Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital Chennai Performs World’s First Innovative Surgery, Restores Vision to Completely Blind Mumbai Gynaecologist

Chennai, February 18, 2026: In a remarkable medical breakthrough, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital has restored vision to a 44-year-old gynaecologist from Mumbai who had become completely blind in both eyes following nearly a decade of progressive vision loss due to severe glaucoma and multiple refractory intraocular pathologies.

(L to R) Dr Manoj Khatri, Clinical Lead and Head, Department of Vitreo Retina; Dr Soosan Jacob, Director and Chief – Dr Agarwal’s Refractive and Cornea Foundation (DARCF); Dr Soundari S, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Chennai

In what is described as a first-of-its-kind surgical intervention globally, the hospital’s surgical team performed an advanced 5F-ISHF intraocular lens (IOL) implantation technique to address the patient’s highly complex ocular condition. The procedure involved removing a malpositioned artificial intraocular lens in her left eye, performing optical penetrating keratoplasty (OPK), applying the novel 5F scleral fixation technique, and carrying out pupilloplasty—all in a single sitting.

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Immediately after surgery, the patient regained 6/24 vision in her left eye, marking a life-changing recovery that has enabled her to return to medical practice. Doctors indicate that further visual improvement is highly likely as healing progresses.

The patient had been diagnosed with severe glaucoma in 2010 and had undergone multiple procedures elsewhere, including cataract surgery, trabeculectomy, and Mitomycin-C therapy. Despite sustained treatment, her vision continued to deteriorate, ultimately resulting in total blindness in the right eye and near blindness in the left.

Upon evaluation, the team identified that the immediate cause of her profound visual loss was a malpositioned intraocular lens in the left eye, which was pressing against the iris and cornea, distorting the eye’s anatomy and causing fusion of the anterior layers. The faulty lens was removed and replaced with a new, properly positioned IOL using the advanced 5F-ISHF technique. Accompanying reconstructive procedures addressed the severe structural damage and restored functional vision.

Addressing the press conference, Dr Ashvin Agarwal, Chief Clinical Officer & Senior Ophthalmologist, said, “It is truly heartening to see this young medical professional return to her practice after years of suffering and progressive vision loss. This was an exceptionally complex case requiring multiple surgical approaches delivered seamlessly. The extensive reconstruction of distorted ocular anatomy, the use of the advanced 5F-ISHF technique for secure lens fixation, and pupilloplasty together enabled a long-lasting solution.”

The surgery was performed by Dr Soosan Jacob, Director and Chief – Dr Agarwal’s Refractive and Cornea Foundation (DARCF). She explained, “When the patient presented to us, she had only perception of light and projection of rays in her left eye. While glaucoma was a longstanding issue, we identified the malpositioned artificial intraocular lens as the immediate cause of her severe vision loss. We adopted a comprehensive approach—removing the faulty IOL, reconstructing the compromised ocular structures, and implanting a new lens using the 5F-ISHF technique.”

The 5F-ISHF technique, developed by Dr Soosan Jacob, enables precise, stitchless fixation of a new intraocular lens without large incisions. The lens is fully tucked within the eye’s structure, ensuring stable, flapless fixation and offering a safer and more durable solution, particularly in highly complex cases.

The press conference was also addressed by Dr Soundari S, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Chennai, and Dr Manoj Khatri, Clinical Lead and Head, Department of Vitreo Retina.

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