Successful entrepreneurs have one thing in common — they all have a vision to take their businesses to the next level and make a difference. But Dr Kasu Prasad Reddy is slightly different from them. He not only had a vision to contribute to the nation by establishing Maxivision Eye Hospitals in Hyderabad but give people of all age groups freedom from eyeglasses and provide them with better vision.
With over 45,000 successful laser surgical procedures spread across 30 years of active practice to his credit, Dr Reddy, founder and co-chairman of Maxivision is one of the foremost laser-assisted eye surgery experts in India. He was born in Bikkavolu village of East Godavari in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh.
He was brought up at Narasaraopet. He studied in Sainik School of Korukonda in Vizianagaram. His father Kasu Vengala Reddy served as a Member of Parliament whose brother Kasu Brahmananda Reddy served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh between 1964 and 1971.
“My schooling in Sainik School gave me military discipline. I have travelled a lot in my life that gave me valuable experiences,” he says. Qualified from Guntur Medical College, Dr Reddy accomplished his MS in General Surgery from Stanley Medical college of Chennai. Having started out as a General Surgeon, he left India for the UK in 1978.
After four years of Orthopedics and Accident & Emergency, followed by one year of Neurosurgery, in 1983, he eventually chose Ophthalmology as his specialty at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
He then went on to achieve Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from Dublin in 1985 and attained MRC (Ophtho) from London in 1986. “Being a comprehensive ophthalmologist, I learnt every aspect of ophthalmology. Interestingly in the UK, I was well trained under two experts with Indian origin,” he added.
Dr Reddy who served the National Health Service in the UK, also started the first Excimer Laser centre called the ‘Corneal Laser Centre’ (now known as the ‘Ultralase Centre’ of the UK) but not before he added Aviation Medicine along with a British Pilot Licence in 1990 to his skills. “I not only learnt Excimer technique but later I also invested in this technology,” he informed.
In 1991, he became the first Indian to be appointed as the Authorized Medical Examiner for Civil Aviation Authority from Gatwick Airport, London. Dr Reddy also has the distinction of conducting 4,000 PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy) during his time in the UK and was the first to introduce the LASIK (Laser-Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) at St James’s University Hospital, Leeds in1995.
“I introduced LASIK in India for the first time in 1996. Several millions of LASIK procedures had been so far conducted in India by different institutions. And I later on kept looking for new technologies. I also brought a unique lens for people whom LASIK may not suit. I brought this technology from Holland.
The need and expectations of patients led me to look for best technologies and solutions from around the world for them. In ophthalmology, success of the treatment or surgery is defined by the patient and you can’t leave them unhappy,” he added.
As a result of his efforts, Cataract surgery combined with the Micro Incisional Cataract Surgery (MICS, using the Stellaris machine), has become the ultimate ‘blade-free’ surgery.
He moved to India and started Maxivision Eye Hospitals in 1996. Dr Reddy believes that people in India are open to new technologies. According to him, conversion from blade to blade-free LASIK and the huge interest shown in the Laser Refractive Cataract Surgery are the best evidences.
Maxivision for the last 23 years had been providing diagnostics, treatment and surgeries in the ophthalmic space. With 11 hospitals in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, it has treated over 24 lakh patients and conducted over 3 lakh surgeries.
It is the first in the world to conduct a clinical research on Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery. Dr GSK Velu joined the organisation as the strategic investor in 2011 becoming the chairman of the hospital. The company is now looking for further expansion with more hospitals in south.
He believes in constant research & development and has been a pioneer in introducing technological advancements. He was the first Indian to research and introduce Victus, a 100 per cent hands-free cataract surgery technology. Dr Reddy is also investing in a unique energy storage technology and is supporting several technology innovators both in healthcare and non-healthcare. #KhabarLive
