Visionary ophthalmologist transformed eye care for the poor; TIME magazine named him among world’s 100 most influential people
Madurai: Dr. P Namperumalsamy, a pioneering ophthalmologist and chairman-emeritus of Aravind Eye Hospital, passed away on Thursday at the age of 85. Fondly remembered as Dr. Nam, he was celebrated for his tireless mission to eliminate avoidable blindness, particularly among the underprivileged, and for shaping a globally acclaimed model of compassionate, high-volume eye care.
Born on July 9, 1940, in Ambasamudram, a small village in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, Dr. Namperumalsamy rose from humble beginnings to become a towering figure in global eye health. After completing his MBBS from Madurai Medical College, he began his medical career at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), where he established India’s first Low Vision Aid Clinic in 1967.
Following advanced training in the United States, he returned to India and founded the country’s first Vitreous Surgery Centre at GRH, and later launched the Retina Vitreous Clinic at Aravind in 1979.
Revolutionising Eye Care in India and Beyond
Under his leadership, Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai became a global model for high-quality, cost-effective eye care. The institution’s social enterprise model, which balanced world-class treatment with affordable access, won the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize in 2010. The same year, TIME magazine named Dr. Namperumalsamy among the world’s 100 most influential people, recognising his innovations in streamlining cataract surgery and delivering sight to millions.
Speaking to The Times of India, his son Dr. Venkatesh Prajna said, “My father was a thorough professional and a perfectionist—at work and at home. Despite coming from a humble background, he never stopped challenging himself to achieve global standards.”
Tributes Pour In
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin was among several leaders who expressed condolences. “He gave vision to lakhs of people,” said Stalin.
His college classmate, cardiologist Dr. Annamalaisamy, remembered him as a quiet yet brilliant student. “Even after retirement, he remained active, particularly in agriculture, and never lost touch with his roots.”
President-elect of IMA Tamil Nadu, Dr. Sridhar, called him “the perfect definition of a gentleman.”
Dr. Namperumalsamy is survived by his wife Dr. G. Natchiar, also a director-emeritus at Aravind Eye Hospital, and his sons Dr. Venkatesh Prajna and Vishnu Prasad.
His mortal remains were kept at their residence in Anna Nagar, Madurai, and will be cremated in his native village on Friday, according to family sources.
