As KnowTheGlow concluded its awareness campaign across Nepal and Tibet, Co-Founder Megan Webber and Director of Global Outreach Helene Dameris had the honor of connecting with one of the region’s most influential voices in pediatric ophthalmology—Dr. Srijana Adhikari of Tilganga Eye Institute in Kathmandu. In a wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Adhikari shared the depth of her work within Nepal and her far-reaching impact in countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana, and soon, Indonesia.
Dr. Adhikari was first introduced to KnowTheGlow through the esteemed Dr. Geoffrey Tabin, but she had already encountered KTG’s materials online. Familiar with the hallmark sign of leukocoria, or “the glow,” she immediately recognized the power of KTG’s visual storytelling—a moment of connection that set a thoughtful and collaborative tone for the exchange.
With nearly two decades of experience in pediatric eye care, Dr. Adhikari has distinguished herself not only as a surgeon and researcher but also as a global trainer and mentor. Her work outside Nepal includes extensive time in Ghana and Ethiopia, where she has trained professionals in pediatric cataract and strabismus surgeries, as well as broader pediatric clinical care and screening practices. She continues to travel frequently in support of regional medical teams and will be heading to Indonesia in September to lecture on pediatric ophthalmology in collaboration with a former trainee who now leads child eye health initiatives in her home country.
At Tilganga Eye Institute, Dr. Adhikari holds multiple roles: surgeon, educator, master trainer, and researcher. She works closely with both local and international fellows and leads a network of school screening programs that reach across Nepal through 12 base hospitals and 22 community centers. Yet, she noted that children under five are often missed in these programs. “These children aren’t in school,” she explained, “so we’ve been working with community health workers to identify signs like redness or a white glow using something as simple as a torchlight.” This approach, she emphasized, offers a low-cost but highly effective method for detecting early signs of vision issues in remote communities.
Her commitment to education extends well beyond clinical training. Tilganga offers schools for optometrists and MLOPs (Mid-Level Ophthalmic Personnel), three-year programs designed to equip students with the tools and knowledge to serve peripheral communities. Dr. Adhikari sees this academic network as an ideal channel for distributing KTG awareness materials and educating future eye care providers on early detection strategies.
She also regularly organizes continuing medical education (CME) programs for pediatric ophthalmologists and optometrists. One such training session was scheduled the same week as her conversation with Webber and Dameris, presenting another timely opportunity to share KTG’s message with a broader audience across Nepal.
In reflecting on her time in Ghana—where KnowTheGlow is preparing to launch a new campaign—Dr. Adhikari spoke of her collaboration with local leaders in pediatric eye care, including Dr. Vera Essuman Dr Dziffa Ofori-Adjei and Dr. Vera Beyuo. Her work there has centered on pediatric cataract surgery, supported by lectures and clinical training focused on screenings and early intervention. She continues to serve as a clinical advisor for Cure Blindness and maintains partnerships with global organizations such as Orbis and the Fred Hollows Foundation.
In addition to the base support provided by the Nepalese government, a great deal of the care for pediatric conditions like cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and retinoblastoma (RB) is made possible through supportive NGOs. Cure Blindness subsidizes many of the pediatric procedures performed, while organizations like Open Eyes Nepal—led by Dr. Purnima Rajkarnikar Sthapit—play a vital role in supporting children with RB.
She acknowledged that post-treatment care remains a significant gap. “We’re trying to strengthen rehabilitation with Fred Hollows,” she said. “There’s not enough support to help children get to schools for the blind or access services after treatment. We hope to improve that in the years ahead.”
Despite the many logistical and financial challenges in Nepal, Dr. Adhikari continues to reach well beyond its borders, sharing her expertise with countries similarly striving to advance pediatric eye care. As Megan Webber reflected at the close of the conversation, “It’s people like you—who push beyond borders while still fighting for the needs at home—who are truly changing the world.”
