Akhundova-Bagirbekova was considered a highly qualified specialist of the Azerbaijan Scientific Research Institute.[3] She was also a professor at the department of eye diseases at the Azerbaijan State Institute for Advanced Training of Doctors named after Aziz Aliyev.[1]
In the 1940s, Akhundova-Bagirbekova completed qualification courses in keratoplasty at the Odessa Research Institute of Eye Diseases and in subsequent years maintained close scientific ties with this institute.[2] Many of her scientific works were devoted to the problems of keratoplasty, trachoma and tissue therapy of eye diseases.[4] Being a student and follower of the famous academician Vladimir Filatov, Akhundova-Bagirbekova was the first in Azerbaijan and the Transcaucasia to apply the methods of keratoplasty and tissue therapy for a number of eye diseases.[1]
During World War II Akhundova-Bagirbekova was among the doctors who, on the basis of clinical hospitals, provided treatment and rehabilitation of the wounded and was awarded the country's highest award – the Order of Lenin.[5]
In 1951, Akhundova-Bagirbekova defended a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Medical Sciences at the Azerbaijan Medical Institute on the topic “Corneal transplantation with homogeneous and heterogeneous tissues,” proposing a new way of corneal transplant and a more accessible method of eye preservation.[6]
Akhundova-Bagirbekova was an active promoter of the development of ophthalmic surgery in Azerbaijan and did a lot to raise ophthalmic surgery in the republic to the level of advanced ophthalmological centers.[2] She also made a substantial contribution to the elimination of trachoma and treatment of non-infectious eye diseases widespread in Azerbaijan.[1] For many years Akhundova-Bagirbekova worked as an ophthalmologist in the Baku leper colony.[2]
Akhundova-Bagirbekova played an important role in the development and improvement of ophthalmology in Azerbaijan.[4] Under her guidance, many doctoral and candidate dissertations in the field of ophthalmology were defended.[1]
Akhundova-Bagirbekova was awarded several orders and medals, as well as the title of Honored Scientist of Azerbaijan.[1]
Sona Akhundova-Bagirbekova died in 1982.[2]