Lighting the Darkness: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Sanduk Ruit.

Dr. Sanduk Ruit, often revered as "The God of Sight," is a globally renowned ophthalmologist from Nepal who has transformed the lives of over 150,000 people by restoring their vision. His work, characterized by compassion, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to public service, has made him a symbol of hope for countless individuals living in poverty and blindness. His pioneering efforts in developing and disseminating cost-effective cataract surgery have revolutionized eye care, especially in underserved and remote regions. Through his lifetime of service, Dr. Ruit has become not just a healer of eyes, but a restorer of dignity and opportunity. Early Life and Inspiration Dr. Ruit was born on September 4, 1954, in the remote village of Olangchung Gola in Taplejung District, northeastern Nepal, close to the Tibetan border. The region is one of the most isolated and underdeveloped in the country. His family, like many others, led a modest life based on subsistence farming and trading. Tragedy struck early in his life when his sister died from a treatable disease due to the lack of medical facilities in the region. This deeply traumatic event left a profound impact on young Ruit and planted the seed of determination to pursue a career in medicine. He was the first child from his village to attend school. With encouragement from his family and immense dedication, he excelled academically and earned a scholarship to study medicine in India. He graduated from King George’s Medical College in Lucknow, and later specialized in ophthalmology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one of India’s premier medical institutions. Medical Career and Turning Point After completing his studies, Dr. Ruit returned to Nepal and began working at the Nepal Eye Hospital in Kathmandu. During this time, he met and collaborated with Australian ophthalmologist Professor Fred Hollows, a major influence on his career. Together, they developed a shared vision: to eradicate preventable blindness in the developing world using simple, affordable, and scalable methods. The turning point in Dr. Ruit’s career came when he started focusing on cataract blindness, one of the leading causes of blindness globally, especially in low-income countries. Conventional cataract surgery was expensive and inaccessible for most poor people in Nepal and surrounding regions. Ruit, determined to bring affordable eye care to the masses, started researching ways to reduce costs without compromising quality. The Ruit Technique Dr. Ruit is most celebrated for perfecting a low-cost, high-quality small-incision cataract surgery technique that does not require stitches and can be performed in less than 10 minutes. This method, also known as Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS), drastically reduced the cost of cataract surgery to as little as $25 per eye, a fraction of what the procedure would typically cost in developed nations. What sets Dr. Ruit's work apart is not just the surgical innovation but also the ecosystem he created around it. He co-founded the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology in 1994, which became the hub for developing surgical training programs, outreach programs, and an intraocular lens (IOL) manufacturing facility. The IOLs, which cost hundreds of dollars when imported, were produced locally at a cost of less than $5 each, making the entire process self-sustainable. Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology Tilganga Institute has become a global model of how advanced medical care can be provided affordably and effectively in low-resource settings. Under Dr. Ruit’s leadership, Tilganga not only provides free or affordable eye care to thousands each year but also trains ophthalmologists from all over the world in his techniques. It runs mobile eye camps that travel to some of the most remote and underserved areas, setting up fully functional operating theaters in tents, schools, and community centers. Patients walk for days, often carried by family members, to reach these camps in the hope of regaining their sight. Many of them are elderly individuals who have been blind for years. Watching them regain their sight within minutes after surgery is nothing short of a miracle—hence the nickname, "The God of Sight." Global Impact Dr. Ruit’s model has been replicated in several countries, including India, Ethiopia, Myanmar, North Korea, Bhutan, and many others. He has personally trained hundreds of eye surgeons who continue to spread his vision of accessible and affordable eye care. His influence extends beyond the borders of medicine. He has shown that high-quality healthcare can be delivered to the poorest populations without relying heavily on foreign aid. His approach is rooted in local empowerment, self-reliance, and sustainability. In recognition of his achievements, Dr. Ruit has received numerous international accolades, including: The Ramon Magsaysay Award (2006), often referred to as Asia's Nobel Prize. The Prince Mahidol Award from Thailand. The Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors (2018). The Isa Award for Service to Humanity from Bahrain (2021). The Gandhi Peace Prize (2024), awarded by the Government of India. These awards underscore his global stature not only as a surgeon but as a humanitarian. Philosophy and Vision Dr. Ruit's philosophy is grounded in equity, dignity, and service. He believes that no one should remain blind from a treatable condition due to lack of resources. His vision goes beyond surgical intervention—it is about giving people their lives back. Restoring sight enables individuals to work, support their families, and re-engage with their communities. He once said, "A person who is blind in the developing world is often perceived as a burden. When we restore sight, we are not only giving back vision but also restoring self-worth, independence, and hope." His humility and deep empathy are widely acknowledged. Despite international fame, he remains deeply connected to his roots. He frequently travels to remote areas himself to conduct surgeries, demonstrating that leadership and service go hand in hand. Legacy and Future Dr. Ruit's legacy is being carried forward not just through the thousands of people he has helped directly but also through the institutions he built, the doctors he trained, and the movement he inspired. He is a role model for socially responsible innovation and has proven that world-class healthcare can be achieved in the poorest corners of the world. His efforts continue to evolve. Tilganga Institute is now expanding into broader areas of ophthalmic research, telemedicine, and policy advocacy. There is an increasing emphasis on integrating eye care with national healthcare systems, improving data collection, and addressing other forms of preventable blindness, such as childhood blindness and diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Ruit is also mentoring the next generation of ophthalmologists to carry forward his vision. He emphasizes that true leadership lies in empowering others and creating systems that outlast individual contributions. Dr. Sanduk Ruit is more than a brilliant surgeon—he is a humanitarian, an innovator, and a global leader in public health. His work has illuminated the lives of countless people, not just by restoring their vision but by giving them a second chance at life. His story is a powerful testament to the impact of compassion combined with determination and scientific excellence. In a world where healthcare disparities continue to widen, Dr. Ruit’s model offers hope and direction. He proves that great change can come from humble beginnings and that one individual’s dedication can touch millions of lives. It is no exaggeration to call him The God of Sight—for he brings light not only to the eyes but also to the hearts and futures of those he serves.