About Dr. Daljit Singh
Biography
M.S. (Ophthalmology), 1992: D.Sc. (Honorary)
Born: 11th Oct.1934.
Education: Dr. Daljit was enrolled at Khalsa School. After encouragement from a family member who was a medical doctor, he began studying to become one as well. He was pre-medical at Khalsa College, then graduated in medicine with a MBBS from the Government Medical College, Amritsar in 1956. After receiving his Bachelors of medicine and surgery, he performed a “house job” in ophthalmology and earned an ophthalmic diploma (DOMS). After working for atwo years, he earned a masters degree (MS) in ophthalmology in 1963.
Professional experience: Pharmacology and Physiology teacher: 1.5 years.
In the field of Ophthalmology: 54 years. Rural service 2.5 years. On the faculty of Medical College Amritsar and Patiala: 23 years. Professor emeritus since 1986. Running Daljit Singh Eye Hospital,Amritsar, well known since 1985, where no patient is ever turned away for lack of funds.
Editorial Board
Chief Editor, Tropical Ophthalmology, the journal of Punjab Ophthalmology Society, since 1999.Formerly,Associate Chief Editor, Annals of Ophthalmology (USA).
Ophthalmology
Significant Contributions in the field of Ophthalmology
Refractive Lens Surgery
To treat high refractive errors. Using iris claw lens he was the first in the world to treat phakic high hypermetropes.
The Genetics of Congenital Cataract
Working with Guru Nanak Dev University, he has discovered 9 out of 22 known genes of congenital cataract.
Even at The Age 82 Years
He continued to operate, examine and research for 10 hours, every day of the year before his demise on 27th of December 2017.
3D Still Photography of The Eye (1993)
3D Videography of eye surgery first time in India, since 1995, that he uses for teaching fine points in ophthalmic surgery.
Ophthalmology
Significant Contributions in the field of Ophthalmology
Intraocular Lens Implants
First to introduce lens implantation for cataract cases in India in 1976. Introduced Singh-Worst iris claw lens in 1979, now accepted world wide. It was introduced in the USA, 18 years later. He has the largest experience in the world with iris claw lens. Operated on the President of India in 1985, with this very lens.Trained over 450 eye surgeons from all parts of India with intraocular lens techniques. This brought about lens implant revolution in India.Known as father of implant surgery in India.
Glaucoma
Developed many new techniques of glaucoma surgery.1.Pre-trabecular Filtration (1978), UK Ophthalmology Society.2.Transciliary filtration for intractable glaucoma (1979), Ophthalmology Society of UK, .3.Microtrephine operation for glaucoma. (1986) International Congress of Ophthalmology.4.Trans-ciliary filtration using Fugo plasma knife (2001), 4.Micro-track filtration (2004): Using Fugo blade, it is the least traumatic operation for glaucoma. First in India to use “cross linked sodium hyaluronate”in glaucoma surgery.
Fugo Plasma Blade Applications
He discovered the system of lymphatics (2000), hitherto unknown to the eye surgeons of the world. He charted extensive conjunctival lymphatic system. This was followed by the discovery of channels in the cornea. He also discovered that the so called “lucid interval” in the corneal periphery is actually a lymphatic channel. Now it is “Singh Canal”.
Laser Refractive Surgery
To remove the spectacles number, he was the first to introduce this surgery in India (1991). First in the world to use laser refractive surgery in the young patients (1994). Most experienced in the world to treat high to very high myopia.
Keratoprosthesis
Developed artificial cornea called Singh-Worst keratoprosthesis in 1979. Singh Paralimbal keratoprosthesis technique (1981) This surgery is done in those corneal blind patients, that are unfit for cornea graft surgery.In this field, he and his institution has the largest and longest experience in the world.
Ptosis (Drooping Lids)
The available techniques run the risk of corneal dryness and inability to close the operated eye. He has designed two new techniques that are free from these defects. They are: 1. Orbicularis oculi plication (1996),2. Plication of levator palpebrae superioris from the upper fornix (2004).