Saras Ramanathan

MD

Ophthalmologist
Cataract surgery specialist
Division Chief, Comprehensive Ophthalmology

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
    393 Ratings
    About our process
    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.
    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.
    Aug 12, 2023
    Wonderful Doctor, very caring and very professional
    Jul 26, 2023
    Dr Ramanathannis 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
    Ucsf is amazing
    Jan 21, 2023
    Her CV as peaks gif itself. She is extraordinary in all regards. She should be cloned times s million!!
    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

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