We are delighted to announce Dr Sahil Thakur as a touchOPHTHALMOLOGY Future Leader 2026, recognised by his peers as one of the ophthalmologists shaping the future of eye care.
Dr Sahil Thakur is Head of Medical Affairs at Mediwhale Inc., South Korea, and Adjunct Research Fellow at the Singapore Eye Research Institute and the Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences Academic Clinical Programme at Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
With over a decade of experience in glaucoma, retinal disorders and comprehensive eye care, Dr Thakur’s work now focuses on artificial intelligence in medical imaging, particularly deep learning applications, fundus image-based disease prediction and the development of Software as Medical Devices (SaMD), bridging clinical practice, research and digital health innovation.
In this Q&A, Dr Thakur reflects on his early inspirations, then mentors who shaped his career, and why advances in AI continue to open up exciting possibilities for the future of the field.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in ophthalmology?
My earliest inspiration came from my uncle, Dr Rajeev Tuli. Watching him practice ophthalmology allowed me to see, quite literally, how restoring sight could restore independence, dignity, and quality of life. That exposure shaped my understanding of medicine not as an abstract science, but as something deeply human and immediately impactful.
Another important consideration was the ability to provide meaningful and quick outcomes to patients. Ophthalmology offers that unique combination. Cataract surgery, for example, remains one of the most transformational procedures in medicine. Within a short span, a patient can move from functional blindness to clear vision. Few specialties allow you to witness such dramatic, measurable improvement so consistently. The blend of precision, technology, and patient impact ultimately drew me toward the field.
Over time, I began to see ophthalmology not just as a clinical discipline but as a platform for innovation. The eye is highly imageable, quantifiable, and increasingly data rich. It sits at the intersection of biology, engineering, and digital health. That intersection creates an opportunity not only to treat blindness, but to redefine how we approach systemic disease detection and monitoring more broadly.
Peer Perspective
“Dr Sahil Thakur is nominated as a touchOPHTHALMOLOGY Future Leader 2026 because he bridges clinical research and AI-driven innovation in eye care, serving as Head of Medical Affairs at Mediwhale, where he leads clinical strategy for AI diagnostic tools that aim to improve early detection of glaucoma and systemic disease from retinal images.”
Tyler Rim, CMO (Medical) at Mediwhale Inc
Q: Who has been the most significant mentor or role model for you, and what did you learn from them?
I have been fortunate to learn from multiple mentors at different stages of my journey. Prof. Parul Ichhpujani introduced me to the discipline of research and taught me the importance of asking structured, meaningful questions. She emphasized rigor and creativity, particularly in settings where resources may be limited.
Prof Ching-Yu Cheng broadened my perspective on global research collaboration and the importance of generating evidence that can influence practice at scale. From him, I learned how to think beyond local impact and consider how data can shape policy and clinical standards.
Dr Tyler Rim has been influential in demonstrating how clinical insight can be translated into innovation. He showed me that physicians can actively shape technology, not just adopt it. That perspective strengthened my belief that leadership in medicine today requires engagement with innovation ecosystems, not just traditional practice settings.
Q: What current innovations in ophthalmology excite you the most?
The convergence of artificial intelligence and advanced eye imaging is particularly exciting. The eye provides a unique, non-invasive window into systemic health. With AI-enabled image analysis, retinal scans can support earlier diagnosis and more precise monitoring of chronic diseases such as diabetic complications, cardiovascular risk, and other systemic conditions. This has the potential to simplify screening, reduce barriers to access, and make longitudinal monitoring far more efficient. Instead of relying solely on episodic testing, clinicians can leverage routine imaging to generate actionable insights.
The future I see is one where eye imaging is not confined to specialty clinics but becomes part of routine health infrastructure, supported by validated algorithms and strong clinical governance. If implemented responsibly, this evolution can improve access, reduce healthcare burden, and shift the focus from reactive treatment to proactive care.
Disclosures: This short article was prepared by touchOPHTHALMOLOGY in collaboration with Dr Thakur. No fees or funding were associated with its publication.
Citation: Dr Sahil Thakur on translating clinical insight into innovation: touchOPHTHALMOLOGY Future Leaders 2026. 11 March 2026.
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