As KnowTheGlow (KTG) recently concluded its awareness campaign in Nepal, Co-Founder Megan Webber reflected on one of the most impactful conversations—her interview with Dr. Purnima Rajkarnikar Sthapit of the Tilganga Eye Hospital in Kathmandu, the only hospital in Nepal with a dedicated ocular oncology department. Notably, it was during this call with Dr. Rajkarnikar several years ago that KnowTheGlow began to rethink its global strategy. She shared her appreciation for KTG’s awareness materials but gently pointed out that the images did not reflect the children she saw in her clinic. Her insight sparked a transformational shift—one that led KTG to begin developing customized, culturally relevant content and language-specific campaigns for each country it hoped to reach. In many ways, Dr. Rajkarnikar’s thoughtful honesty helped launch KnowTheGlow’s international journey.
Dr. Rajkarnikar was the first ophthalmologist in the country to be formally trained in ocular oncology, having completed a fellowship in Retinoblastoma at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. This opportunity, organized by the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and sponsored by the KAKS Foundation in Germany, marked a turning point in pediatric eye cancer care in Nepal. Prior to her training, no physician at Tilganga specialized exclusively in eye cancer treatment.
When Dr. Rajkarnikar first began seeing retinoblastoma cases, many children were subjected to immediate enucleation of the eye due to a lack of established protocols for eye-saving treatments. Recognizing the need for change, she began developing treatment pathways based on global best practices, ultimately building an effective system for delivering more advanced care. Today, she treats approximately 50–60 new patients each year, in addition to managing follow-up care for 300–400 ongoing cases. Her patient population extends beyond Nepal’s borders, with families from nearby Indian districts also seeking her expertise.
While treatment itself can be costly, Dr. Rajkarnikar explained that the greatest financial strain often stems from associated expenses—transportation, lodging, lost wages, and food—during the typical 6 to 12 months of therapy. Tilganga Eye Hospital does not have inpatient wards, which means children requiring chemotherapy must be referred to Kanti Children’s Hospital, located 5 kilometers away, while those with orbital retinoblastoma must be sent to another facility for radiation. Despite this decentralized system, Dr. Rajkarnikar meticulously oversees each child’s care across institutions. Her commitment has led to sight-saving outcomes for many of her patients, including over a dozen children who were spared unnecessary enucleation in recent years.
Dr. Rajkarnikar also addressed a major gap in Nepal’s current vision screening programs. While school-aged children are regularly screened for refractive errors, those in the 0–5 age group—where early identification of glow-related conditions is most critical—are often overlooked. She noted that social media, however, remains a powerful tool, even in rural villages outside Kathmandu, with many families actively using platforms like Facebook. This digital connectivity made it possible for KTG to reach families throughout the country with its early detection messaging during the recent campaign.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Rajkarnikar is the Founder and President of Open Eyes Nepal, an NGO committed to providing equitable and high-quality pediatric eye care. The organization’s mission is “to build awareness and save lives of children suffering from Retinoblastoma, by collaborating with various stakeholders and through equitable service delivery.” With a strong focus on underserved communities, Open Eyes Nepal leads educational outreach, supports early diagnosis, and helps remove logistical and financial barriers to treatment. By partnering with hospitals, NGOs, and national institutions, the foundation is building a sustainable framework to ensure that no child is denied care because of their location or circumstances. Through this initiative, Dr. Rajkarnikar has extended her reach far beyond Tilganga, advocating for a future where every child in Nepal has access to life-saving vision care.
KnowTheGlow applauds Dr. Rajkarnikar’s tireless commitment to pediatric eye health and her innovative, compassionate approach to treatment. The KTG Nepal team is deeply grateful for her leadership and looks forward to continued collaboration in guiding more families to her expert care and spreading awareness about the importance of early detection.
