World’s Best Pterygium Surgeon, Dr. Gulani
Mirror, Mirror… The Day-One Test I Created 30 Years Ago.
World’s Best Pterygium Surgeon, Dr. Gulani, shares his story.
Redefining Pterygium Surgery from Day One
Over three decades ago, as a young resident still in training, I stood by the same conviction and foresight that drives me today: Pterygium surgery must be more than just a medical excision. I declared it should have a Cosmetic and Refractive approach — a philosophy that would not only restore eye health but also deliver beauty, confidence, and sharper vision.
This bold vision led to one of my earliest publications:
📄 Gulani A et al. Simultaneous Pterygium and Cataract Surgery. J Postgrad Med. 1995;41(1):8-11. PMID: 10740692.
From the very beginning, I refused to see pterygium removal as simply cutting out “red eyes.” Instead, I wanted patients with pterygium, pinguecula, chronic irritation, or dry eyes to look into the mirror the very next day and see eyes that were sparkling white, pain-free, and visually enhanced.
Thus, I created the Day-One Mirror Test. It was not just innovation — it was the highest level of surgeon accountability. Patients themselves, standing in front of their own reflection, would be the ultimate judges of their outcome. Though there are no guarantees for outcomes given each patient’s unique healing abilities, I wanted surgeons to be accountable to at least aim that high for every patient.
Building a Global Standard: Research, Publications & Instruments
That philosophy did not remain an idea; it became a lifetime mission. Over the next decades, I:
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Published one of the largest global Pterygium studies — over 600 eyes with 16 years of follow-up (and now extending to 22 years).
🔬 Gulani AC, Gulani AA. Cosmetic Pterygium Surgery: Techniques and Long-Term Outcomes. Clin Ophthalmol. 2020;14:1681-1687. -
Designed and shared surgical instruments and protocols at worldwide conferences, ensuring surgeons could replicate safe, cosmetic, and refractive outcomes.
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Authored a textbook alongside illustrious colleagues from across the globe:
📖 Gulani AC. The Art of Pterygium Surgery. Thieme Medical Publishers.
Each step was taken to raise standards. I wanted the world to see that pterygium and pinguecula surgery should not leave disfiguring scars or painful recoveries. Instead, it should be a premium surgical experience — combining health, aesthetics, and vision.
Inspiration, Amniotic Membranes & Raising the Bar
Beautiful, transparent and full of positive rejuvenation power, human placenta, Amniotic Membranes inspired me to raise the bar further. Incorporating amniotic membrane tissue allowed me to create a No-Stitch Amniotic Technique that eliminated redness, sped healing, and gave patients cosmetic results previously thought impossible.
This became more than surgery — it became an Art form. Patients suffering from dry eyes, redness, irritation, or pinguecula growths were no longer resigned to a medical “fix.” Instead, they could expect to wake up to an eye that looked and felt beautiful.
As I continue to teach worldwide, I remind surgeons: Even if a patient does not achieve the absolute ideal outcome, we must commit to striving for this highest level of performance — every single time.
Three Decades Later: The Legacy of a Mirror Test
Today, over 30 years later, that simple conviction continues to transform lives globally. Patients who once suffered from chronic red eyes, dry eye symptoms, and vision distortion from pterygium or pinguecula now undergo surgery and walk up to the mirror the very next day with a smile.
The Day-One Mirror Test still defines my work. It proves that surgery is not only about sight — it is about confidence, appearance, and quality of life.
This is not just history — it is living proof of how a young eye surgeon’s Vision and Conviction led to a global legacy.
Dr. Gulani’s over 3 Decades of Pterygium surgery Publications
Gulani AC. The ART of Pterygium Surgery. Textbook of Eye Surgery. 1st ed. Thieme Medical Publishers. Stuttgart, Germany.
Gulani AC, Gulani AA. Cosmetic Pterygium Surgery: Techniques and Long-Term Outcomes. Clin Ophthalmology. 2020; 14:1681-1687
Gulani AC, Gulani AA, Stonecipher K. Pterygium removal. Textbook of Eye Surgery. Wolters Kluwer. 2023; 31. 543-558.
Gulani AC. Raising the bar for Premium Pterygium surgery. Ophthalmology Times. 2021; 46.
Gulani AC. Gulani Iceberg Technique. Cataract & Refractive Surgery Today Europe.2014;9(3):48-49.
Gulani, AC. A Cornea-Friendly Pterygium Procedure. Review of Ophthalmology, 52-56; June 2012
Gulani, AC. Pterygium and Pinguecula Surgery: Next Day Cosmetic Outcomes (The Future of Ocular Surface Surgery): In Textbook – Surgical and Medical Management of Pterygium. JP Publishers 2009; 25:130-142
Gulani AC. “No-Stitch Pterygium Surgery: Next Day Cosmetic Outcomes” Video Journal of Ophthalmology. 2009
Gulani, AC. Sutureless Amniotic Surgery for Pterygium: Cosmetic Outcomes for Ocular Surface Surgery. Techniques in Ophthalmology. 6(2):41-44, 2008.
Gulani A. Sutureless Amniotic Graft Surgery for Pterygium: Next day cosmetic outcomes. Video Journal of Ophthalmology. Article VII, 2008.
Gulani AC. Surgical method sets higher standard for managing pterygium. Ocular Surgery News. Consultation Section, Aug. 2008
Gulani AC. “Corneoplastique: Art of Laser Vision Surgery”- Corneal Refractive Surgery in Video Atlas of Ophthalmic Surgery. XXXVIII. (2) 2008
Gulani AC. Combined corneal scar excision, PRK surgery seeks unaided emmetropia. Ocular Surgery News. Cornea & External disease section, June. 2008.
Gulani AC. Principles of Surgical Treatment of Irregular Astigmatism in Unstable Corneas. Textbook of Irregular Astigmatism. Diagnosis and Treatment. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK Incorporated; 2007:251-261
Gulani, AC. Excimer Laser PRK and Corneal Scars: Refractive Surgery to the Rescue. Surgical Techniques in Ophthalmology Corneal Surgery. JP Publishers 2009; 15:93-96
Gulani AC. Corneoplastique. Techniques in Ophthalmology 5(1):11-20, 2007
Gulani AC. “Corneoplastique” Video Journal of Ophthalmology. III. 2007
Gulani AC. “A New Concept for Refractive Surgery”. Ophthalmology Management 2006; 10 (4). 57-63
Gulani AC. “Corneoplastique” Video Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Vol XXII. Issue 3, 2006.
Gulani AC. Amniotic membrane lowers chance of pterygium recurrence- Ophthalmology Times. Sept 15th. 2003
Gulani AC. Simultaneous pterygium and cataract surgery. J Postgrad Med 1995;41:8-11.
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