The Department of Ophthalmology at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital is Bhutan’s premier tertiary eye care center, providing comprehensive, high-quality ophthalmic services to patients from across the country. As the national referral center for eye diseases, the department is committed to delivering patient-centered care, advancing ophthalmic education, and promoting the prevention of avoidable blindness through clinical excellence, research, and outreach services.
To be the national center of excellence in eye care, providing accessible, equitable, and world-class ophthalmic services that improve the quality of life of every Bhutanese.
We treat every patient with empathy, dignity, and respect, recognizing and responding to their individual physical, emotional, and cultural needs.
We maintain the highest standards of anesthesia practice through evidence-based medicine, robust safety measures, and continuous quality improvement.
We value open communication, mutual respect, and multidisciplinary cooperation to provide seamless perioperative care and support successful surgical outcomes.
We are committed to ensuring all patients receive timely, inclusive, and equitable anesthesia care regardless of their background or circumstances.
We uphold ethical principles, transparency, and professionalism while remaining accountable to our patients, colleagues, and the wider community.
We encourage innovation, embrace advancements in medical technology, and promote a culture of continuous learning, education, and professional growth.
The Department of Ophthalmology at JDWNRH serves as Bhutan’s apex referral center for eye care. Over the years, the department has expanded from providing basic ophthalmic services to offering specialized diagnostic and surgical care using modern technologies.
The department receives referrals from regional and district hospitals across Bhutan and manages a wide spectrum of ocular diseases ranging from routine eye conditions to complex medical and surgical cases. It also plays a vital role in national blindness prevention programs, residency training, continuing medical education, and public awareness initiatives.
In 2019, the Gyalyum Kesang Choedon Wangchuck National Eye Centre (GKCWNEC) was established under the patronage of Her Majesty Gyalyum Kesang Choedon Wangchuck, representing a state-of-the-art facility offering tertiary eye services in Bhutan. This milestone achievement was made possible through the support of the Wen Giving Foundation and Cure Blindness Project, USA .
The National Eye Centre has played a pivotal role in addressing the burgeoning demand for eye care services, with 63,465 outpatients in 2025, averaging 5,200 patients per month. Moreover, a total of 2921 patients underwent various types of ocular surgeries, underscoring the Department’s commitment to delivering comprehensive care. The expansion of infrastructure, including dedicated operating theatres and inpatient facilities, has significantly enhanced the quality of care and overall experience for both patients and staff.
Through dedicated specialists and trained eye care professionals, the department strives to ensure that every patient receives compassionate, timely, and quality eye care.
The department provides comprehensive ophthalmic services including:
Comprehensive eye examinations
Refraction and prescription of spectacles
Contact lens services
Cataract assessment
Glaucoma screening and management
Vitreo -Retina Services
Diabetic retinopathy screening
Pediatric ophthalmology and Strabismus services
Neuro-ophthalmology consultations
Corneal and external eye disease management
Oculoplasty Services
Uveitis services
Low vision assessment and rehabilitation
ROP screening
Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS)
Lacrimal Procedures
Pediatric cataract surgery
Strabismus Surgery
Ocular trauma Procedures/surgery
Glaucoma surgery
Retinal Surgery
Pterygium surgery
Corneal procedures and surgery
Eyelid and adnexal surgery
Minor ophthalmic procedures
Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation
Anterior segment Laser
Posterior segment laser.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)/OCTA
Meibography
ERG
Fundus Fluorescein Angiography/ICG
Applanation Tonometry
Pachymetry
Biometry with IOL Master
Visual Field Analysis
B-Scan Ultrasonography
A-Scan Biometry
Keratometry
Fundus Photography
Outreach eye camps
School eye health screening
Diabetic retinopathy screening programs
Health education and awareness programs
Residency training Program
Ophthalmic Assistant Training Program
Internship programs
Research methodology on clinical topics
The Department of Ophthalmology is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of dedicated professionals comprising:
Category | Strenght |
Ophthalmologists
(Consultants & Specialists) | 11 |
Optometrists | 5 |
Ophthalmic Technicians | 18 |
Ophthalmic Nurses | 7 |
Administrative & Support Staff | 13 |
Ophthalmology Residents | 2 |
Optometry Interns | 7 |
Ophthalmic Technician trainees | 10 |
The Department of Ophthalmology is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered care through clinical excellence, innovation, education, and continuous improvement. We strive to ensure that every patient receives timely, safe, and effective eye care while contributing to the national goal of eliminating avoidable blindness in Bhutan.
Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital
Thimphu, Bhutan
