Page 107 - The Indian Digital Edition September-October 2020

OBITUARY

DR RS GARKAL’S

RICH LEGACY

Leading ophthalmologist and pioneering contact lens specialist Dr RS Garkal passed away in the capital on 19
September 2020 at the age of 96. He will be remembered by innumerable patients and professionals in the field who
benefitted from his skills and knowledge as a brilliant surgeon and eye specialist, and with gratitude for his clinical
diagnoses that on many occasions did away with costly and unnecessary tests and trauma for his patients.

During a career that spanned almost five decades, Dr Garkal also made a great impact through his
path-breaking papers based on intensive research and experience that were presented at home and in the USA, UK,
France, Spain, Germany, South Korea and Japan, among other countries. In addition, he was also sought after for CEPs
in many parts of the world.
Dr Garkal was the recipient of many prestigious awards including for outstanding skill as an eye surgeon by the
American Eye Bank Foundation, California; for assistance towards restoration of human eyesight by the National Eye
Research Foundation, Chicago; and a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Contact Lens Society. The numerous
posts he held included president of the Delhi Ophthalmological Society, founder president of the All India Contact Lens
Society, and representative of the American Eye Bank Foundation in India.

A Fellow of the International College of Surgeons, Dr Garkal followed up his MBBS in Punjab with a DO, RCP&S in
England, and acquired his expertise in contact lenses from the American Eye Bank Foundation, USA.
Dr Garkal established Precision Laboratories of India, the country’s first state-of-the-art contact lens manufacturing
laboratory in New Delhi in 1964, and the first infrastructure for the manufacture of CL solutions and eye care based on
his own extensive research and analysis.

Over 75 trainees from different parts of the world had the privilege of training in contact lens fitting
at his clinic on Hanuman Road. The technicians he trained went on to set up contact lens manufacturing infrastructures
in premier medical colleges and institutions such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Maulana Azad
Medical College in Delhi.
Dr RS Garkal will be fondly remembered by many patients and colleagues both for his vast professional
contributions and his sterling personal qualities. The Indian Optician joins them in offering the deepest condolences to
his wife Neena, daughter Rashma and son Ajaybir.

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