Dr. RD Ravindran

Qualification
MS, DO
Designation
Chairman
Director-Quality, Aravind Eye Care System
Location
Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai

Introduction

Specialized in the field of Cataract and Intra Ocular Lens Surgery, Dr. R.D. Ravindran started his practice under Dr. G. Venkataswamy, the Founder of Aravind Eye Care System in 1987. Every time Aravind opened a new centre, he was identified to be the Chief Medical Officer and thus has vast hands-on experience in the art and science of building and replicating hospitals. After serving as Chief Medical Officer of various Aravind centres for close to 23 years, Dr. Ravindran took on the role of Chairman of Aravind Eye Care System in 2010. Apart from managing and mentoring the key leaders of the institution, his areas of interest include teaching eye health management courses leading to capacity building of eye hospitals. He served as a Regional Co-chair of the International Association for Prevention of Blindness from 2004 to 2012 and is the Board Member of VISION 2020: The Right to Sight – India since 2008.

Research & Publications

Dr. Ravindran has published several research papers in peer reviewed International & State Journals and presented over 300 presentations in National and International Conferences.

List of publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

  1. Haripriya A, Chang DF, Ravindran RD. Endophthalmitis Reduction with Intracameral Moxifloxacin in Eyes with and without Surgical Complications: Results from 2 million consecutive cataract surgeries. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019;45:1226-1233.
  2. Gupta S, Ravindran RD, Ganesh-Babu B, Ashok Vardhan S, Thulasiraj RD. Predictors of patient compliance with follow-up after cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Sur. 2019;45:1105-1112.
  3. Sanil Joseph, Kim R, Ravindran RD, Fletcher AE, Thulasiraj RD. Effectiveness of Teleretinal Imaging–Based Hospital Referral Compared With Universal Referral in Identifying Diabetic Retinopathy: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2019;137:786-792.
  4. Gupta S, Ravindran RD, Ganesh Babu B, Ashok Vardhan S, Thulasiraj R Evidence on importance of follow-up visits after cataract surgery. Ophthalmology.2019;126:910-912.
  5. Gupta S, Haripriya A, Ashok Vardhan S, Thulasiraj RD, Ravindran RD, Madhu Shekhar. Visual Acuity Outcomes in Resident-Performed Manual Small-Incision Cataract Surgery. Ophthalmology. 2019;126:764-765.
  6. Cox JT, Ganesh Babu S, Munoz B, Friedman DS, Ravindran RD. Visual Acuity Outcomes after Cataract Surgery: High- vs. low-volume surgeons. Ophthalmology. 2019 Apr 9. [Epub]
  7. Manju R Pillai, Sapna Sinha, Pradeep Aggarwal, Ravindran RD, Privitera CM. Quantification of RAPD by an automated pupillometer in asymmetric glaucoma and its correlation with manual pupillary assessment. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2019;67:227-232.
  8. Ravindran RD, Sundaresan P, Tiruvenkada Krishnan, Vashist P, Maraini G, Saravanan V, Chakravarthy U, Smeeth L, Nitsch D, Young IS, Fletcher AE. Genetic variants in a sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter gene and age-related cataract. Br J Ophthalmol. 2019;103:1223-1227.
  9. Sachin Gupta, Haripriya Aravind, Ashok Vardhan S, Thulasiraj RD, Ravindran Residents’ Learning Curve for Manual Small-Incision Cataract Surgery at Aravind Eye Hospital, India. Ophthalmology. 2018;125:1692-1699.
  10. Haripriya A, Ramulu PY, Shivkumar C, Venkatesh R, Kalpana N, Madhu Shekhar, Ramakrishnan R, Ravindran RD, Robin AL. The Aravind Pseudoexfoliation Study (APEX): Surgical and First Year Postoperative Results in Eyes without Phacodonesis and Non-Miotic Pupils. Ophthalmology. 2019;126:362-371.
  11. Rajendran A, Dhoble P, Sundaresan P, Saravanan V, Vashist P, Nitsch D, et al. Genetic risk factors for late age-related macular degeneration in India. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018;102:1213-1217.
  12. Joseph S, Krishnan T, Ravindran RD, Maraini G, Camparini M, 5Chakravarthy U, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for myopia and other refractive errors in an adult population in southern India. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt. 2018;38:346–58.
  13. Ehrlich JR, Frank C, Smiley J, Le H-G, Joseph S, Schilling SG, et al. Development of a rapid point-of-care patient reported outcome measure for cataract surgery in India. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2018;16:25.
  14. Thiel CL, Schehlein E, Ravilla T, Ravindran RD, Robin AL, Saeedi OJ, et al. Cataract surgery and environmental sustainability: Waste and lifecycle assessment of phacoemulsification at a private healthcare facility. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2017;43:1391–8.
  15. Lalitha P, Sengupta S, Ravindran RD, Sharma S, Joseph J, Ambiya V, et al. A literature review and update on the incidence and microbiology spectrum of postcataract surgery endophthalmitis over past two decades in India. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2017;65:673–7.
  16. Haripriya A, Chang DF, Ravindran RD. Endophthalmitis Reduction with Intracameral Moxifloxacin Prophylaxis: Analysis of 600 000 Surgeries. Ophthalmology. 2017;124:768–75.
  17. Grzybowski A, Schwartz SG, Matsuura K, Ong Tone S, Arshinoff S, Ng JQ, et al. Endophthalmitis Prophylaxis in Cataract Surgery: Overview of Current Practice Patterns Around the World. Curr Pharm Des. 2017;23:565–73.
  18. Haripriya A, Chang DF, Namburar S, Smita A, Ravindran RD. Efficacy of Intracameral Moxifloxacin Endophthalmitis Prophylaxis at Aravind Eye Hospital. Ophthalmology. 2016;123:302–8.
  19. Ravilla TD, Gupta S, Ravindran RD, Vashist P, Krishnan T, Maraini G, et al. Use of Cooking Fuels and Cataract in a Population-Based Study: The India Eye Disease Study. Environ Health Perspect. 2016;124:1857–62.
  20. Haripriya A, Chang DF, Namburar S, Anand S, Ravindran RD. Reply. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(12):e69.
  21. Le H-G, Ehrlich JR, Venkatesh R, Srinivasan A, Kolli A, Haripriya A, et al. A Sustainable Model For Delivering High-Quality, Efficient Cataract Surgery In Southern India. Health Aff (Millwood). 2016;35:1783–90.
  22. Haripriya A, Baam ZR, Ravindran RD. Postoperative cataract care: the Aravind perspective. Community Eye Health. 2016;29:25–6.
  23. Subburaman G-BB, Hariharan L, Ravilla TD, Ravilla RD, Kempen JH. Demand for Tertiary Eye Care Services in Developing Countries. Am J Ophthalmol. 2015;160:619-627.
  24. Senthilkumari S, Talwar B, Dharmalingam K, Ravindran RD, Jayanthi R, Sundaresan P, et al. Polymorphisms in sodium-dependent vitamin C transporter genes and plasma, aqueous humor and lens nucleus ascorbate concentrations in an ascorbate depleted setting. Exp Eye Res. 2014;124:24–30.
  25. Das T, Ravilla RD, Ravilla SD, Venkatesh K. The Endophthalmitis Kit. Asia Pac J Ophthalmol (Phila). 2013;2:362–4.
  26. Sundaresan P, Vashist P, Ravindran RD, Shanker A, Nitsch D, Nonyane BAS, et al. Polymorphisms in ARMS2/HTRA1 and complement genes and age-related macular degeneration in India: findings from the INDEYE study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53:7492–7.
  27. Sundaresan P, Ravindran RD, Vashist P, Shanker A, Nitsch D, Talwar B, et al. EPHA2 polymorphisms and age-related cataract in India. PLoS ONE. 2012;7:e33001.
  28. Sengupta S, Venkatesh R, Ravindran RD. Safety and efficacy of using off-label bevacizumab versus mitomycin C to prevent bleb failure in a single-site phacotrabeculectomy by a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Glaucoma. 2012;21:450–9.
  29. Sengupta S, Thiruvengadakrishnan K, Ravindran RD, Vaitilingam MC. Changing referral patterns of infectious corneal ulcers to a tertiary care facility in south India – 7-year analysis. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2012;19:297–301.
  30. Sengupta S, Ravindran RD, Kannusamy V, Tamrakar V. Bilateral simultaneous disc edema and cataract associated with albright hereditary osteodystrophy. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2012;19:166–8.
  31. Vashist P, Talwar B, Gogoi M, Maraini G, Camparini M, Ravindran RD, et al. Prevalence of cataract in an older population in India: the India study of age-related eye disease. Ophthalmology. 2011;118:272–8.e1–2.
  32. Sengupta S, Rajan S, Reddy PR, Thiruvengadakrishnan K, Ravindran RD, Lalitha P, et al. Comparative study on the incidence and outcomes of pigmented versus non pigmented keratomycosis. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2011;59:291–6.
  33. Ravindran RD, Venkatesh R, Chang D, Sengupta S. Reply to “reducing endophthalmitis in India: an example of the importance of critical appraisal.” Indian J Ophthalmol. 2011;59:412–4.
  34. Ravindran RD, Vashist P, Gupta SK, Young IS, Maraini G, Camparini M, et al. Prevalence and risk factors for vitamin C deficiency in north and south India: a two centre population based study in people aged 60 years and over. PLoS ONE. 2011;6:e28588.
  35. Ravindran RD, Vashist P, Gupta SK, Young IS, Maraini G, Camparini M, et al. Inverse association of vitamin C with cataract in older people in India. Ophthalmology. 2011;118:1958–65.e2.
  36. Patel V, Chatterji S, Chisholm D, Ebrahim S, Gopalakrishna G, Mathers C, et al. Chronic diseases and injuries in India. Lancet. 2011;377:413–28.
  37. Venkatesh R, Tan CSH, Sengupta S, Ravindran RD, Krishnan KT, Chang DF. Phacoemulsification versus manual small-incision cataract surgery for white cataract. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2010;36:1849–54.
  38. Sengupta S, Venkatesh R, Ravindran RD. Unilateral Optic Nerve Entrance Coloboma: The Broken Disc Anomaly. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2010 Mar 9;1–3.
  39. Sengupta S, Reddy PR, Gyatsho J, Ravindran RD, Thiruvengadakrishnan K, Vaidee V. Risk factors for intraocular penetration of caterpillar hair in Ophthalmia Nodosa: a retrospective analysis. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2010;58:540–3.
  40. Krishnan T, Ravindran RD, Murthy GVS, Vashist P, Fitzpatrick KE, Thulasiraj RD, et al. Prevalence of early and late age-related macular degeneration in India: the INDEYE study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010;51:701–7.
  41. Venkatesh R, Veena K, Ravindran RD. Capsulotomy and hydroprocedures for nucleus prolapse in manual small incision cataract surgery. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2009;57:15–8.
  42. Venkatesh R, Tan CSH, Singh GP, Veena K, Krishnan KT, Ravindran RD. Safety and efficacy of manual small incision cataract surgery for brunescent and black cataracts. Eye (Lond). 2009;23:1155–7.
  43. Sengupta S, Dhanapal P, Ravindran RD, Devi N. Cerebral blindness after scorpion sting. J Neuroophthalmol. 2009;29:154–5.
  44. Ravindran RD, Venkatesh R, Chang DF, Sengupta S, Gyatsho J, Talwar B. Incidence of post-cataract endophthalmitis at Aravind Eye Hospital: outcomes of more than 42,000 consecutive cases using standardized sterilization and prophylaxis protocols. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2009;35:629–36.
  45. Krishnan T, Sengupta S, Reddy PR, Ravindran RD. Secondary pseudomonas infection of fungal keratitis following use of contaminated natamycin eye drops: a case series. Eye (Lond). 2009;23:477–9.
  46. Venkatesh R, Thirumalai Kumar T, Ravindran RD. Greenish discoloration of silicone intraocular lens. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2008;56:170–1.
  47. Venkatesh R, Tan CSH, Veena K, Ravindran RD. Severe anterior capsular phimosis following acrylic intraocular lens implantation in a patient with pseudoexfoliation. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging. 2008;39:228–9.
  48. Venkatesh R, Ravindran RD, Bharathi B, Sengupta S. Optic nerve cysticercosis. Ophthalmology. 2008;115:2094.
  49. Radhakrishnan M, Venkatesh R, Ravindran RD. Cost-effectiveness. Ophthalmology. 2008;115:211–2; author reply 212.
  50. Venkatesh R, Veena K, Gupta S, Ravindran RD. Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome associated with terazosin. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2007;55:395–6.
  51. Venkatesh R, Tan CSH, Kumar TT, Ravindran RD. Safety and efficacy of manual small incision cataract surgery for phacolytic glaucoma. Br J Ophthalmol. 2007;91:279–81.
  52. Narendran V, John RK, Raghuram A, Ravindran RD, Nirmalan PK, Thulasiraj RD. Diabetic retinopathy among self-reported diabetics in southern India: a population based assessment. Br J Ophthalmol. 2002;86:1014–8.
  53. Sahu DK, Namperumalsamy P, Kim R, Ravindran RD. Argon laser treatment for premacular hemorrhage. Retina (Philadelphia, Pa). 1998;18:79–82.
  54. Civerchia L, Ravindran RD, Apoorvananda SW, Ramakrishnan R, Balent A, Spencer MH, et al. High-volume intraocular lens surgery in a rural eye camp in India. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers. 1996;27:200–8.
  55. Ravindran RD, Premachandran C, Tharala P. Trabeculectomy combined with posterior chamber intra ocular lens Implantation. Afro Asian J Ophthalmol. 1991;10:17-19.
  56. Ravindran RD, Premachandran C. Role of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in extracapsular cataract surgery. Afro Asian J Ophthalmol. 1991;9:124-126.
  57. Sudhakar J, Ravindran RD, Natchiar G. Analysis of complications in 1000 cases of posterior chamber intra ocular lens implantation. Indian J Ophthalmol. 1989;37:78–79.

Reviewer in Journals:

  • Asia-Pacific Journal of Ophthalmology
  • BMC Ophthalmology
  • Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
  • Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology
  • Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery

Activities

At Aravind Eye Care System
  •  Chairman of Aravind Eye Care System , Madurai
  • Professor of Ophthalmology – Aravind Eye Hospital & Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai
At National Level
  • Board Member, Vision 2020 Right To Sight India, New Delhi (Since 2008)
  • Member – Taskforce on Standard Treatment Guidelines – National Health Systems Resource Centre, Government of India, New Delhi from 2015.
  • Member of the Expert Committee of National Accreditation Board for Hospitals on formulating standards for eye hospitals – 2016
  • Member – Sector Innovation Council for Health – National Health Systems Resource Centre, Government of India, New Delhi from 2013.
Other Positions Held
  • 1991: Organising Secretary – TNOA Conference, Tirunelveli
  • Managing Committee Member, Tamilnadu Ophthalmic Association for several years
  • 1999: Chairman – Scientific Committee – TNOA Conference
  • 1999 – 2004: Member of Editorial Board – TNOA Journal
  • 1999 – 2001: President, Coimbatore Ophthalmic Association
  • 2004 – 2012: Regional Co Chair (for India), International Association for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) -South East Asia Region
  • 2006: Chairman, Scientific Committee – TNOA Conference, Pondicherry

Awards & Recognition

  • 1981 : Col. Chalmar’s Gold Medal for Proficiency in Midwifery in the University Examination
  • 1981 : N.Radhakrishna Iyer Prize for Proficiency in Gynecology in the Competitive Examination
  • 1993 : Awarded Best Video film screened in AIOS meeting, at Bombay titled “Villager’s awareness program”
  • 1994 : Awarded Best instruction video film screened at AIOS meeting at Calcutta titled ” Systems approach to large volume high quality cataract surgery” 
  • 1997 : For the sake of Honour Award by Rotary Club of Tinnevelly – Dist 3210
  • 2000 : Joshi Oration Award given by Vidarbha Ophthalmic Association at Yevatmal, Maharashtra
  • 2002 : Awarded Dr.Sundreshwaran Endowment Award at the India Medical Association meeting held at Coimbatore
  • 2011 : “Heroes of Humanity Award” in recognition of his selfless service to the society by the Art of Living Foundation, Banglore on the occasion of its 30th anniversary celebrations at Chennai
  • 2011 : IIRSI Gold Medal at The Indian Intraocular Implant and Refractive Society at Chennai
  • 2011 : Dr. G. Venkatasamy Gold Medal Oration for outstanding contribution to the field of community ophthalmology by the TamilNadu Ophthalmic Association
  • 2013 : Best Doctor Award by Ekam Foundation and Udhavum Ullangal Chennai as part of K S Sanjivi Award ceremony which honours doctors who provide exemplary service in the field of their work
  • 2013 : “ Rustom Ranji Oration Award” at the Andhra Pradesh State Ophthalmic Conference
  • 2013 : Mehra ACOIN Award at the 4th annual conference of the Association of Community Ophthalmologists of India (ACOIN)
  • 2014 : Lifetime Achievement Award by the Saveetha University, Chennai
  • 2015 : One Among Hundred World’s Compassionate Leaders by SALT Magazine
  • 2016 : Sushrutha Lecture Award given by APAO in Annual Conference held in Taipei, Taiwan
  • 2016 : Joseph Gnanadickam Gold Medal Oration Award by the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association
  • 2017 : KTK Lifetime Achievement Award for Dr. R.D. Ravindran by Rotary Club of Chennai – IT City Chennai
  • 2019 : Delivered the Second Krovvidi Family Endowment Lecture at L V Prasad Eye Institute