THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
MUMBAI,
FEBRUARY 18, 2026
In a remarkable medical
breakthrough, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital has restored vision to a 44-year-old
Mumbai-based gynaecologist who had been completely blind in both eyes after a
decade of progressive vision loss caused by severe glaucoma and multiple
refractory intraocular pathologies that had failed to respond to several
earlier surgeries.
In what the hospital described
as a complex, first-of-its-kind surgical intervention globally, the ophthalmic
team performed the advanced 5F-ISHF intraocular lens implantation technique in
a single sitting along with removal of a malpositioned artificial lens in the
left eye, optical penetrating keratoplasty, the novel five-flanged scleral
fixation method, and pupilloplasty to correct multiple structural abnormalities
of the eye.
The patient achieved 6/24 vision
in her left eye immediately after surgery — an outcome that has enabled her to
resume clinical practice and regain functional independence. Doctors expect
further visual improvement as postoperative healing progresses.
The gynaecologist had
long-standing severe glaucoma; however, the immediate cause of her profound
vision loss was a displaced intraocular lens that was exerting pressure on the
iris and cornea, distorting the anterior segment and causing fusion of the eye’s
front layers. Surgeons removed the faulty lens and implanted a new, properly
positioned intraocular lens using the 5F technique. The accompanying procedures
addressed the refractory complications, reconstructed the severely compromised
ocular anatomy, and restored structural integrity, ultimately enabling
meaningful visual recovery.
Dr Ashvin Agarwal, Chief
Clinical Officer and Senior Ophthalmologist, said, “It is truly heartening to
see this young medical professional return to her practice after years of
suffering and progressive vision loss. This was an exceptionally complex case.
The complexity and severity of her condition required multiple surgical
approaches delivered in a seamless manner. This included extensive
reconstruction of the distorted ocular anatomy, the use of the advanced 5F-ISHF
technique to securely fix a new intraocular lens, and pupilloplasty. Addressing
only one dimension of the problem would not have enabled her to regain
functional vision in her left eye. It was the combined expertise,
infrastructure, and surgical capability of our team that allowed us to provide
a long-lasting solution.”
Dr Soosan Jacob, Director and Chief of Dr Agarwal’s Refractive and Cornea Foundation (DARCF), who led the surgery, said, “The patient was diagnosed with glaucoma in 2010 and had been undergoing treatment elsewhere for over a decade. Despite sustained care, including cataract surgery, trabeculectomy, and Mitomycin-C therapy, her vision had continued to deteriorate, eventually leading to total vision loss in the right eye and near blindness in the left. When she presented to us, she had only perception of light and projection of rays in her left eye. While she had a history of severe glaucoma, we identified that the immediate cause of her profound visual loss was a malpositioned artificial intraocular lens in the left eye. We therefore adopted a comprehensive approach, removing the faulty IOL, reconstructing the compromised ocular structures, and implanting a new lens using the 5F-ISHF technique.”
The 5F-ISHF method, developed by Dr Soosan Jacob, enables secure intraocular lens placement without sutures or large incisions. The lens is fully tucked within the eye’s structural framework, allowing stable, flapless fixation and reducing long-term complications. The technique is considered particularly valuable in highly complex eyes with inadequate capsular support, offering a safer and more durable alternative to conventional approaches.
