Dr. Anujeet Paul, Eye Surgeon

26/01/2026

Thrilled to share the next edition of YO Times, the official publication of the Young Ophthalmologists Society of India 🇮🇳 — an edition focusing on *Ophthalmology Renaissance*, the tribute and look back on and technological and skill advancements in Ophthalmology over the last few decades — as a coffee table read. Also, don’t miss out on the YO creative corner, showcasing YO talent from all over the country.

Hope it is an enjoyable read.

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NsuyIG8NuOXyx_4tQc7OYyapHkwt6f5q/view?usp=sharing

Happy Republic Day! 🇮🇳

Best regards,
Dr. Nilesh Kumar (Editor-in-chief)
Dr. Anujeet Paul (Managing Editor)
Dr. Nandita Trivedi (Assistant Editor)

19/01/2026

Phaco Festival 2026! 🌟

Humbled and grateful to perform deferred live surgery — Phaco + IOL + IOL exchange with an interesting turn of events! Very well received.

A programme, difficult to topple in its scientific prowess, and even more difficult to match in scale — sets the bar high at the beginning of the year.

Just want to mention, the warmth we received, not just from the organisers, but from the staff of Nethradhama, at the venue and and hospital, was truly beautiful. Everyone is smiling, while working, always ready to help. It highlights on the beautiful work culture that exists. Special mention to the PGs and fellows, who have been absolutely meticulous, during live surgery as well as during the hall management, exceptionally executed.

For those who do not know, this year, Phaco Festival dedicated an entire hall to YOSI (Young Ophthalmologists Society of India), for the growth of young ophthalmologists — a gesture rarely seen. A hall that remained full for two days, inspite of many of attractions in the three main halls. Specially curated sessions for residents, fellows — made the hall come alive. Thank you once again for thinking of us.

.supriyasriganesh .sriganesh

31/12/2025

29/12/2025

IOL Awards 2025! 🌟

Welcome back IOL Awards, a series that continues into its second year after an extremely well received 2024 run.

I have been fortunate to implant a lot of new Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) just in the past year. In the same regard, there are still soo many more IOLs I am yet to try out.

When I was in training, I would remain puzzled over which IOL to implant when. I wish I had this write-up back then, and hope it serves as a guide for beginner surgeons, for whatever it is worth.

Disclaimer: No financial interest. Opinions are my own based on my experience (IOLs I have used).

The IOLs have been rated according to — 1. Biomaterial and biocompatibility; 2. Ease of implantation; 3. Optical clarity postoperatively; 4. Availability and company support; 5. Mechanism and deliverability of depth of focus (in cases of EDOF or Multifocal IOLs)

🌟 🌟 And the awards go to:

Best Monofocal IOL: Zeiss CT Lucia
Honarable mention: Alcon Clareon, Hoya Vivinex

Best Advanced Monofocal IOL: Hoya Vivinex Impress
Honarable mention: BVI Isopure, J&J Tecnis Eyehance

Best Premium IOL range: Alcon Clareon line-up
Honarable mention: Zeiss AT IOLs (Lucia, Lisa, Lara)

Best Toric Monofocal IOL: Hoya Vivinex Toric
Honarable mention: Alcon Clareon Toric

Best EDOF IOL: Alcon Clareon Vivity
Honarable mention: J&J Tecnis PureSee

Best Trifocal IOL: Hoya Vivinex Gemetric
Honarable mention: Rayner Galaxy (Spiral Optics), Alcon Clareon PanOptix, Rayner Trifocal

Best bang for your buck IOL: Hoya Nanex.

Best IOL of Indian origin (bang for your buck): Aurolab Essence / Appasamy Supraphob.

Best IOL for first timers in private practice: Hoya Nanex

Best range of IOLs for beginners: Hoya Nanex/Vivinex — Aurolab IOLs

Which is your favourite IOL in every category?
Tell me in the comments section below. 👇🏻

23/12/2025

What is the box club?

Great question.

The box club is a serendipitous club that was born when I started posting photos of the IOL boxes from the cataract surgeries I was performing — and was given life by Prasanna sir, when he triggered the first repost a few months ago.

Today, the box club is an empowerment club. Empowerment for young ophthalmologists, encouragement for my peers — to go out there and give their best, share the gratitude they receive and boost their fellows. The focus is never on the number of boxes, or type of IOLs — though it is indeed heartwarming to see soo many peers implanted premium IOLs for their patients. Because of the feel good factor of sharing progress together, this virtual club has now spanned the length and breadth of the country and this is just a token of gratitude extended to the early adopters.

When you are operating in the theatre (no matter which IOL or number), take a photo — tag me or any of us. I am looking forward to non-cataract surgery posts as well! Let’s encourage and empower our fellow young ophthalmic surgeons. Join the club!

22/12/2025

A wonderful week just went by as we hosted Dr. Subhashish Dey, all the way from Assam for a one week Observership + training in basic and advanced Phacoemulsification at B B Eye Foundation.

This is a comprehensive outcome driven Observership + training where we try to impart as much knowledge and skill in a week to the trainee.

Trainees observe and train in 4+ different OT setups with the Laureate, Infiniti, Constellation, Centurion, CataRhex3 and Signature Pro phaco machines + Topcon, Zeiss microscopes. The training also includes comprehensive one-on-one discussions on phaco-ergonomics, phacodynamics, phaco chop techniques and instrumentation.

Depending on the level of skill, cases are alloted under supervision. We’ve given 8 cases in a single week of training which is one of the highest on such a comprehensive teaching. Additionally, trainees get to observe complex cases — mature cataracts, small pupils, BHex and CTR implantation and phaco in compromised eyes.

Additionally, I always like to includes a segment on practice management, patient care, premium IOL and toric counselling, planning and ex*****on.

This Observership + training is open to all, and you just have to reach out to know more!

03/12/2025

Another batch of my postgraduates pass their MS Ophthalmology exams with flying colours! 🏁

Extremely glad that all of them are competent ophthalmologists, good phacosurgeons, trained in complication management (including anterior vitrectomy and secondary IOLs) and have some experience with diode lasers, with a good practical approach and clinical eye. They are also excellent human beings, above all.

27/11/2025

Operated on both eyes of a father and a grandmother of two doctors. Coincidentally, both the second eyes were operated on the same day (today).

You know that the trust has built when, you see it coming from your own fraternity. 🙏🏻

24/11/2025

What an interesting question!

India’s 190 year old monarchical rule, colonial legacy and historical conditioning has instilled a grand divide on products based on their origin and make.

Though quite harmless when it comes to bread or cake, when deciding a type of IOL implant after cataract surgery — this trivial dilemma has evolved into a mindracking concern of over optionality.

Marketing and global branding, coupled with social status signaling has led to an economic migration mindset to the “foreign” product — in view of its presumed superiority.

👉🏻 If you are an eye surgeon, you should add an IOL to your portfolio only if:

1. You believe in the biomaterial / matches the biomaterial you usually implant — which is the single most important factor for its optical clarity.

2. The mechanism of asphericity, multi-focality (if any), sterility is something that has been explained and is understood.

3. Injector and implantation system is smooth.

👉🏻 As a patient — your options may seem never-ending in the current era. However, local or foreign make should not be the sole deciding criteria (which it is in many cases). Your chair time with your surgeon before surgery is important for deciding the best IOL suitable for you — and the rest should be left to your trust in your surgeon.

✱ ✱

Photo: generated with Nano Banana Pro for Gemini.

24/11/2025

What an interesting question!

India’s 190 year old monarchical rule, colonial legacy and historical conditioning has instilled a grand divide on products based on their origin and make.

Though quite harmless when it comes to bread or cake, when deciding a type of IOL implant after cataract surgery — this trivial dilemma has evolved into a mindracking concern of over optionality.

Marketing and global branding, coupled with social status signaling has led to an economic migration mindset to the “foreign” product — in view of its presumed superiority.

👉🏻 If you are an eye surgeon, you should add an IOL to your portfolio only if:

1. You believe in the biomaterial / matches the biomaterial you usually implant — which is the single most important factor for its optical clarity.

2. The mechanism of asphericity, multi-focality (if any), sterility is something that has been explained and is understood.

3. Injector and implantation system is smooth.

👉🏻 As a patient — your options may seem never-ending in the current era. However, local or foreign make should not be the sole deciding criteria (which it is in many cases). Your chair time with your surgeon before surgery is impotent for deciding the best IOL suitable for you — and the rest should be left to your trust in your surgeon.

✱ ✱

Photo: generated with Nano Banana Pro for Gemini.

21/11/2025

Do not overlook these 10 points if you’re planning your first Trifocal IOL implantation!

💭 IOL basics:
1. Parent material family
2. Look for Intermediate add+ and near add+
3. ⁠Mechanism of multifocality for bilateral emmetropia

😯 Patient selection:
1. Age (50-75 years)
2. ⁠Healthy ocular structures (Optic nerve and retina)
3. ⁠No ocular surface diseases
4. ⁠Minimal higher-order aberrations
5. ⁠Normal pupil size (look for miotic pupils)
6. ⁠Realistic expectations or self motivated
7. ⁠Corneal astigmatism WTR 0.7 ATR 0.5
8. ⁠Angle kappa

08/10/2025

A rare full circle moment in my life, as an Ophthalmologist, a doctor and as a student — to be able to treat Mr. Gunnion, my teacher and a teacher of teachers at La Martiniere for Boys, Kolkata.

For the few who do not know, Mr. Gunnion has played a pivotal role in shaping the childhood of thousands of students, leading by example, teaching them to not only strive for excellence but also to be a good human being, with upright moral character at the same time.

Over the last two decades, he doesn’t seem to have aged a day.