First: Hyderabad Opthalmologist Dr Santosh G Honavar conferred Life Achievement honour by American Academy of Ophthalmology

Hyderabad: Making the country and its doctors proud, Dr Santosh G Honavar, Hyderabad-based ophthalmologist has become the first Indian to be chosen for Life Achievement honour- the highest award conferred by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to its members

The award was formally presented to Dr Honavar recently at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology held in San Francisco.

Dr Santosh G. Honavar, a Hyderabad-based ophthalmologist was chosen for its highest award to recognize his contributions to the Academy, its scientific and educational programs, and to the advancement of ophthalmology.

In a citation announcing the award, the American Academy of Ophthalmology stated that "Dr Honavar's contributions have been instrumental in supporting the Academy's mission to protect sight and empower lives."

"It is humbling to receive this unique honour bestowed upon me. I am indebted to great ophthalmologists and my teachers and mentors such as Dr Jerry and Carol Shields, NN Sood, Dr Gullapalli N Rao and Dr Mahipal S Sachdev, who have been my role models. I rededicate myself in the duty of treating eye cancers - to save life, salvage the eye and optimize vision," said Dr Honavar.

Formerly the Associate Director of LV Prasad Eye Institute, Dr Honavar currently heads the Department of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery and Ocular Oncology and National Retinoblastoma Foundation at Centre for Sight, Hyderabad.

He leads the Medical Services team and the educational wing - CFS Education. Centre for Sight is the leading network of 54 tertiary care eye hospitals in India and is supported by the Mahindra Group.

He is also the Chief Editor of the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. The journal publishes articles on ophthalmology and vision science. Dr Honavar has been its editor for 3 years.

Dr Honavar leads the International Council of Ophthalmology oculoplasty fellowship curriculum development committee and the oculoplasty section of the residency curriculum development committee. He is also on the ICO panel for ICD-11 and AJCC-8 committee.

He recently completed his term as the President of the Asia Pacific Society of Ocular Oncology and Pathology. He is currently the Scientific Program Coordinator of the Oculoplastics Association of India, and member of the Oculoplasty Program Committee of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Dr Honavar runs a very active fellowship program in ophthalmic plastic surgery and ocular oncology, and has trained over 70 national and international fellows. He also runs the ICO international retinoblastoma fellowship.

Dr Honavar is a nationally and internationally acclaimed ophthalmologist. In the past, he was awarded one of the highest recognitions in Indian Science, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award by The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India for his path-breaking research on childhood eye cancer Retinoblastoma.

He has also got Jerry Shields Award by the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology and most recently the Peter Rogers Oration by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeons.

Ocular oncology, especially retinoblastoma, has been the principal focus of Dr Honavar and he is known to have contributed to the understanding and treatment of tumors affecting the eyelid, ocular surface, intraocular structures and orbit.

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American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye specialists. The mission of the American Academy of Ophthalmology is to protect sight and empower lives by serving as an advocate for patients and the public, leading ophthalmic education, and advancing the profession of ophthalmology.

Founded in 1896 and headquartered in San Francisco, USA, American Academy of Ophthalmology has 32,000 professional members. 90 per cent of its members are practising ophthalmologists.

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