Dr Gullapalli N Rao inducted to Ophthalmology Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame honours pioneers in ophthalmology for their distinguished careers and contributions, with the physicians selected by their peers - more than 30,000 ophthalmologists across the world, it said.

Since its inception in 1999, 55 scientists and physicians of all generations have been recognised by the Ophthalmology Hall of Fame.

According to the official ASCRS website, the Ophthalmology Hall of Fame inductees are "individuals whose contribution to the field of ophthalmology have shaped the way modern ophthalmology is practiced" and "who have trained thousands of ophthalmologists who practice throughout the world, and developed institutions that will continue ophthalmic research for years to come."

Dr Rao said, "I feel overwhelmed and humbled to be part of this group of all-time greats of ophthalmology. I am very grateful to everyone especially in LVPEI for helping me in this journey, without which this wouldn't have been possible."

After a successful career in the US as an academic ophthalmologist, Dr Rao founded the LVPEI in 1987. Dr Rao received his basic medical education in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, and completed his postgraduate residency training in ophthalmology at the All India Institute for Medical Sciences, New Delhi. His areas of specialisation include diseases of the cornea, eye banking, corneal transplantation, community eye health, eye care policy and planning, it was stated.