Women in Ophthalmology

History, Challenges and

Opportunities
Dr. Vidushi Sharma, MD (AIIMS), FRCS (Edin)
SuVi Eye Institute &
Lasik Laser Center,
Kota, Rajasthan, India
Phone:+91 935 1412449
Website: www.suvieye.com
E-mail:suvieye@gmail.com
DEDICATED TO
ALL WOMEN DOCTORS/
OPHTHALMOLOGISTS
WORLDWIDE
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
New topic!
I guess youre reluctant to accept
that it almost seems like an excuse
saying that its anything to do with
your gender
Would have been taboo 25 years ago
Sessions at major ophthalmic meets
focussing on women
More networking among women
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Brief Difficult History- India
Anandi Bai Joshi
Born 31 March
1865, Kalyan,
Bombay, India
Died February 26,
(aged 21)
Pune, Bombay
Presidency,
British India

Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Brief, difficult history

Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Medical Education for women in
India
First made available at Madras, then
Calcutta Medical college and then
Grant Medical College
1916 Lady Harding
One of the first female doctors in the
world Mary Scharlieb, graduated from
Madras Medical College in 1878, when
women were not allowed in medical
colleges in UK
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
7
Dr James Barry
It was at the
University of
Edinburgh that a
bizarre story is
set. The Medical
Faculty was where
the late James
Barry began his,
or rather her,
medical training as
early as 1812.
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Brief History
Elizabeth Blackwell trained at the
Charleston Medical School in New
York. In 1849, she became the first
woman to become a modern doctor.
She still faced opposition and was
barred from working at the New York
City Hospitals, so in 1857 she set up
her own practice, staffed entirely by
women.
8
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was the first
British woman to qualify as a doctor. In
1874 she established the London School
of Medicine for Women. In 1876 an Act
of Parliament was passed which
permitted women to enter all of the
medical professions.
Right to vote came in early twentieth
century!!
9
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Women in Ophthalmology
Isabel Hayes Chapin Barrows (1845
1913) was the first woman to practice
ophthalmology in the United States,
as well as the first woman appointed
to a medical school faculty
In India, we have had many stalwarts
like Dr. V. Kalevar, Prof. Anita Panda,
Dr. Sudha Sutaria
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Women in Ophthalmology
Increasing number of women among
ophthalmology residents
Yet, very few women at the very top
A problem for many women is re-
entering the workforce on full-time
basis after taking a career break for
caring commitments
Ophthalmology much better than
other branches

Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Barriers to reaching the top
Networking and marketing yourself
Men are perceived to be more career
oriented, ambitious and able to
negotiate the system, whilst women
are less assertive
Where women are seen to be more
assertive and career-minded, they are
considered scary, whilst focused
denotes the same qualities in a man.


Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Success
Success may mean different things to
different people. For women, it is
more about striking the right balance
between work and family
Also important are respect and trust
of patients and job satisfaction
Women
Provide longer consultations
Offer more counseling

Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Skills Needed
1. Plan for a successful career path.
2. Recognize that competition does exist.
3. Keep going and develop confidence.
4. Possess courage and determination to
go ahead, even when faced with
problems.
5. Learn to delegate effectively.
6. Marketing and packaging in the
present day are unavoidable
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Skills Needed
Keep timings suitable, but be more
productive in that time
Avoid guilt
Be supportive of female juniors
Get the right husband!!
In the end, do what you are
comfortable with, your happiness is
all that matters.
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Summary
It is very much possible to reach the
top in ophthalmology in todays world
Good training, taken before the
beginning of family commitments
However, stick to your own definition
of success, do not feel pressured
Women may not bond late nights
over a glass of wine, but they do
bring different, valuable sensibilities
Dr Vidushi Sharma
www.suvieye.com
Women in Ophthalmology
History, Challenges and
Opportunities
Dr. Vidushi Sharma, MD (AIIMS), FRCS (Edin)
SuVi Eye Institute &
Lasik Laser Center,
Kota, Rajasthan, India
Phone:+91 935 1412449
Website: www.suvieye.com
E-mail:suvieye@gmail.com
The quest for balance lacks the
notion that life is to be given to
something bigger than
ourselves.