Prof. Dr. M. Nazrul Islam

Senior Consultant, Cataract & Glaucoma

Doctor Biography

Prof. Dr. M. Nazrul Islam

Senior Consultant, Cataract & Glaucoma

Managing Director, Bangladesh Eye Hospital Group

Chairman, Glaucoma Faculty, Bangladesh Eye Hospital & Institute

Prof. Dr. M. Nazrul Islam is a senior cataract and glaucoma specialist, phaco and laser cataract surgeon, and one of the leading ophthalmologists in Bangladesh. He currently serves as Managing Director of Bangladesh Eye Hospital Group, Senior Consultant in Cataract & Glaucoma, and Chairman of the Glaucoma Faculty at Bangladesh Eye Hospital & Institute.

With more than three decades of experience in ophthalmology, Prof. Islam has made significant contributions to the advancement of cataract and glaucoma management in Bangladesh through clinical practice, surgical innovation, education, research, professional leadership, and community eye care.

Cataract Surgery

Prof. Islam has been performing phacoemulsification surgery since 1998 and has performed more than 30,000 phacoemulsification procedures, in addition to laser-assisted cataract surgeries.

His cataract practice incorporates modern surgical techniques and advanced intraocular lens technology. In addition to conventional monofocal IOL implantation, he has extensive experience with multifocal, trifocal, toric and other premium intraocular lenses, with particular emphasis on appropriate patient selection and optimal visual outcomes.

He continuously adopts advances in cataract surgery, diagnostic technology, surgical equipment and IOL technology to provide patients with contemporary, evidence-based eye care.

Glaucoma Surgery

Prof. Islam has played a pioneering role in introducing and developing several modern glaucoma surgical procedures in Bangladesh.

His glaucoma surgical experience includes trabeculectomy with Mitomycin-C (MMC), trabeculectomy with Ologen implant, trabeculectomy with anti-VEGF, Non-Penetrating Deep Sclerectomy (NPDS), Ex-PRESS glaucoma shunt implantation, Stab Incision Glaucoma Surgery (SIGS) and a range of Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) procedures.

His experience with angle-based glaucoma surgery includes iStent implantation, Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy/excision of trabecular meshwork, Gonioscopy-Assisted Transluminal Trabeculotomy (GATT), Tanito Microhook Trabeculotomy and other goniotomy procedures.

He also has extensive experience with glaucoma drainage devices, including the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve, Aurolab Aqueous Drainage Implant (AADI), Virna Glaucoma Implant, Paul Glaucoma Implant, and other glaucoma drainage devices.

For infants and children with congenital and developmental glaucoma, his surgical practice includes goniotomy, trabeculotomy ab externo, combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy, and other appropriate glaucoma procedures.

Education & International Training

Prof. M. Nazrul Islam graduated with an MBBS from the University of Dhaka in 1982. He subsequently obtained the Diploma in Ophthalmology (DO), MCPS in Ophthalmology, and FCPS in Ophthalmology.

He received postgraduate training and fellowship in phacoemulsification under Dr. Pannet Pangputhipong at Metapracharak Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, in 1997.

In 2005, he underwent advanced glaucoma training with internationally renowned glaucoma specialist Prof. Robert Ritch at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, USA.

These international training experiences, combined with decades of clinical practice, have contributed significantly to his work in developing modern cataract and glaucoma services in Bangladesh.

Professional Leadership

Prof. Islam has held numerous leadership positions in national ophthalmic organizations.

He is the current President of the Bangladesh Eye Care Society.

He is a Past President of the Bangladesh Glaucoma Society (BGS) and a Past President of the Bangladesh Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (BSCRS), and continues to contribute to both organizations in an advisory capacity.

He has also served as Vice President of the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB) and as President of the BIRDEM Doctors & Officers Welfare Association.

Internationally, Prof. Islam serves on the Executive Board of the Asia-Pacific Glaucoma Society (APGS) and is a Board Member of the Asian Angle Closure Glaucoma Club (AACGC). Through these organizations, he continues to contribute to glaucoma education and professional collaboration within the Asia-Pacific region.

Community Eye Care

Beyond his hospital-based clinical practice, Prof. Islam has a longstanding commitment to the prevention of avoidable blindness and the expansion of quality eye-care services outside Dhaka.

He serves as Chairman of the Board of Management of Jashore Eye Hospital and Chairman of the Management Committee of Jashore Community Eye Hospital. Through these institutions, he remains actively involved in improving access to comprehensive and affordable eye care in his home district of Jashore and surrounding areas.

He is particularly committed to increasing public awareness about glaucoma, encouraging early diagnosis and treatment, and reducing preventable visual impairment and blindness in Bangladesh.

Research, Publications & Editorial Activities

Prof. Islam has maintained a strong interest in ophthalmic research and academic publication throughout his career. He is the author or co-author of more than 90 scientific and medical publications.

His editorial contributions include serving as Editor of the Journal of the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (1995–2000) and Editor of the Journal of the Bangladesh Academy of Ophthalmology (2003–2006).

He currently serves as Chief Editor of the Journal of the Bangladesh Glaucoma Society (JBGS) and Chief Editor of the Journal of the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (JOSB).

Prof. Islam has presented extensively at national and international scientific meetings. He has been invited as a speaker and faculty member at conferences and scientific programs organized by leading ophthalmic organizations, including AIOS, SAARC ophthalmic meetings, APAO, APGC, APACRS, MEACO, ISGS, Saudi Ophthalmic Society, Korean Ophthalmological Society, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), and World Glaucoma Congresses, among others.

Books & Patient Education

Public education is an important part of Prof. Islam's professional work. He has appeared regularly on national television and radio programs to discuss eye diseases and promote public awareness.

To make glaucoma information more accessible to Bangla-speaking patients, he developed the Android application “Glaucoma Bangla.”

He has also authored five patient-education books in Bengali:

Chokher Uchcha Chap Glaucoma (High Eye Pressure & Glaucoma)
Chokh O Chashma (Eye & Spectacles)
Diabetes O Chokh (Diabetes & Eye)
Chokher Sadharon Shomossa – 100 Prosno Uttor (Common Eye Problems – 100 Questions & Answers)
Glaucomar Shathe Bosobash (Living with Glaucoma)

These books have been written to provide patients and the general public with understandable information about common eye diseases and are made available for patient education.

Prof. Islam is also a co-author of two international ophthalmic publications:

Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma — published by Springer
APGS Glaucoma Guidelines, 4th Edition — published by Kugler Publications

Awards & Recognition

Prof. Islam has received a number of awards and recognitions for his contributions to ophthalmology, research, education and community eye care.

These include the Matin Gold Medal for Best Scientific Paper from the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh in 1996; the Fulkoli Award for Best Performance in Ophthalmology in 2003; the Rotary Governor Gold Medal for contribution to community ophthalmology from Rotary District 3280 in 2011; the SKF-Mirror Health Award in 2011; and the ACOIN Award from the Association of Community Ophthalmologists of India in 2012.

In recognition of his longstanding contribution to glaucoma care, education and research, the Bangladesh Glaucoma Society established the “Nazrul Gold Medal,” which is awarded to encourage and recognize young ophthalmologists and researchers working in the field of glaucoma.

Current Professional Positions

Managing Director, Bangladesh Eye Hospital Group
Senior Consultant, Cataract & Glaucoma, Bangladesh Eye Hospital & Institute
Chairman, Glaucoma Faculty, Bangladesh Eye Hospital & Institute
President, Bangladesh Eye Care Society
Past President & Adviser, Bangladesh Glaucoma Society
Past President & Adviser, Bangladesh Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
Executive Board Member, Asia-Pacific Glaucoma Society
Board Member, Asian Angle Closure Glaucoma Club
Chairman, Board of Management, Jashore Eye Hospital
Chairman, Management Committee, Jashore Community Eye Hospital
Chief Editor, Journal of Bangladesh Glaucoma Society
Chief Editor, Journal of the Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh

Contact

Email: nazrul.islam@hotmail.com / nazrul777@gmail.com / prof.nazrul@bdeyehospital.com
Website: www.profnazrul.com

Education

MBBS from University of Dhaka in 1982
Diploma in Ophthalmology
MCPS (membership)
FCPS (Fellowship) in Ophthalmology

Training

Fellowship on Phacoemulsification with Dr. PannetPangputhipong at Metapracharak Hospital, Bangkok in 1997
Glaucoma with Prof. Robert Ritch at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, USA in 2005.