Dr. Perugu Siva Reddy
(Padma Shri 1971, Padma Bhushan 1977 – Medicine)

In the dusty villages and crowded hospitals of Andhra Pradesh, one name became synonymous with the gift of sight: Dr. Perugu Siva Reddy. Born on 12 September 1920 in the village of Dinnedevarapadu in Kurnool district, he rose to become one of India’s most celebrated ophthalmologists and a true people’s doctor.

He completed his MBBS from Madras University in 1946 and specialised with an MS in Ophthalmology from Andhra University in 1952. After early postings as an assistant surgeon in Nandyal and Banaganapalli, and a stint as Assistant Professor at Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, he joined Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad. There he rose to become Professor and Superintendent of the Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, transforming it into a world-class institution with specialised clinics for cornea, retina, glaucoma and orthoptics.

In 1964 he established India’s first eye bank—the T.L. Kapadia Eye Bank. Over his career he organised more than 500 eye camps, bringing cataract surgery and eye care to the rural poor. Known for his extraordinary skill, speed and ambidexterity, he performed over 250,000 cataract operations—an unmatched record. He presented nearly 200 scientific papers at national and international conferences and served as Honorary Surgeon to the President of India for 25 years, as well as Advisor in Ophthalmology to the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

One young surgeon, watching him operate tirelessly in a remote camp under simple conditions, once asked how he maintained such pace and precision.
Siva Reddy smiled and replied, “Every pair of eyes that opens again is a life restored. Speed without care is useless; care without speed leaves too many waiting in darkness. We must give both.”

The Government of India recognised his monumental service with the Padma Shri in 1971 and the Padma Bhushan in 1977. He also received the Dr. B.C. Roy National Award (twice) and numerous other honours. The Regional Eye Hospital in Kurnool was named after him in tribute.

Dr. Perugu Siva Reddy passed away on 6 September 2005 after a heart attack. He left behind not only restored vision for hundreds of thousands but a lasting legacy of community ophthalmology that continues to guide eye-care programmes across India.