In the fight against childhood cancers, few figures have done more to reshape the clinical and cultural landscape of ocular oncology in India than Dr. Santosh Honavar, and few are better poised to carry that mission forward globally than his protégé, Dr. Rolika Bansal. Together, their stories reflect a powerful continuum—one of vision, mentorship, and a shared commitment to ensuring no child loses their sight or life due to late diagnosis.
When Dr. Honavar began his career at AIIMS in New Delhi, the field of ocular oncology in India was virtually nonexistent. In 2000, after completing his fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital under Drs. Jerry and Carol Shields, he returned to India with a vision to build a national system for diagnosing and treating eye cancers, starting from scratch.
Dr. Honavar established India’s first dedicated ocular oncology department at LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad. His expertise extended well beyond the clinical space as an academician and a leader. He coordinated chemotherapy pathways, orbital retinoblastoma protocols, introduced intra-arterial chemotherapy in India, introduced plaque brachytherapy in India, collaborated with India’s Bhabha Atomic Research Centre to develop the first domestically manufactured radiation plaque, and built the multidisciplinary infrastructure needed to support patients throughout their journey while providing state-of-the-art facility with recent advances.
But perhaps his most impactful contribution has been his strategy for providing care on a national scale. Recognizing the vast regional disparities across India, Dr. Honavar personally mentored more than 90 fellows, each strategically placed in underserved regions, from the North to South and West to East, to ensure that every area of the country would eventually have access to specialized care. Today, many of the country’s leading ocular oncologists are among his former trainees. Through his vision, India now has a network of trained experts, each building local capacity and advancing care in their communities. Dr. Honavar currently leads ocular oncology and oculoplasty services at Centre for Sight in Hyderabad, where he remains a driving force behind patient care innovation and international collaboration.
Dr. Rolika Bansal’s journey in ocular oncology began under the mentorship of Dr. Honavar in 2020. During her tenure in Hyderabad, she quickly became an integral part of both the clinical and advocacy arms of patient care. Along with Dr. Honavar she partnered with organizations such as Iksha Foundation and CanKids, helping to spread awareness, support families, and expand the reach of educational campaigns.
Keen to deepen her expertise, Dr. Bansal pursued two additional fellowships abroad, one in ocular oncology with Dr. Carol L. Shields in Wills Eye Institute, Philadelphia, and the other in oculofacial and reconstructive surgery with Dr. Don O. Kikkawa and Dr. Bobby S. Korn in San Diego. These international experiences have broadened her skill set while reinforcing her dedication to comprehensive and multidisciplinary care.
In 2025, Dr. Bansal returned to Jaipur, Rajasthan, where she established ocular oncology and oculoplasty services with all the recent advances in a region requiring specialized ocular oncology services. In doing so, she has expanded Dr. Honavar’s original vision: creating a self-sustaining network of specialists committed not only to treatment but to patient education, psychological support, and public awareness. In addition to her clinical expertise, Dr. Bansal is deeply passionate about patient advocacy, research and academics.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Honavar and Dr. Bansal re-established treatment continuity for retinoblastoma patients at a time when clinical visits had dropped to zero by reaching out to families, coordinating follow-up care, and offering reassurance during times of fear and uncertainty. Their team bridged a critical gap in care and saw firsthand the emotional toll that pediatric cancers places on families.
Dr. Bansal’s insight into patient psychology, health equity, and social support aligns powerfully with KnowTheGlow’s mission. In conversations with our team, she has already offered valuable perspective on how to make our awareness materials more relatable and impactful for families navigating uncertainty. Her firsthand knowledge of family dynamics, cultural sensitivities, and the treatment journey gives her a unique ability to identify and connect with parents who may be eager to share their stories.
As KnowTheGlow expands its storytelling and global ambassador initiatives, Dr. Bansal’s role as a connector between families, clinicians, and advocacy groups, presents an exciting opportunity. She has offered to help identify families who are passionate about sharing their journey, as well as colleagues across India and beyond whose perspectives and experiences could enrich our educational efforts.
We are excited about the tremendous potential in collaborating with Dr. Honavar, whose decades of leadership and advocacy have helped shape the field not only in India, but internationally. His insights on the evolution of ocular oncology, lessons learned over decades of capacity building, and his vision for the future would be invaluable in shaping our own strategies as we aim to support early detection and awareness in countries facing similar systemic challenges.
At KnowTheGlow, we are thrilled by the prospect of working alongside both Dr. Honavar and Dr. Bansal, amplifying their work, supporting their patients, and bringing forward stories and strategies that can empower families and frontline health workers around the world.
Their leadership, rooted in compassion, science, and relentless commitment, is helping to turn the tide on preventable childhood blindness. With partners like them, the future of early detection and global pediatric vision health shines even brighter.
