The award was presented during the World Eye Bank Symposium (WEBS2024) in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 25 September 2024, where Prof Sharma was honoured for her outstanding contributions to the international eye banking community.
Interview wit Prof Namrata Sharma
Congratulations on winning the Dr Paul Dubord Award for International Eye Banking! What significance does this award have for you personally and professionally?
Thank you for the valuable recognition. This award is a tribute to the person who changed the platform of Eye banking globally. It serves as a powerful motivation for myself and my team to diligently pursue excellence in eye banking and corneal transplantation. It has special relevance in my country because he was instrumental in changing the face of Eye Banking in Indian Ophthalmology. The award also highlights the contributions of my alma mater, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, as we work to elevate the standards of care in our field both nationally and internationally. Furthermore, it will foster valuable collaborations across the globe.
Can you tell us something about your work in international eye banking that led to this award?
My involvement with the Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI) and Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) as a Medical Advisory Board member and Research Committee member, along with my roles in AEBA and GAEBA, have helped me to enhance eye banking services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we at EBAI played a key role in developing comprehensive guidelines for safe eye banking practices, which have been published and cited globally. Also, we facilitated online meetings and consensus-building sessions to promote the widespread implementation of these guidelines in India and beyond.
I have an extensive portfolio of publications in eye banking and corneal transplantation, covering innovative techniques, improved corneal preservation methods, and advancements in donor tissue evaluation protocols, as well as fostering HCRP initiatives. In total, I have published 620 articles, with 142 focused specifically on corneal transplantation and eye banking. I have also authored bestselling books, including the third edition of “Corneal Transplantation” and “Step by Step DALK and DSAEK.” My research on bioengineered corneas has been featured in the prestigious “Nature Biotechnology” journal, which boasts an impact factor of 68.1.
What inspired you to specialize in ophthalmology, particularly in the field of eye banking?
My MD thesis was on keratoconus comparing epi-keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty in cases of keratoconus. Subsequently, I did senior residency in Cornea and External Eye Diseases at R.P. Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi. Since then, I developed a strong passion for the subspecialty of cornea, particularly corneal transplantation. I witnessed first hand how keratoplasty could dramatically enhance vision and significantly improve the quality of life for recipients. I also explored the innovative concept of utilizing a single donor tissue for multiple recipients. With every contribution I made, my motivation to advance in this field grew exponentially. These formative years had a profound impact on shaping my career and future aspirations.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced in improving access to corneal transplantation and eye banking services worldwide?
Establishing eye banking facilities at multiple levels through government-supported programs and inspiring young minds both in India and around the world to enhance tissue utilization and outcomes has been one of my greatest challenges. Furthermore, the accessibility of corneal tissues to the site where it is required the most or in areas of paucity from other sites ensuring equitable distribution has been a big challenge.
What plans and projects do you have for the future to further advance in the field of eye banking and ophthalmology?
I am committed to advancing the development of biosynthetic corneas by persuing research and clinical trials as alternatives to human donor corneas and promoting their universal availability. I also aim to enhance outreach programs and tissue procurement techniques within the eye banking system to ensure better quality corneal tissues, timely processing, and efficient allocation to recipients. Additionally, I strive to provide top-notch training for eye bank technicians, promote standardized eye banking practices worldwide, and ensure equitable distribution of corneas across all regions of the country.Implementing these strategies could significantly reduce the current waiting list for donor corneas. My vision is to create a world where there is zero waiting list for donor corneas and no one suffers from blindness due to corneal issues.
What advice would you give to young ophthalmologists or professionals who want to make a difference in the field of eye banking?
I want to inspire my younger colleagues to focus on developing advanced tissue utilization strategies, improve bioengineered corneas and strengthen the existing eye banking system. I encourage them to trust in their own abilities and the power of teamwork. It’s essential for them to set long-term goals and create actionable plans to combat corneal blindness, leaving a lasting impact on the field for the betterment of the world.
Prof Namrata Sharma, MD, FRCOphth, FRCSEd is Professor of Ophthalmology in Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery services at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. She did her Fellowship from Moorfield’s Eye Hospital in London, UK. She is currently the Chairperson Scientific Committee of All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) and Indian Society of Cornea and Keratorefractive Surgeons (ISCKRS), President of Cornea Society of India (CSI), Vice President of Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI). She is also the member of the Advisory Board of Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and Global Alliance of Eye Bank Associations (GAEBA). She is elected as a member of the Afro-Asian Council of Ophthalmology.
She has 625 publications in international peer reviewed journals, authored 19 books and has 119 book chapters. Her total citations are 16509, H Index: 64 and i10 Index is 350. She has 2 patents and 50 awards to her credit.
She has been honored as one of the 100 most influential female figures in Ophthalmology in the world: the Power List 2021 and is also one of the 1000 Indian Scientists in the list of top 2% scientists in the world by Stanford University. She has been awarded Senior Achievement Award, International Ophthalmologist Education Award, Best Paper and Best of Show Award 6 times by AAO.
She is the first Indian to be inducted as “Director at large” International member in the Cornea Society International of USA. She was awarded as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Ophthalmologists 2022 by the APJO and APAO Senior Achievement Award 2023.
She is also member, Research Committee, APAO and Women in Ophthalmology, APAO and is also the Convenor for the webinars at APAO. She has been awarded Distinguished Service Award, Leadership Award and Senior Achievement Award by APAO.
She is the Brand ambassador for Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society (TFOS-DEWS II) in India. She has conducted many Instruction courses and has been invited faculty at various national and international conferences like AAO, ASCRS, ESCRS, EuCornea, APAO for the last 20 years.