Sobha Sivaprasad, UK – Euretina Women in Retina Interview (July 2025)
In this Euretina Women in Retina series, women in ophthalmology share their career challenges and evolution over time, discussing work-life balance and the importance of mentorship. They highlight the shift towards female leadership in a previously male-dominated field, and how organizations like Euretina are fostering diversity and support for women in medicine.
Learn more about the EURETINA Women in Retina Programme here.
Video Transcript
Reflecting on the start of your career, how did gender-based challenges shape your experience, and have they improved?
Sobha Sivaprasad: Well, training in ophthalmology while being a daughter, wife, and mother was a challenge. Nowadays, most women tend to focus on their career and stabilise themselves before they embark on their family life.
How have changes in institutions or the wider medical community affected women’s advancement in your field?
Sobha Sivaprasad: It was a male dominated field, but the women have taken over the field and so women have progressed to leadership roles in ophthalmology.
How have you managed the demands of a high-stakes medical career with personal life and family?
Sobha Sivaprasad: Work-life balance is a challenge for all women who aspire to be a leader in their field, irrespective of their specialty.
Based on your experience, what advice would you give to young women entering the field today?
Sobha Sivaprasad: Senior women leaders in ophthalmology need to mentor young women entering the field. They can share solutions to similar challenges they had faced in their younger days.
What actions can organisations like Euretina take to foster a more diverse, inclusive and supportive environment for its community?
Sobha Sivaprasad: Organisations such as Euretina are facilitating mentorship programmes. I do believe things are easier for women in our field compared to two to three decades ago because of these programmes.
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