Info needed about Sankara Nethralaya

Hi everyone

I'm from Bangalore but posting in Chennai forum as i need some info from Chennai ILites.....

We (my husband and I) are planning to visit Sankara Nethralaya and would like to gather as much info as possible about the hospital and the city. This is our first visit to Chennai and we would like to know about many things such as

1. good hotels to stay near the hospital

2. how's the system at the hospital? we'll be taking an appointment but is the waiting long or is the system smooth? i've heard we might have to wait 10-12 hrs.to meet the doctor inspite of the appt.

3. any recommendation for a particular doctor ....a name that we have heard a lot is Dr. Lingam Gopal

4. easiest mode of transportation for moving within the city.....how is the auto scene(meter, bargaining or fixed rates) considering that we r not locals and do not know any south indian language.

5. decent restaurants for meals

6.any other info that could be useful while in the city or at the hospital.

Any other information/suggestion that could be of help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks a ton.

Hi,
You have made a good decision to come to Sankara Nethralaya. Autos are the best mode of transport around the city, there are many good hotels in and aorund Nungambakkam area. Dr. Surendar used to be the best choice earlier, The wait is pretty long so you should come prepared for that. Tell me the budget for a day's stay and I will tell you the hotels that you can stay in.
Fountain plaza and Hyderabadi Biriyani, Ajnabi Mithai Ghar for chats, Dhaba, cake walk all are very near, a stone throw from the hospital. 2 streets away.
If budget is not a problem then you, then Ambassador Pallava and Vestin Park are good options. Otherwise there are other hotels on the either side of Rajaratnam Stadium.

Hi essvee,

I am visiting Sankara Nethralaya from my 1st standard (From age 6 to 21)

The hospital is very much reputed, and so obviously the crowd is so much. You are right, that u may have to wait for 10 12 hours too. But before that, have you taken the appointment? First take an appointment for the particular doctor you want to see. There are specialist for different kind of vision problems. Dr. Surendran was a pediatric Squint eye specialist, and now he has become one of the Dean or director. So it is difficult to get his appointment. Find the doctor according to what is your husband's eye problem. Then try to get his appointment. (When I was taking treatment there, we need to get appointment 4 to 6 months later from the day we apply. But might have improved now)

Inside the hospital, you have to make a check-in at the reception area, in the time provided for you. Then they will allow only 2 persons inside (Patient, assisting person). After entering inside you can find everything easy, as there are so many PRO's inside to help.

For food, you can take in the hospital canteen. Good quality food, but little bit costly. Eating outside there are many restaurants in the nearby Haddows road.

I don't have any idea about the hotels there. But there are so many hotels nearby.

Hope that helps.

~Durga

I have visited this place around 3 times.I did not have to wait as i had taken appointment for the early morning 8:00 or 7:00 AM i guess.Other thing is we have to spend around half a day or more than that ,from the point u get to see the doctor. there are different branches of it all around chennai.Which place have u got the appointment. Based on that place u search for the accoemodation.

On the whole u will get a very precise report regarding the test.

All the Best
Sri

Hai,
Welcome to Chennai. I am visiting this hospital for the past 20 years. This is one of the best hospitals which function with service as the motto. Sure , they charge good amount from people who can afford. My son is being treated by Dr.Surendran. He is more a friend now, such a gentle man, with no airs at all. He is THE dr. for squint surgery and performs around 20 to 25 surgeries per week (only on Wednesdays) for children.
If this is your first visit, you will have to take an appointment. You will be allowed inside only 15 minutes before that time. You may be seen by a junior doctor and then by a senior doctor. It is best that you do like that, if you do not know your problem. After all, the doctors are the best person to decide who is to see you for the problem.
There is no 10-12 hour wait, but normally it may take nearly 3/4 of a day. It all depends on what type of treatment you have to take.
Food trolleys are brought into the waiting aread, you get a variety of snacks and drinks. The canteen is good.
All in all, it is a confortable place and you will find it easy.
All the best to get well soon.

Hi,

I think they are opening a branch in Bangalore also. Anyway the BEST is Chennai main branch. But if your husband's problem is able to be cured at Bangalore branch, it will be easy for you I think. The hospital is in Bellary road in Bangalore.

~Durga

Dear Janani,Durga, Sri & Varloo,

Thanks a million for your replies.

We went through the hospital's website and talked to the hospital people over phone.
they'll let us know tomorrow if next week's appt. can be fixed.

how far is the speciality hospital from the main branch? it is located at Haddows rd. acc to the website. and are there good hotels near that? (approx range rs.1500-2000 per day)

yes , even i read about the branch opening at bangalore still we wud like to go to chennai once to get a consultation.then maybe we can follow up in bangalore.

thanx once again ....everybit of info u guys have provided has been extremely helpful and has given me a feel of what to expect.

if u remember something else, pl. let me know.

Hi, the Haddows road branch is near to Nungambakkam High road. There you can find many hotels. Please find the attached sheet for some of the hotels. You can call and ask for the price.

Also find the hospital here.
Wikimapia - Let's describe the whole world!

~Durga

Hi
You can check out :: Vestin Park ::. and Ambassador Pallava 044 - 28554476, 28554068 Fax : 044 - 285544 also Sulekha for other hotels in Egmore and Nungambakkam. Need more info you can PM me.