Dr Sirisha Senthil from Hyderabad becomes third Indian to deliver Noel Rice Lecture in London

London/Hyderabad: Dr Sirisha Senthil from Hyderabad, head of the VST Centre for Glaucoma Care at LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), is the third Indian to deliver the Noel Rice Lecture 2026 in London.

Championing personalised medicine

At the UK Paediatric Glaucoma Society (UKPGS) annual meeting, Dr Senthil championed a shift away from ‘one-size-fits-all’ treatments. She argued that the future of saving children’s sight lies in personalised medicine—tailoring care to a child’s unique genetics, eye structure and even their family’s social situation.

Her presentation ‘Shaping the Future of Paediatric Glaucoma: A Journey towards Personalisation and Hope’ is based on the cases she has seen in the Indian context.

What is pediatric glaucoma?

Pediatric glaucoma is a complex condition that can lead to lifelong blindness if not managed correctly. Traditionally, doctors followed rigid surgical ‘checklists’ which don’t provide a complete treatment based on the child.

Dr Senthil’s work at LVPEI proves that a more flexible, individualised approach, especially in resource-limited settings like India, leads to better long-term results.

“Every child presents a unique combination of genetic predisposition and disease behaviour,” Dr Senthil explained. “Our goal is not just controlling eye pressure for a day but preserving vision for decades so these children can lead normal lives.”

Innovation despite challenges

Dr Senthil highlighted that in India, many children arrive at the clinic with advanced disease or after failed surgeries. She emphasised that ‘personalisation’ doesn’t always require expensive technology. Instead, it involves:

1. Genetic Testing: Using DNA to understand the why behind the disease and screen siblings.

2. Smart Technology: Using AI to help detect glaucoma early in areas where specialists are rare.

3. Strategic Restraint: Knowing when to perform surgery and when to wait, ensuring treatments last a lifetime.

Who is Dr Sirisha Senthil?

Dr Sirisha Senthil is a world-renowned expert in refractory glaucoma (cases that are difficult to treat) and drainage implants. She heads the Glaucoma Services at LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad.

With an experience of over 22 years in both clinical and surgical eye care, she is an expert in pediatric care. She completed her MS at Aravind Eye Hospital and earned her FRCS from Edinburgh. A prolific scientist, she has published over 179 research papers and is a leading trainer for young surgeons worldwide.

With this recognition, she joins an elite group of Indian doctors, including Dr Anil Kumar Mandal (who delivered the 2019 lecture), to be recognised by the UKPGS for pioneering work in childhood blindness.