Against the Grain
Why We Left the USA to Build Mumbai's First Dedicated Oculoplastics Centre
Eight years ago, we packed up our lives in Los Angeles and made a decision that left many of our peers and senior colleagues completely bewildered.
We had just finished a life-changing stint at UCLA, completing extensive training in Oculoplastic surgery at one of the world's premier eye institutes. We were standing at a professional crossroads. We could have easily stayed back in the United States to build comfortable, predictable careers. Instead, we booked a one-way ticket home to establish Mumbai Eye Plastic Surgery (MEPS).
We didn't just want to start another eye clinic. We wanted to build an exclusive, one-of-a-kind superspeciality centre in Pali Hill, Bandra dedicated entirely to Oculoplastics.
At the time, our medical community had one overriding question for us: “How will you survive without performing cataract surgeries?”
Eight years later, we have our answer.
They told us a niche practice couldn't sustain itself in a city as competitive as Mumbai.
— Our Seniors
The Journey
The Road Less Traveled: An Underserved Specialty
Back then, Oculoplastics was a heavily underserved and misunderstood speciality.
If a patient suffered from a complex eyelid tumor, a severe orbital fracture from trauma, or wanted a cosmetic blepharoplasty to restore their youthful gaze, they were stuck in a frustrating healthcare loop. They were forced to bounce between general ophthalmologists—who primarily focused on the inner eyeball—and general plastic surgeons, who lacked micro-surgical training for the delicate structures surrounding the eye. Many a times they would be redirected to institutes in the south of India.
The eyes require a precise blend of micro-surgical function and aesthetic artistry. We knew that Mumbai's patients deserved world-class, focused care right here at home. But to provide that, we had to do something radical: drop general ophthalmology entirely and commit 100% to our niche.
"No Cataracts? You Won't Survive."
In the ophthalmic world, cataract surgery is the bread and butter of almost every practice. It is high-volume, highly predictable, and financially steady. When we announced that our new centre would strictly reject general cases to focus only on eyelids, orbits, lacrimal systems, and ocular aesthetics, the skepticism from our seniors was palpable.
They warned us that the market wasn't ready. They told us a niche practice couldn't sustain itself in a city as competitive as Mumbai.
It was a massive gamble. But we believed in our training, we believed in our vision, and most importantly, we believed in the desperate need for specialized care.
Eight Years Later: Proving the Sceptics Wrong
Today, as we look back on an eight-year milestone, we can safely say we proved the doubters wrong. What started as a risky, niche dream has evolved into a thriving, trusted hub for patients not just from Mumbai, but from all over the country. By refusing to compromise on our specialization, we became the team that other doctors send their most complex cases to.
We have spent the last eight years delivering care at par with American standards:
Aesthetic Transformations
Delivering natural, balanced facial rejuvenation through Upper & Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty, brow lifts, Botox, and fillers.
Restoring Vital Functions
Correcting Eyelid Ptosis (drooping), fixing Entropion/Ectropion malpositions, and performing DCR surgeries for watery eyes.
Complex Reconstructions
Managing severe Thyroid Eye Disease (orbital decompression), custom artificial eye fittings, and saving lives through meticulous Eye Cancer treatments.
The Vision Ahead
Leaving the comforts of a developed country was a leap of faith. Dropping cataract surgery felt like jumping without a safety net. But looking at the lives, smiles, and confidence we have helped restore over the past eight years, we wouldn't change a single thing.
We built Mumbai Eye Plastic Surgery to bridge a gap. Eight years in, we are just getting started.
