Mysuru: Dr. K V Ravishankar and Dr. Uma Ravishankar, renowned eye surgeons, were honoured by American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery Foundation for their outstanding humanitarian contribution in eye care. The couple were nominated for the prestigious ‘Chang Humanitarian Award’ by the ASCRS Foundation and recognition for the same has been received.
During the past 22 years, the duo has performed over one lakh eye operations and procedures. Since 1995 over 20,000 have been operated free of cost, mainly for cataract.
Dr. Ravishankar and Dr. Uma are a unique couple. After completing FRCS in the UK, they had multiple career options which were lucrative. But, they had a different view and after a long stint under Dr. S S Badrinath of Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, they started Usha Kiran Eye Hospital at Mysuru in 1995. Dr. Ravishankar specialises in Retina/Vitreous diseases, and surgeries of children’s eyes, and Dr. Uma Ravishankar specializes in surgery of the cornea and cataract.
Speaking to Newskarnataka Dr. Ravishankar said, “We are continuing to do the job that we have been doing for over two decades. It feels good when someone far away recognises you for the work that you are doing, even though we do our work without any publicity.” He said that Dr. Uma had received an award from a UK based organisation four months prior. Speaking about the awards, he said that they add more responsibility on them while also giving them recognition.
“In last 25 years, we have not only served across the country but also across 25 different countries. A few days ago, I had been to Gambia where we performed 45 major eye surgeries. It was a team work on this occasion and we would not have been able to achieve this feat without the help of our friends and philanthropists,” he added.
Since 2009, the duo has participated in 400 days of school screening for over 2 Lakh children, detailed examinations for over 20,000 people at hospitals, provided glasses to over 7000 children, and performed over 500 surgeries for children with a multitude of eye diseases. These include-cataract at birth or young age, squinting eyes, droopy lids, teary eyes, glaucoma at birth or young age, and retinoblastoma, a deadly tumor in children. All the above services have been provided entirely free of cost to the patients. They have also volunteered their services for International Service Projects. They have served in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and India, making a huge difference in the lives of the needy people of those countries. They have also been involved in teaching and training.
