Dr. Sangwan is a renowned ophthalmic surgeon of international repute with over twenty-five years of rich experience. He has been involved with cutting-edge research in eye care and his major contribution is in the field of translational research in Ophthalmology involving limbal stem cells. Mastered technique of cultivation of stem cell for treatment of corneal blindness and have treated over 800 patients which represent largest human application of adult stem cell anywhere in the world. Developed a cost effective technique of growing cells on patient’s eye and it is called SLET. During his career, Dr. Sangwan has been longest associated with LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI, since March 1998- August 2018), Hyderabad, India where he worked as Director Center for Ocular Regeneration (CORE) and Srujana- Center for Innovation. He has also been associated with the Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, MA (USA) and with the DC-10 Flying Eye Hospital of ORBIS International, Inc. New York USA earlier in his career.
Currently Director Innovations at Dr Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, Daryaganj, New Delhi Harvard Medical School Boston, MA. USA, Immunology and Uveitis Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology: July 1996 to January 1998 ORBIS Intl. Inc. New York USA DC-8 & DC-10 Flying Eye Hospital: May 1993 to December 1995 Books/Book Chapter: 15; Research Gate: RG Score 41.44, 97.5% of all members, 10 million, Publications 274 in peer reviewed indexed journals & Google Scholar: h-index (since 2013) 34.
- Lifetime achievement award- Ophthalmology- MTI Indian medical tourism summit, New Delhi 2020
- Co-author, Two Best Posters, American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting 2016
- Oration, Indian Society of Cornea and Keratorefractive Surgery Conference2016, New Delhi, India
- Rustom Ranji Oration 2016, Telangana Ophthalmology Society (TOS) Meeting, Aug 2016, Hyderabad, India
- AAO 2016- Recipient of best poster award on MMG for lids in chronic SJS
- Ranked 4 in Top 10 Medical Researchers in India,Department of Science & Technology
- Awarded Sun Pharma award for 2015 in Medical- Clinical Research.
- Invited as Steering Committee member TFOS, 2015: Responsible for bringing out DEWS II report in 2017
- Best of Show Award at the 2013 American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting held at New Orleans, USA. Was Senior Producer for the video showcasing the procedure of ‘Pannus dissection’
- “Best Paper in Cornea and External Disease” at the 28th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress,APAO – AIOS 2013, January 17-20, 2013, Hyderabad, India.
- First ‘Dr Paul Dubord Chair of Cornea’ at LVPEI 2012 • Invited to join the Executive Committee of International KPro Study Group at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, USA.
- Indian Medical Association (IMA), Hyderabad City Diamond Jubilee Dr. R.M.Saboo Oration on “Stem Cell Therapy – The Promise and the Potential”at Dr. Kiriloskar Hall, IMA Building, Sultan Bazar, Koti, Hyderabad;January 28, 2012.
- First annual “Leadership in Uveitis” award by the Lux Biosciences Steering Committee at the Ocular Inflammation Congress, organized by the International Ocular Inflammation Society (IOIS) and the Uveitis Society of India (USI) in Goa.November 13-16, 2011.
- Best Original Cornea Paper of the day at 115thAnnual meeting of AAO, Orlando, FL, USA on October 22-25, 2011. Autologous Cultivated Limbal Epithelial Transplantation: A 10 Year Study.
- Dr. Patnaik Oration, Shroff’s Charitable Eye Hospital, Mumbai “Cell-based therapy for Ocular Surface reconstruction” held on 18 September 2011.
- Named among Top 25 scientists in India by India Today, September 2011 • Award Lecture atSeventh Annual meeting of International Ocular Surface Society (IOSS) at Hollywood, FL, USA. “Cell-based Ocular Surface Reconstruction: Advance and Gaps in Knowledge” onApril 30, 2011
- “Karam Bhoomi Award ” for Medical Sciences presented by Haryana Institute of Fine Arts (HIFA), Karnal, Haryana on March 13, 2011. The award was presented by Hon’ble Dr. Farooq Abdulla, Cabinet Minister, Government of India.
- Dr Shanti Lal Modi Oration Award” awarded by Ahmedabad Ophthalmology Society onJanuary 23, 2011 at Ahmedabad.
- Prof Mahendra Mishra Oration Award: Presented by Orissa State Ophthalmological society on November 13, 2010 presented by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Sh Naveen Patnaik.
- Fox Center for Vision Restoration Lecture: “INNOVATIONS IN VISION RESTORATION” The Louis J. Fox at UPMC Eye Center and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine on October 15, 2010.
- RaghavachariAward:Best free paper “Long term outcomes of keratoplasty in patients with autologous cultivated stem cell transplantation following chemical injury” presented during 34th annual conference of A. P. State ophthalmological Society (APSOS) – 2010 held on October 1-3, 2010 • Certificate of Appreciation: Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Hyderabad 28th Annual CME Programme 2009.
- HV Desai Award: Best work in Ocular Surface disorders, awarded on April 20, 2008 at HV Desai Eye Hospital, Pune.
- Dr. A.V. Madangopal Oration Award: Presented during Vidarbha Ophthalmological Society meeting, March 29, 2008. Limbal Stem Cells: Science and Practice.
- Dr ArasthuYarjug Memorial Oration Award: January 17, 2008, Indian Medical Association, Hyderabad. Stem Cell for Ocular Diseases.
- National Technology Award (shared): Dr. Sangwan VS and Dr. Vemuganti GK were jointly awarded the Biotech Products and Process Development and Commercialisation Award For 2007 for initiating the First Adult Stem Therapy in India which turned out to be the largest clinical trial of its kind that has restored sight to more than 200 patients. The award was given by president APJ Abdul Kalam, then President of India.
- Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award: work for stem cell transplantation,2006. The awards were presented by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh at a ceremony in Vighyan Bhawan.
- Col RangacharyAward: Best free paper presented during annual meeting of AIOS held in Bhubaneswar in January 2005.
- Dr. P Siva Reddy: Researcher of the year in Andhra Pradesh (2002 – 2003).
- Dr. K Vengal Rao Award: Best paper in A.P State Ophthalmological Society (APSOS) – 2002
- Best Voluntary Blood Donor Award of the District for the year 1990 (District Red Cross Society, Rohtak, India)
- Recipient of the college color for Basketball for the session 1985-86