Saras Ramanathan

MD

Division Chief, Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Ophthalmologist
Cataract surgery specialist

Dr. Saras Ramanathan is an ophthalmologist who provides comprehensive ocular care. She specializes in surgery for cataracts, particularly complex cases. She is passionate about her goal of restoring and preserving sight in each and every patient.

Ramanathan is equally passionate about teaching what she knows to other physicians. She is a nationally recognized medical educator. Her publications on methods of teaching cataract surgery as well as on training with surgical simulation have influenced the way surgical ophthalmology is taught in the U.S. today. She directs UCSF's residency program in ophthalmology, and she continually strives for excellence in resident education. She has received numerous teaching awards and feels further rewarded by her former students' success and achievements.

Ramanathan earned her medical degree from the University of Washington. She then completed a residency in ophthalmology at the University of Chicago.

Ramanathan is a fellow of both the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

  • Education

    University of Washington, 1992

  • Residencies

    University of Chicago, Ophthalmology, 1996

  • Board Certifications

    Ophthalmology, American Board of Ophthalmology

  • Academic Title

    Professor

  • Languages

    French

    Hindi

    Tamil

Caring for patients and mentoring young physicians make it a pleasure to come to work every day.

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.9

    Overall Experience
    337 Ratings
    About our process
    Feb 15, 2023
    Excellent
    Feb 11, 2023
    Perfectly coordinated clinic. Excellent talent and treatment.
    Jan 26, 2023
    Always answers my questions and explains in depth...makes sure I understand
    Jan 23, 2023
    Dr. Ramanathan is incredible but her staff needs to communicate more with the patients if she is delayed and offer other options
    Jan 21, 2023
    Excellent physician
    Jan 21, 2023
    Her CV as peaks gif itself. She is extraordinary in all regards. She should be cloned times s million!!
    Jan 21, 2023
    Ucsf is amazing
    Jan 14, 2023
    Dr. Ramanathan is an excellent doctor.
    Jan 11, 2023
    I was originally seen in the Parnassus ER by a member of this practice and she referred me to this practice for follow-up. I was very pleased both by the ER treatment and the follow-up. Both physicians were excellent in their attention to details in my treatment and in their caring attitudes.
    Dec 27, 2022
    Very good and thoughtful care throughout cataract surgery experience and followup care.
    Dec 20, 2022
    I had no problem with the care provider shes not the one that schedules the appointments. I am selfishly saying I wont recommend the care provider because I dont want to make it more difficult to get an appointment. RE care providers care yes I would recommend provider.
    Dec 07, 2022
    I asked a lot of questions! everything was very well explained
    Dec 03, 2022
    I would not recommend anybody in the UCSF system because the administration is so poor and disorganized.
    Nov 30, 2022
    My care provider was very helpful & excellent
    Nov 23, 2022
    Dr. R is a pro.
    Nov 19, 2022
    Very professional personable and knowledgeable
    Nov 16, 2022
    Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful literally only complaint is the 3 hour wait
    Nov 11, 2022
    Exceptionally best!Showed great care empathy to her patients.Make me feel relaxed and calm throughout the procedure without me taking any sedation.Big Thank You!
    Nov 08, 2022
    Dr Ramanathan is a fabulous provider. Highly competent knowledgeable down to earth energetic warm and one of a kind
    Nov 05, 2022
    Highly recommended! Very respectful and professional!
    Nov 01, 2022
    Dr. Ramanathan is wonderful.
    Sep 21, 2022
    There was a lot of examination of my eyes but very little explanation and no new Rx for glasses the diagnosis of glaucoma was in my after visit notes but no one mentioned it at the visit or how bad it is.
    Sep 17, 2022
    Good
    Sep 09, 2022
    Wonderful!
    Sep 03, 2022
    I have always been impressed with the care expertise and kindness of this doctor. She is a phenomenal asset to UCSF and the patients you treat.
    Sep 03, 2022
    I appreciate her thoroughness.
    Sep 03, 2022
    Dr. Ramanathan is a wonderful doctor. It is a shame that she is overbooked and very busy.
    Aug 03, 2022
    Excellent care v
    Jul 24, 2022
    Dr. Ramanathan is outstanding. I feel fortunate to have her as my ophthalmologist.
    Jul 20, 2022
    Long wait for my care provider
    Jun 07, 2022
    Dr. Ramanathan seems fine but due to having to reschedule the visit felt rushed. I told her assistant (resident?) and her that I needed to have the cancelled surgery asap due to changing insurance at my impending retirement date but that wasn't discussed and when I was called later the dates were not feasible -- the last surgery is 2 days before my insurance changes. I felt there could be more consideration of my concerns about the type of lens for the surgery-- I was confused when she told me the prescription was worse than she felt comfortable with -- but the meeting was over so I didn't understand what that meant in terms of my own eyesight. Generally it felt rushed -- and after waiting over 2 hours I was a bit stressed.
    May 06, 2022
    Excellent throughout
    Mar 29, 2022
    Generally satisfied with visit.
    Mar 18, 2022
    The care provider is very good but because of extra long waiting times I would not recommend the practice
    Mar 02, 2022
    My provider Dr Ramanathan is very good!
    Feb 27, 2022
    I have been seeing Dr.Ramanathan for more than 1 year. She is a first class doctor and a very pleasant person .
    Jan 20, 2022
    She was excellent and spent a lot of time with me explaining the problem and options to my husband and myself.
    Jan 19, 2022
    Medical care was excellent. Very thorough.
    Jan 15, 2022
    Really felt like she listened to me and helped me consider treatment options with informed choice not pressure. With my blurry dilated eyes I especially appreciated her over going all the paragraphs in the consent form.
    Jan 15, 2022
    Great experience. Knowledge of patient needs and care. Making a easy appointment for the day
    Jan 06, 2022
    Never got to see her!
    Jan 03, 2022
    Dr. Ramanathan is the epitome of kind and gracious caregiving she is thoughtful and gentle in person and extremely knowledgable about what I needed. She called me a couple of times outside of scheduled appointments to make sure that I was okay and to ensure that my other medical procedures went well so as not to interfere with her care. Though she is a very skilled specialist her concern for me as a whole person is something I appreciate and makes her standout as a surgeon. I wish there were more words I could use to describe her excellence and compassion.
    Dec 08, 2021
    Dr R excellent job
    Oct 21, 2021
    Excellent service
    Sep 14, 2021
    Again. Dr Ramanathan is great. However waiting more than 2.5 hours in waiting room to see Dr Ramanathan is terrible.
    Aug 21, 2021
    All was good.
    Aug 02, 2021
    Dr Saraswathy Ramanathan was patient in answering my questions & displayed thorough co-operation in my future appointments.
    Jul 17, 2021
    Follow up in 1 year.
    Jul 11, 2021
    Would that all health care providers could be in parallel step with this brilliant doctor.
    Jun 23, 2021
    Excellent communication at all times. All information printed out and available on My Chart.
    Jun 06, 2021
    The doctor was wonderful. The waiting was horrible.
    Jun 02, 2021
    Provider was personable caring knowledgeable skillful.
    Jun 02, 2021
    As good as it gets and then some!
    May 13, 2021
    also very professional. I value that at least as much as being friendly.
    May 09, 2021
    In addition to being an excellent opthalmologist Dr Ramanathan is a very kind and compassionate person.She really cares about her patients. I feel privileged to be under her care.
    May 05, 2021
    no follow-up care instructions
    May 03, 2021
    I like Dr. Ramanathan very much. I will miss her dearly cause I live far away I decided to see a closer doctor for my future appointments.
    Apr 29, 2021
    My experience with the surgeon and assistants attending me was excellent efficient and and very reassuring. Thank you.
    Apr 24, 2021
    excellent

    Selected research

    Contact me

    Providers on my team

    Share