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
    373 Ratings
    About our process
    Aug 31, 2023
    The treatment I received was excellent
    Aug 26, 2023
    There was miscommunication about getting OCT done. I was scheduled to have it done but the technicians never got around to getting me in in time to see the intern or the provider.
    Aug 19, 2023
    I recommend Dr R without reservation. I feel fortunate to have her as my doctor.
    Aug 12, 2023
    Wonderful Doctor very caring and very professional
    Jul 26, 2023
    Dr Ramanathan is excellent provider
    Jul 25, 2023
    Only attending physician is very good.
    Jul 19, 2023
    Very thankful for everyone that helped restore my vision
    Jul 05, 2023
    Best provider
    Jun 21, 2023
    Excellent doctor!!
    Jun 10, 2023
    The best doctor I have ever had. Clear caring focused on solving issues
    Jun 09, 2023
    My procedure was routine and uncomplicated but my provider went through her routine pleasantly.
    May 19, 2023
    Truly outstanding
    May 13, 2023
    Best Eye Dr in USA!! Professional with outstanding teaching ability!!!
    May 06, 2023
    I was in a lot of discomfort this visit with my eyes and had many issues going on with my health that could be causing my vision problems and I knew the doctor could give me a diagnosis that could answer my concerns and she did.
    May 04, 2023
    Thank you to the doctor who wholeheartedly treated my eye thanks to the doctor my left eye is now very bright and very visible. I will see the doctor a second time with the other eye in a few weeks very sincerely thank you very much.
    May 01, 2023
    Very sincere and caring
    Apr 19, 2023
    Care provider was very professional very thorough and put me at ease.
    Apr 17, 2023
    Dr.Ramanathan is a first class doctor and a very nice person who cares about her patients.
    Apr 15, 2023
    Good
    Apr 10, 2023
    Very good experience.
    Mar 22, 2023
    Interaction with chief resident and dr eas excellent
    Mar 20, 2023
    Dr. Ramanathan checks understanding and wants to make sure all questions are answered.
    Mar 17, 2023
    My physician was excellent in all regards.
    Mar 13, 2023
    VEry good care nowadays
    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

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