Biography
Dr Muralidhar Ramappa completed his Master’s in Ophthalmology at the Minto Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Bangalore, followed by a long-term fellowship in cornea and anterior segment at LVPEI from 2006 to 2007, subsequently joining the Institute in 2007 as a clinical faculty member.
He also pursued a one-year fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology under the mentorship of Prof Edward M Wilson at the Storm Eye Institute, USA, and a short-term fellowship in pediatric anterior segment with special focus on genetics of anterior segment under Prof Ken Nischal at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, USA.
Later, he pursued an advanced fellowship in refractive surgery and premium intraocular lenses under Dr George Warring IV at Magill Laser Vision Centre, USA, and an observership training programme in lamellar corneal surgery under the mentorship of Dr Francis Price Jr of Price Vision Group, USA.
He is an ardent investigator and has published over 60 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, 12 book chapters in prominent textbooks, and has presented several papers and posters at national and international forums. He serves as a reviewer for several reputed international journals, including Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, British Journal of Ophthalmology (BJO), and the European Journal of Ophthalmology.
He is also an active member of industry bodies like the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society for Cataract and Refractive Surgery, the International Society of Refractive Surgeons, and the All India Ophthalmology Society.
Dr Muralidhar received the Achievement Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 2014 for his noteworthy contribution to the scientific community. He also won the Best Poster Presentation Award at AAO’s annual meeting in 2014 for his work on two decades of experience in congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, particularly in children.
His videos on various lamellar surgeries in children have received rave reviews from the scientific committee of the Academy and were screened exclusively in the learning lounge.
Dr Muralidhar’s areas of interest include the treatment of visual impairment and blindness in children with a special focus on pediatric anterior segment abnormalities, pediatric cataract, corneal infection, and refractive surgery. His interest in corneal grafting in children includes various forms of anterior and posterior lamellar surgeries, pediatric cataract surgery, and advanced intraocular lens implantation in children.
He has developed several innovative surgical strategies in pediatric lamellar keratoplasty and is involved in various research projects in the field of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, congenital corneal anaesthesia, and the use of multifocal intraocular lenses in the pediatric age group.