Dr. Jaiveer Agarwal: A Life in Ophthalmology and the Legacy of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital

Dr. Jaiveer Agarwal (1930–2009) was an Indian ophthalmologist coming from a family of eye doctors, whose contributions to eye care extended beyond clinical practice into creating awareness against blindness and providing eye care to millions at affordable rates. He started with quite a humble beginning in Chennai to build a largest network of an eye hospital chain in India and spanning African continent. Currently it has more than 250 hospitals in more than 10 countries. He is best remembered as the founder of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital.

Early Life and Education

Jaiveer Agarwal was born in 1930, to Dr. R.S. Agarwal, who was a leading ophthalmologist of the country. After completing his early education, he pursued medicine at Sawai Man Singh Medical (SMS) College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, where he developed a keen interest in ophthalmology. During his training, ophthalmology in India was still evolving as a distinct specialty, and eye diseases such as cataract and corneal infections posed major challenges to public health. Dr. Agarwal’s decision to specialize in ophthalmology was influenced by both the demand for eye care and his interest from his father's legacy. He met his future wife, Dr. Tahira Agarwal at the college, who also ended up as an eye specialist.

Beginning of Practice and the First Hospital

While visiting his parents at an ashram in Puducherry, he passed through Chennai and was captivated by its charm. After some thought, he, along with his wife, Dr. Tahira Agarwal, established their first clinic in Chennai in 1957 with a small amount of investment. This laid the foundation for what would later become the "Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital" chain. He recalled in an interview that he had hardly any instruments for his procedures when he started. But with hard work, he turned it all around. The couple envisioned a practice that combined clinical excellence with patient-centered care.

The first formal hospital was set up in 1976 in Chennai. The hospital was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, who was a regular patient there. The hospital was built in the shape of an eye and found a place in Ripley's Believe It or Not. Unlike most standalone eye clinics of that era, the institution was structured to function as a specialty hospital exclusively for ophthalmology, with modern equipment and training programs.

Medical Contributions

Dr. Agarwal’s was the first to bring to Asia many advanced eye-care. He brought, Refractive Keratoplasty with the Barraquer cryolathe to correct near and far sightedness. He also lead the hospital to many other first in the field of eye surgery, including different types of cataract surgery.

While bringing world class care into India, he also went from village to village to conduct many awareness camps for eye donation and the treatment of corneal blindness, with a special interest in correcting refractive errors among school children. Over the years, the hospital became known for its adoption of innovative techniques, such as:

• Refractive surgery for correction of vision defects.

• Advanced cataract surgery, with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.

• Corneal transplantation and keratoplasty.

• Establishment of eye banks to promote corneal donations.

The institution also became a referral center for complex cases requiring vitreoretinal surgery, ocular oncology, and pediatric ophthalmology.

Growth into a Healthcare Network

From a single unit in Chennai, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital grew steadily. By the 1990s and early 2000s, it had expanded across India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The network later extended into Africa, where access to specialized eye care remained limited.

The institution’s now focusses on training programs and research to serve the field of eyecare globally. The Dr. Agarwal’s Institute of Optometry and training centers have produced many ophthalmologists and optometrists.

Academics and Awards

Dr. Agarwal was actively involved in academic circles. He published research in ophthalmology journals and participated in conferences that shaped the direction of eye care in India.

In 1992, Dr. J Agarwal became the President of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) in the Golden Jubilee conference of the AIOS in Delhi. He also served as the President of Madras City Ophthalmological Association and Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association. Previously, he was the General Secretary of AIOS. The Afro-Asian Ophthalmic Congress was held in Chennai in 1976 under his leadership. He was awarded Lifetime Achievement award by AIOS.

He was also awarded Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award by President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdu Kalam on March 20, 2006.

Social Impact

He was an ardent philanthropist and said to have never turned a patient due to his financial ability/disability. He strongly campaigned to address preventable blindness and conducted outreach programs, eye donation drives, and mobile camps that have helped extend services beyond urban populations to rural communities.

The network’s eye banks, particularly in Chennai, have supported corneal transplants across India. His work contributed to spreading awareness of treatable blindness, particularly cataract-related blindness, which remains a major cause of visual impairment in India. He also helped out young ophthalmologists in opening up practice and kept a cheerful manner always. He was one of those instrumental in getting custom duty exemption for eye instruments with the help of other top leaders of the AIOS so that every doctor could buy eye instruments with tax exemption to bring the eyecare to rural areas.

This commitment aligns with India’s National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), launched in 1976, and the Vision 2020 initiative by the World Health Organization. By integrating with these public health efforts, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals contributed to reducing avoidable blindness at a large scale.

Leadership and Family Legacy

After the passing of his wife, Dr. Tahira Agarwal, on April 13, 2009, he gradually lost his energy and died on November 15, 2009, at the age of 79, after a career spanning five decades. After his passing in 2009, leadership of the hospital network transitioned to his children and senior medical professionals within the group.

His legacy continues through the hospital network that bears his name.

Today, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital chain is not only a treatment center but also a training and research hub, carrying forward the vision of its founder.

References

1. “Dr. Jaiveer Agarwal: The Roots Grow Deep.” Indian Journal of Ophthalmology 71, no. 3 (2023). https://journals.lww.com/ijo/Fulltext/2023/03000/Dr__Jaiveer_Agarwal__The_roots_grow_deep.5.aspx.

2. “Who Are We.” Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital. https://www.dragarwal.com/who-are-we/.

3. “Late Dr. J. Agarwal.” Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital. https://www.dragarwal.com/leaders/late-dr-j-agarwal/.

_MSM