Dr Merlin Benzy is an accomplished ophthalmologist with an extensive 8- year tenure in the field. She possesses a profound expertise in the comprehensive management of ocular health.
She is a skilled and experienced surgeon specialized in cataract and anterior segment procedures, known for her safety and high volume of operations.
She achieved her medical qualifications, encompassing an MBBS and MS in Ophthalmology, from The Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore.
There after she has specialised in Anterior Segment and Intraocular Lens (IOL), Microsurgery including Phacoemulsification at the prestigious Aravind Eye Hospitals & Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Pondicherry and continued there as a consultant and surgical trainer for the last 5 years.
She has been a driving force behind various community outreach initiatives, spearheading cataract, diabetic, and paediatric screening camps.
Current position:
Consultant Cataract & Anterior Segment at The Eye Foundation, Bangalore.
Areas of expertise:
Micro Incision Cataract Surgery (MICS): Proficient in Premium IOL including Toric and
Multifocal IOL implantation,
Topical Phacoemulsification,
Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS),
Secondary IOL techniques – Scleral fixation of IOL, Iris claw Lens Implantation and Single
haptic iris fixation of IOL,
Complicated cataract surgery: specialized in handling Traumatic Cataract, Zonular Dialysis,
Absorbed cataract, phacolytic and phacomorphic glaucoma, lens-induced uveitis.
Served as a Consultant in the Department of Cataract and Intraocular Lens (IOL) at the renowned Aravind Eye Hospitals & Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology Services in Pondicherry from 2020 to 2023.
Teaching experience:
She is a teacher and surgical trainer. Her mentorship extends to both national and international trainees, guiding them in the intricacies of MSICS, Phacoemulsification, and complex cataract surgeries. She is regularly delivering lectures for postgraduates, Cataract and IOL fellows, and Mid-Level Ophthalmic Assistants.
Workshop and conferences attended:
All India Ophthalmic Society conference annually
Karnataka Ophthalmic Society Conference
Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Society annual conference
Pondicherry Ophthalmic Association
ISMSICS CCC (Comprehensive Cataract Conference)
Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO)
Professional Membership:
All India Ophthalmological Society.
ISMSICS (The International Society of Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgeo
Awards:
Presented Academic research in both national and international conferences
Poster presentation – A case of pseudotumor cerebri with bilateral lateral rectus palsy in Karnataka Ophthalmic Society Conference in November 2016.
Poster presentation – Importance of distance krimsky test in evaluation of strabismus in comparison with prism bar cover test and krimsky test in Karnataka Ophthalmic Society Conference in November 2016.
Poster presentation – A case of unilateral posterior lenticonus in 66th Annual Conference of Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association - Pudhuvue in August 2018.
Poster presentation - A Postoperative Jam in 4th Biennial world conference on ISMSICS CCC (Comprehensive Cataract Conference) November 2022 @ PGI, Chandigarh, India.
Poster presentation - A Flawless Lash in 4th Biennial world conference on ISMSICS CCC (Comprehensive Cataract Conference) November 2022 @ PGI, Chandigarh, India.
Video presentation - Hula Hoop in ZD (Zonular Dialysis) at in 4th Biennial world conference on ISMSICS CCC (Comprehensive Cataract Conference) November 2022 @ PGI, Chandigarh, India.
Poster presentation - A Flawless Lash at 38th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 2023.
Video presentation - Hula Hoop in ZD (Zonular Dialysis) at 38th Asia- Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February 2023
Publications:
Thesis work entitled “Effect of pterygium excision on corneal astigmatism” under supervision of Prof Balasubramaniyum Aluri in October 2014 at Vydehi Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Bangalore.
Ocular Masquerade syndrome. Tasneem A F, Shwetha B A, Amanpreet Kaur, Merlin Benzy. MedPulse International Medical Journal, ISSN: 2348-2516, EISSN: 2348-1897, Volume 1, Issue 9, September 2014 pg 534-536.
A Unilateral Free Floating Pigmented Vitreous Cyst (A Short Communication). Tasneem AF, Vittal Nayak I, Merlin Benzy, Mohammad Mehdi. Global Journal for Research Analysis. ISSN No 2277 – 8160.Volume-5, Issue-6, June - 2016 pg 384-385.
A case of orbital cellulitis in dengue haemmorhagic fever a short communication. Tasneem AF, Vittal Nayak I, Merlin Benzy, Mohammad Mehdi. International Journal of Scientific Research, Volume: 5, Issue: 9, September 2016.
Effect of Video Counselling Versus Verbal Counselling on Patient's experience during phacoemulsification under topical anaesthesia. Merlin Benzy, Rengaraj Venkatesh, Vivekanandan Vellam Ramakrishnan, Varshini Santhanarajan Odayar. Advances in Ophthalmology Practice and Research, Volume 2, Issue 2, August–September 2022.
Single haptic iris fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lens. Vellam R Vivekanandan, Thamizhselvi Dhanaseelan, Merlin Benzy, Rengaraj Venkatesh, Varshini Odayar. Indian J Ophthalmol, 2023 March 71(3):1016-1020.
A novel transconjunctival, intrascleral, ab-externo, knotless, and double flanged technique with 6-0 Prolene for iridodialysis repair. Vivekanandan Ramakrishnan VR, Venugopal A, Benzy M, Venkatesh R, Ravindran M. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2023 May;71(5):2257-2259.
Academic qualification:
MBBS (2008)
MS Ophthalmology (2014)
Fellowship in Anterior Segment and Intraocular Lens, Microsurgery including Phacoemulsification (2017)
Alcon Advanced Phaco Development Program (2018)
Microinvasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) skill transfer course (2023)
