Dr. Purendra Bhasin

Eyesight is one of the simplest things we take for granted until it’s lost. Our ability to see defines how we experience the world, how we work, and how we connect with the people we love. And yet, millions of people continue to live with preventable blindness, a condition that can take away their independence. To change this reality, it takes not just medicine but also people who are willing to dedicate their lives to restoring people’s vision and dignity.

One such visionary is Dr. Purendra Bhasin, a distinguished ophthalmologist who has spent over three decades transforming the landscape of eye care in India. What began as a small five-bed clinic in Gwalior has grown into Ratan Jyoti Netralaya, a super-speciality institute, and a multispeciality healthcare centre RJN Apollo Spectra Hospitals. Through these institutions, Dr. Bhasin has built a legacy of compassion, innovation, and commitment to accessible healthcare for all.

The Man at the Helm

Born into a family that valued education and service, Dr. Purendra Bhasin’s path toward medicine was shaped early in life. He completed his MBBS and later pursued specialisation in ophthalmology, driven by a deep interest in preventing avoidable blindness and bringing advanced eye care closer to people.

He began his academic journey at G.R. Medical College, Gwalior, where he earned his MBBS in 1989, followed by an MS in Ophthalmology in 1993. Determined to refine his expertise further, he pursued multiple fellowships at leading institutions, including General Ophthalmology at Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai (1994); Anterior Segment Microsurgery & Intraocular Lens Implantation (1995); and advanced training in Cataract Management & Phacoemulsification under Dr. Abhay R. Vasavada in Ahmedabad.

What truly motivated Dr. Bhasin, however, was the joy of restoring sight. Every successful surgery, every patient’s gratitude, reinforced his mission to establish a world-class eye care institution in Central India. Along the way, he has trained many young ophthalmologists and led research inititives that has advanced modern ophthalmology in India. His peers respect him as a leader in the field, but patients know him best for his compassion and commitment.

Ratan Jyoti Netralaya: A Vision Realised

The inspiration to create Ratan Jyoti Netralaya came from Dr. Bhasin’s time at Aravind Eye Hospital in Tamil Nadu, known for its accessible eye care. Recognising the absence of a tertiary eye care facility in Madhya Pradesh, he set out to fill that gap.

In 1996, with the support of his wife Dr. Priyamvada Bhasin, he opened a modest five-bed clinic in Gwalior. What started with a few rooms and a handful of patients has since grown into a super-speciality institute known for advanced ophthalmology and compassionate care.

Today, RJN performs more than 1.5 lakh surgeries every year, employs over 1,000 staff, and runs a cross-subsidisation model that supports the Ratan Jyoti Charitable Foundation, enabling 15,000+ free surgeries annually. The institute has also expanded into three vision centers, training programs, and research initiatives, and in 2008, was formally inaugurated by former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

The journey has since extended to RJN Apollo Spectra Hospitals, a state-of-the-art multispecialty center offering advanced care in neurology, cardiology, nephrology, orthopaedics, and more, strengthening the healthcare ecosystem of Central India.

Advanced Treatments at RJN

Ratan Jyoti Netralaya provides a complete range of eye care, from cataract and glaucoma management to retina surgeries, cornea transplants, paediatric ophthalmology, oculoplasty, and 24/7 trauma care. The hospital also offers vision correction through Contoura Vision and LASIK, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma screening via telemedicine, along with low vision and contact lens clinics.

To stay ahead in ophthalmology, RJN has also introduced several groundbreaking technologies, including:

• Contoura Vision: Advanced laser vision correction, beyond LASIK and SMILE

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for early disease detection

• Intraoperative OCT for real-time surgical guidance

• AI-powered retinal diagnostics

• Corneal Cross-Linking (C3R), the first in Madhya Pradesh for keratoconus

• Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

• 3D visualisation systems for complex retinal surgeries

A Patient-Centric Approach

For Dr. Bhasin, the most profound lesson from his journey in medicine is that healthcare goes beyond treatment; it is about understanding and supporting the overall well-being of patients. Empathy, trust, and holistic care are essential, alongside staying updated with emerging medical advancements and continuously upgrading skills to provide world-class care.

His personal philosophy revolves around delivering accessible, high-quality eye care to all, regardless of socioeconomic status, integrating the latest technology and research to enhance outcomes, and ensuring ethical, patient-centric care that prioritises safety, comfort, and long-term vision health. He also emphasises creating awareness about preventable blindness through community outreach and education.

Milestones & Achievements

Dr. Bhasin’s career has been defined by innovation and excellence. His drive to innovate stems from a vision to provide global-standard eye care while ensuring it remains accessible and affordable. By introducing breakthrough technologies and surgical techniques, he has kept Madhya Pradesh at the forefront of ophthalmic advancements and extended world-class treatments even to the most underserved communities.

Key milestones in his journey include:

• 3+ million outpatient visits and over 600,000 surgeries performed

• First LASIK and ICL (Phakic IOL) surgeries in Madhya Pradesh

• Establishment of the first state-of-the-art eye care facility in MP, inaugurated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam (2008)

• Opening of RJN Apollo Spectra Multispecialty Hospital (2016)

• Recognition by AIOS, Ocular Trauma Society, and MP State Ophthalmic Society

• Establishment of the RJN Research & Training Center for Ophthalmology

What Lies Ahead

Dr. Bhasin envisions a future where preventable blindness is eradicated and every individual, regardless of financial background, has access to the best eye care. His focus remains on affordable yet world-class ophthalmic treatment and training the next generation of skilled eye specialists.

Ratan Jyoti Netralaya remains dedicated to pioneering new research, adopting global best practices, and fostering a culture of excellence in ophthalmology and overall healthcare. Their plans include expanding tertiary eye care across Central, Northern, and Western India, introducing AI-powered diagnostics and mass screening, enhancing telemedicine for underserved areas, and establishing an internationally recognised ophthalmology research center.

At the same time, RJN Apollo Spectra Hospitals will continue to expand as a premier multispecialty healthcare center, integrating advanced technologies across neurology, cardiology, nephrology, and paediatrics.

Words of Wisdom