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Saras Ramanathan
4.9 out of 5 (361)
Saras Ramanathan

Saras Ramanathan, MD

Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Division Chief, Comprehensive Ophthalmology

Comprehensive Ophthalmology & Optometry Clinic
490 Illinois St.,
San Francisco, CA 94158
(415) 353-2020
4.9 out of 5 (361)
Virtual visits available
4.9 out of 5 (361)
Virtual visits available
Comprehensive Ophthalmology & Optometry Clinic
490 Illinois St.,
San Francisco, CA 94158
(415) 353-2020

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.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology, 1998

  • Residencies

    University of Chicago Hospital, Ophthalmology, 1996

  • Internship

    Evanston Hospital, Internal Medicine, 1993

  • Degree

    University of Washington, 1992

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
    361 Ratings
    About our process
    Jun 28, 2025
    I love Dr R. So good. She diagnosed my problem that 3 previous ophthalmologists missed.
    Jun 25, 2025
    Dr. Ramanathan is just wonderful. Her medical student, Albert, is knowledgeable and great personality
    Jun 21, 2025
    I feel confident my doctor will provide the best care available for my situation.
    Jun 14, 2025
    Excellent
    May 31, 2025
    Dr Ramanathan is amazing!!!
    May 30, 2025
    Dr. Ramanathan is so great in all directions
    May 28, 2025
    Dr Ramanathan and her team are excellent. All aspects of care from the technical to the personal attention to the patient are superior. Thank you.
    May 24, 2025
    This Department runs like a Swiss Watch. Very impressed.
    May 05, 2025
    Excellent communication
    Apr 19, 2025
    Excellent
    Apr 19, 2025
    Dr. Ramanathan is excellent in every way. She is thorough, takes the time to listen and evaluate my questions, explains the condition, sets reasonable expectations, and provides great care instructions.
    Apr 18, 2025
    Extremely thorough practitioner, answers all questions, exceptionally skilled surgeon. Follow up outstanding.
    Apr 16, 2025
    Dr. Ramanathan is fantastic!!!!
    Apr 16, 2025
    Through every step of catarac surgery, leisure surgery, was explained thoroughly.allowing me to relax and be open to my questions, as well.
    Apr 15, 2025
    Dr Ramanathan is great
    Apr 14, 2025
    Dr. R Outstanding in every way! And I am happy that you have given me this easy way to let the world know - knowledge, bedside, surgical talent. She is the best of the best!
    Mar 24, 2025
    Dr Ramanathan is wonderful. Her positive attitude is contagious and reassuring. Her team in the OR were also great, very pleasant. During what could potentially be a stressful situation, I never felt afraid or nervous.
    Feb 21, 2025
    Good
    Feb 19, 2025
    We love Dr. Ramanathan
    Feb 19, 2025
    She is the best
    Feb 15, 2025
    Dr Ramanathan is an amazing doctor. Her expertise, knowledge, patient manner, friendliness, how well she explains things - to patients and students alike, are top notch. All around an outstanding doctor. So fortunate to be under her care.
    Feb 08, 2025
    Dr. Ramanathan is FABULOUS!!! So kind, so knowledgeable, so wonderful!
    Jan 27, 2025
    Dr. Ramanathan is OUTSTANDING! Excellent personal skills, professional skills, friendly. GIVE HER A RAISE! Put patient and parent as ease. Good instruction to her residents.
    Jan 25, 2025
    Dr. Ramanathan is the best. So grateful for her care.
    Jan 17, 2025
    Dr R. Is remarkable. Her energy level and enthusiasm at 5:00PM are commendable. She was very positive and optimistic and went over the various lense options carefully and clearly, ditto for the explanation of the surgery.
    Dec 27, 2024
    My care provider was exceedingly patient, understanding, and communicative.
    Dec 18, 2024
    She is awesome
    Dec 18, 2024
    My care provider is excellent in all respects. She clearly explains my situation and options for care and listens carefully and responds clearly to all my questions.
    Dec 14, 2024
    Dr. Ramanathan is an amazing doctor, I wish all doctors were as caring, smart and friendly.
    Nov 22, 2024
    Dr.Ramanathan is a very caring physician. She is very Sincere, and doesn't mind my questions and she is also a good teacher. I learn a lot more about my condition when she had a discussion about how to Choose a replacement lens in front of of me. I appreciated very much hearing there conversation. I like her teaching style as well.
    Nov 22, 2024
    Love Fr Sara. She is extraordinary
    Nov 02, 2024
    Doctor RAMANATHAN Is The BEST
    Nov 02, 2024
    Actually, all excellent/supurb
    Nov 02, 2024
    Good service
    Oct 16, 2024
    Dr. Ramanathan is top flight. She's good, smart, enthusiastic and cares for her patients. She was very helpful in my decision regarding my future treatment she gave me options and was just fantastic.
    Oct 02, 2024
    Dr. Ramanathan is a warm, caring, attentive precise and respectful provider.
    Oct 02, 2024
    I love Dr. Ramanathan!
    Oct 01, 2024
    I have recommended my doctor to two other people.
    Sep 21, 2024
    Dr. Ramanathan is exceptional Doctor
    Sep 09, 2024
    Excellent work, very good people, friendly and always with a smile and they made me feel very good
    Aug 25, 2024
    Dr. R. Is one of the best doctors I have ever seen. She is kind and a great listener, very thorough and caring.
    Aug 21, 2024
    Dr Ramanathan is great! Kind, clear, compassionate, straightforward.
    Aug 03, 2024
    Dr. Ramanathan is a very caring, kind person. Its refreshing in these days to have a doctor with these qualities. We need more doctors like her.
    Jul 26, 2024
    Dr. Ramanathan is great! -- obviously very skilled and experienced, and an excellent communicator. I feel like I am in good hands with her.
    Jul 20, 2024
    Dr Ramanathan is more than very good! And her young intern was also great!
    Jul 17, 2024
    Great visit with the doctor
    Jul 07, 2024
    Dr Ramathan & team are worthy of my trust & time.
    Jul 06, 2024
    One of the best health providers I've ever had.
    Jun 05, 2024
    Very compassionate and helpful
    May 15, 2024
    I appreciated the compassion shown to me as I struggled with my vision.
    May 08, 2024
    The team are very helpful and caring.
    Apr 24, 2024
    Good from beginning to endthank you
    Apr 22, 2024
    Excellent physician
    Apr 17, 2024
    I am so impressed and grateful for the outstanding care l received from everyone involved. Not only was I treated exceptionally but they also kept my son informed throughout the procedure. Extremely appreciative of your excellent care.
    Apr 17, 2024
    She was excellent, well worth waiting for 5 months to get the appointment, but of course this is too long.
    Apr 11, 2024
    Dr Ramanathan is OUTSTANDING, very compassionate
    Apr 03, 2024
    I have been seeing Dr.Ramanathan for more than 3 years , she is not only an excellent doctor but also , a very nice person .I also , had the pleasure of meeting Dr.Jacob Lifton , who was very polite and most helpful.
    Mar 18, 2024
    Good
    Mar 13, 2024
    Dr Ramanathan is such an expert in her field. I know I am receiving the best care .
    Mar 07, 2024
    Before the consultation, I found myself navigating through a haze of uncertainty regarding my eyes condition, feeling quite disheartened by the lack of clear solutions.Dr. Ramanathan's expertise and reassuring demeanor offered a beacon of hope in what felt like an insurmountable journey. The insight, guidance and support provided not only clarified the path forward but also instilled a newfound sense of optimism in me. It's rare to find a physician who combines such personal touches and care for a patient with outstanding quality of medical care.
    Mar 07, 2024
    This is an EXCELLENT Clinic!
    Dec 26, 2023
    I like my doctor a lot; however I dont want to recommend to others because then my chances of being seen is limited.
    Nov 22, 2023
    Cannot recommend this provider highly enough
    Nov 22, 2023
    Good relationship with provider.
    Nov 22, 2023
    Consultation was excellent
    Nov 22, 2023
    Above n Beyond!
    Nov 18, 2023
    Dr Ramanatha Is A Very Encouraging Provider
    Nov 18, 2023
    Extremely compassionate care during my minor crisis
    Nov 15, 2023
    Very friendly & relaxed you feel you are in a good hands
    Nov 08, 2023
    My doctor was an exceptionally good communicator who expressed caring, concern for me and my situation, and kindness. She discussed my fears and reassured me, and I was grateful for her.
    Oct 28, 2023
    Superb care
    Oct 24, 2023
    You all need! Something More than "Very Good" !
    Oct 20, 2023
    All good, ...just a follow up with Dr R.
    Sep 25, 2023
    In fact I did recommend a good friend who eventually had the same lens replacement procedure as I. She liked the MD very much, but also had a bad time with UCSF's telephone system.
    Sep 11, 2023
    The provider always cares me , and she is very very friendly. I will recommend family and friends.
    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.

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