit grew up in a remote village, a week’s walk from the nearest school. When he was 17, his sister died of tuberculosis. This inspired him to become a doctor.
He trained in India before returning to Nepal. There, the Australian surgeon Fred Hollows mentored him. This mentorship led to a technique that made cataract surgery both fast and affordable. This transformed Nepal’s cataract surgery rate, from around 500 a year in 1980 to over 140,000 by 2019. He has since extended his methods to countries across Asia and Africa.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1954-09-04
- Birthplace
- Olangchung Gola, Taplejung, Nepal
- Profession
- Ophthalmologist, Humanitarian
- Current role
- Founder and Executive Director, Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Alive
Current roles
Founder and Executive Director
Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
Education
King George's Medical College
Medicine
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Master's, Ophthalmology
Career & life timeline
- 1954-09-04
- 1980
Met Australian eye surgeon Fred Hollows while working on a national blindness survey
- 1986
Developed small-incision cataract surgery (SICS)
- 1994
Founded the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in Kathmandu
- 1996
Established the Nepal Eye Bank
- 2006
Received the Ramon Magsaysay Award
Achievements
First Nepali doctor to perform cataract surgery with intraocular lens implants
Developed small-incision cataract surgery (SICS), enabling low-cost surgeries in under five minutes
1986Founded the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
1994Restored sight to more than 180,000 people across Asia and Africa
Awards & honours
Ramon Magsaysay Award for Peace and International Understanding
Organizations & affiliations
- Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology
- Himalayan Cataract Project (Cure Blindness Project)
- Nepal Eye Bank
Last updated: 2026-09-02