Instructors by Training Location

At HelpMeSee, our instructors ensure our trainees have a proficient grasp of manual small incision cataract surgery techniques. Our instructor-led training prepares our trainees for real-world surgical scenarios using state-of-the-art ophthalmic simulation-based training to provide a realistic, hands-on learning environment. The core of our training initiative is the Eye Surgery Simulator, a cutting-edge tool that provides a realistic surgical environment. Under the expert guidance of our instructors, trainees can practice and perfect their surgical skills in a simulation-based, risk-free setting. This interactive learning experience is instrumental in preparing them for real-world surgical scenarios, significantly enhancing the success rate of cataract surgeries.

Our dedicated instructors play a pivotal role in elevating the standard of eye care. They are not just instructors, but mentors who foster a culture of excellence, nurturing the next generation of ophthalmic professionals. With the help of our instructors, we are making strides in improving eye health and eradicating cataract blindness, one training session at a time.

Learning Development Training Center

Mumbai, India

Ashish Bacchav, MBBS, DNB (Ophthalmology), FAEH (Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery)

Chief Instructor & Lead Simulation Subject Matter Expert

Dr. Bacchav joined HelpMeSee in 2017 as Lead Instructor and Subject Matter Expert. He is a Fellow of Cornea & Microsurgery at Aravind Eye Hospital in Tirunelveli, India, and a senior consultant with eye hospitals in Thane, India.

Dr. Bacchav’s experience includes more than 10,000 surgeries in MSICS, phacoemulsification, LASIK, cornea and refractive surgery. Dr. Bacchav plays a critical role in leading and training the team of instructors who teach MSICS. As a Subject Matter Expert, he leads the MSICS surgery simulation development for training purposes.

Chetan Ahiwalay, MS

Lead Instructor

Dr. Ahiwalay joined HelpMeSee as an Instructor and Subject Matter Expert. He performed fellowships at two of India’s top eye hospitals, a fellowship in phacoemulsification at Sankara Nethralaya and another in medical retina at Aravind Eye Hospital.

In his role at HelpMeSee, Dr. Ahiwalay leads the MSICS Simulation-based Training Course (MSTC) delivery at the Learning Development/Training Center in Mumbai. He also trains the HelpMeSee team of instructors. He advises on the development of the MSICS surgery simulators from a training perspective. In addition to his work with HelpMeSee, Dr. Ahiwalay practices cataract and anterior segment surgery extensively and has vast experience in MSICS practice and training.

Akshay Gopinathan Nair, MBBS, DNB (Ophthalmology), FLVPEI (Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery & Ocular Oncology)

Simulation Subject Matter Expert

Dr. Nair joined HelpMeSee in 2017, working today as a Simulation Subject Matter Expert. He has a Master of Science degree from Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital in Chennai, India.

After his graduation, Dr. Nair underwent fellowship training programs in ophthalmic plastic surgery, ocular oncology and facial aesthetics at the L V Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, India and New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai Hospital in the United States.

Dr. Nair currently serves as faculty at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and the Advanced Eye Hospital & Institute in Mumbai, India.

Dr. Nair has a strong academic background with more than 60 peer-reviewed, indexed publications and ten textbook chapters. With expertise in ophthalmic microsurgery, Dr. Nair contributed immensely to the Eye Surgery Simulator’s development.

Tejas Sheth, MBBS, MS

Instructor

Dr. Sheth joined HelpMeSee in 2017 as an MSICS Instructor and worked in six years of practice in trust and private hospitals in India. Dr. Sheth has four years of pharmacovigilance experience (medical review) at Tata Consultancy Services, Mumbai, India.

Dr. Sheth is part of the team of instructors training MSTC) at the Learning Development Training Center in Mumbai and contributes to developing the MSICS surgery simulator.

Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University

Wenzhou, China

Xu Xu, MD

Lead Instructor

Dr. Xu has performed ophthalmology research, teaching and clinical work in China for the past 20 years. She teaches MSICS to young doctors from the remote Western provinces of China.

Since December 2006, Dr. Xu has operated on over 4,000 of the total 13,000 charitable MSICS patients treated by Wenzhou Medical University.

RUIXUE TU, MD

Instructor

Resident of Cataract Center, Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University

Dr. Tu has performed ophthalmology clinical work and research in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University for the past six years.

ZELIN ZHAO, MD

Instructor

Dr. Zelin Zhao graduated from Wenzhou Medical University in 2008 and has performed ophthalmology clinical work and research for the past ten years. Dr. Zhao mastered MSICS in 2013 and has restored vision to more than 1,000 cataract patients.

KAIJING ZHOU, MD, PHD

Instructor

Dr. Kaijing Zhou joined HelpMeSee in 2020 as an Instructor. He is specialized in intraocular refractive surgery and high myopia and is engaged in clinical practice, teaching and research of cataract surgery.

Mexican Institute of Ophthalmology (I.M.O.)

Querétaro, Mexico

KARLA PAMELA GONZÁLEZ DAHER, MD

Lead Instructor

Dr. González is an Anterior Segment Surgeon at the Mexicano de Oftalmología (IMO) in Querétaro, Mexico, where she teaches phacoemulsification and Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery to residents. Dr. González qualified as an HelpMeSee Ocular Incisions and Dissections Course Instructor in 2019. Working with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Van Lansingh, Dr. González installed the HelpMeSee Eye Surgery Simulator to IMO, the first in Latin America.

DR. TERESA DIAZ FLORES

Instructor

Dr. Díaz is certified by HelpMeSee to teach Sclerolcorneal Tunnel Construction Course (STCC) at the Instituto Mexicano de Oftalmología (IMO)/Autonomous University of Mexico, where she also completed a fellowship in Anterior Segment Surgery in March of 2020 and an ophthalmology residency 2018.

SIMLab

Jersey City, NJ USA

MINAL SHAHBALDOTA, DO (INDIA), FLEI (PHACO)

Instructor

Dr. Minal ShahBaldota, an ophthalmic surgeon, is a Subject Matter Expert with HelpMeSee New York. Drawing on her extensive surgical experience spanning over 25 years, Dr. ShahBaldota is an integral member of the HelpMeSee team focused on the development of the Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery (MSICS) simulator.