It was in 1976 when addressing a group of doctors, His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, the Sankaracharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam spoke of the need to create a hospital with a missionary spirit.On the command of His Holiness, Dr. Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath, along with a group of philanthropists founded a charitable not-for-profit eye hospital.One that would bring world-class eye care to the people of India. One that would adopt a single standard of care for all, rich or poor. One that would share the fruits of its knowledge and spread its concept of care to distant parts of this country.

In a solemn function held at the premises of the Vijaya Hospital with Semmangudi Srinivasa Aiyer offering the prayer, Mrs (Dr) T Agarwal inaugurated the project.On the auspicious day of Vinayaka Chaturthi, the sixth day of September in the year 1978, the hospital came into existence. It was named Sankara Nethralaya, which means The Temple of the Eye . The long journey for vision with a mission began.

In 28 years, the hospital has gained international excellence and is acclaimed for its quality care and compassion. Sankara Nethralaya today has grown into a super specialty institution for ophthalmic care and receives patients from all over the country and from abroad. Sankara Nethralaya family today has over 1000 individuals with one vision – to propagate the Nethralaya philosophy; the place of our work is an Alaya and Work will be our worship, which we shall do with sincerity, dedication and utmost love with a missionary spirit.

Sankara Nethralaya has been described by Shri Nani A. Palkivala, an eminent legal expert and former Indian Ambassador to USA, as the Best Managed Charitable Organization in India . Sir Ratan Tata Trust has observed Sankara Nethralaya as a High Performing Knowledge Institution – mission driven, a proven track record, acknowledged nationally and internationally for its expertise and excellence in Ophthlmic care with almost all eye sub-specialities, good management systems, a vibrant set of human resources and a participative system of decision-making.

On an average, 1200 patients walk through our doors and 100 surgeries are performed every day. In our journey for excellence, we have received many awards and appreciation of our efforts. And we still have a long way to go.