Aravind Eye Care System conferred the inaugural Dr. G. Venkataswamy Endowment Oration Award on the world renowned vision researcher and ophthalmology professor Dr. Morton F. Goldberg on January 9, 2009 at a function held at GVERI premises. The award was given in recognition of Dr. Goldberg’s outstanding contributions to vision sciences and service to humanity, in taking it a step forward towards the goal of eradicating blindness.

Dr. Krishnadass, CMO, Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai welcomed the gathering.

Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman, AECS, while introducing Dr. Goldberg referred him as his teacher, mentor and family friend who has played a significant role in shaping him as a retina – vitreous specialist.

Dr. Goldberg in his oration award lecture showered encomiums on Dr. V who, he said, was a generous person with a remarkable clairvoyance devoting his entire life to other people. The vision scientist dealt elaborately on Persistent Fetal Vasculature and Persistent Hyperplasic Primary Vitreous with ample clinical photographs.

After the lecture Dr. P.N. presented the award instituted by Aravind Eye Care System to perpetuate the memory of Dr. V to Dr. Goldberg, who became its first receipient.

Dr. S. Rathinam, chief of Uvea clinic, proposed a vote of thanks.

Following doctors from Aravind Eye Hospitals participated in the prestigious AIOS conference:

Dr. Usha Kim
-   Recent trends in the management of malignant orbital tumors
-   Managing Residual Ptosis 
   she co- chaired the session on “Update on Proptosis”. 

Dr.Vipul, Dr.Usha Kim, Dr.Svati and Dr.Josepine 
-    Screened a Video Film on Pseudo Tumor.

Dr. Akash, Dr.Usha Kim, Dr. Urvashi & Dr. Vipul
-   Clinical study and outcome of Lacrimal gland masses.
    This was given the “Best Paper Award”.

Dr.P.Sundaresan
 -   Glaucoma -Hereditary patterns based on Genetic Mutations and Chromosome alterations” a crash course of Genetics Ophthalmology. 

Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi
 -   Paediatric Ophthalmology – Speculation of the Future
 -   Management of Paralytic Strabismus
 -   Strabismus Evaluation – A Step by Step Approach

Dr. Haripriya
-    Management of Subluxated cataracts using torsional ultrasound
-    Quality Assurance- Monitoring and Evaluation
-    Instruction Course-Ectopia Lentis- Modified Capsule Tension Rings
-    Court Marshall in Phaco surgery- Iris Sutured IOL

Dr.R.Kim
-    Screening for DR- What can (and should) you do?     
-    Biomedical Devices and Management of Retinal Disorder
-    The current role of surgery in AMD management                      

Dr.Naresh Babu
-    23Gauge Pars plana lensectomy for ectopia lentis
-    23-20G pars plana vitrectomy for posterior segment intraocular foreign body
-    Comparison of core pars plana vitrectomy  versus PPV with silicon oil injection in endophthalmitis
-    Sutureless scleral fixation of posteriorly dislocated PCIOLS

Dr.Jay Kalliath
-    Pars plana vitrectomy for parafoveal macular tractional retinal detachment

Dr. Praveen Muraly
-    23Gauge Pars plana lensectomy for ectopia lentis

Dr. Ramakrishnan
-    Visual outcomes and complications following intraocular lens exchange in paediatric population

Dr.Rajesh Prabu 
-    Fixation targets for vision assessment in children
-    Visual outcomes and complications following surgery for ectopia lentis in pediatric population with use of cionnis endocapular ring

Dr. V.Narendran
-    Epidemiology of Age-related Macular Degeneration
-    Differential diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity

Dr.V.R. Saravanan
-  Alternate techniques of Intra Ocular Foreign Body Removal

Dr. Parag K. Shah
-    Ophthalmic Brachytherapy – using Indegenous BARC Ocu-Prosta Iodine 125 seed for choridal melanomas
-    Recent advances in Retinopathy of Prematurity (Excluding Anti VEG F drugs)

Dr. Varsha V Prabhu
-    Low dose IVTA followed by Macular Photocoagulation for Diabetic Macular Edema – An eperience from the South Indian population.

Dr. Dheepha M
-    Management, visual outcome and prognostic factors of posterior segment Intra Ocular Foreign Body Removal.

Dr. R.D. Ravindran

-          Vision Centre - Strategies to Enhance Uptake of Services in Rural Areas

-          Efficiency and Effectiveness in Rural Care

 

Dr. R. Venkatesh

-          Newer Tonometers - Are They Useful?

-          Blebless Filtering Surgeries – Non Penetrating Glaucoma Filtering Surgery: Are We Ready?

-          Non Phaco Techniques

 

Dr. K. Thiruvengada Krishnan

-          Dry Eye Comprehensive Management

 

Dr. Preeti Mohanty

-          Results of foldable IOL Implantation After Posterior Capsular Tear during Phacoemulsification

 

Dr. Sabyasachi Sengupta

-     Risk Factors for Intraocular Penetration of Caterpillar Setae in Ophthalmia Nodosa

-    Mitomycin C Augmented Trabeculectomy combined with single site MSICS – Retrospective Analysis

Poster:

-         Safety & Efficacy of Phacoemulsification Compared With MSICS in Eyes with White Cataract by a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

 

Dr. Prathmesh G. Mehta

Poster:

-          Anesthetic Management of Case of Homocystinuria with Anteriorly  Subluxated Lens

  

Dr. Sanjeevani

-          Incidence and Outcomes of Dematiceous vs. Filamentous Fungal    Keratitis – A Retrospective Analysis

 

Dr. Praveen Dhanapal

Poster:

-          Ocular Decompression Retinopathy – A Case Series

 

Dr. Manoj Gautam

-     Incidence and Timing of Intraocular Hypertension after Intravitreal  Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection

Mr. Sanil Joseph along with Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Dr. Haripriya and Dr. P. M. Aravind participated in an instruction course – "Quality Assurance in Eye Care Delivery".

  International Conference on Recent Advances in Ophthalmic Genetics and Gene Therapy was organized by Narayana Nethralaya, Banglore. DR. VR. Muthukkaruppan made a presentation on Ocular Surface Reconstruction Using Cultured Autologous Limbal/ Buccal Epithelium with known stem cell content. Dr. P. Sundaresan made a presentation on mutations that are common cause of Leber Congenital amaurosis in North America and rare in Southern India. Other research scholars from AMRF who participated in the conference are Mr. Sushil Kumar Dubey and Mr. Anshuman Varma.

The valedictory function of the 64th Instruments maintenance course was held on 11th Jan 2010. It was a special course exclusively for the Instruments maintenance technicians of Aravind Eye Hospitals. Eight MLOPs participated in the course. One by one the trainees described their activities during the training period. Dr. G. Natchiar, Vice-Chairman and Director, Human Resources handed over the certificates to them. Mr. S. Vivek, Chief Instructor of the course presented the trainees. Prof. R. Raju, Professor of Management Studies (Retired) of Mannar Thirumalai College, Madurai gave the valedictory address. In his address he emphasised the need for the development various soft skills in order to succeed in any endeavor.

Inaugural function of the new building for Community Eye Clinic with modern facilities at Sankarankovil was held on 18-01-2010 Monday in the presence of Dr.G. Natchiar, Vice Chairman and Dr. Ramakrishnan, CMO, Aravind Eye Hospital, Tirunelveli. It is a great boon for the people in and around the town.

  A lecture on the importance of physical activity for the health and prevention of heart diseases was given by our guest Dr.Dick Leukar, a cardiologist from New Heart Centre USA at AEH, Auditorium, Madurai. The lecture was attended by the staff across all Aravind Eye Hospitals through teleconference. It was inspiring, informative and created awareness among the participants.

60th Republic Day was celebrated at Madurai and other centres with patriotic fervor. At Madurai Dr.M.Srinivasan, Director, AECS, hoisted the National Flag at the Main Hospital premises. At Aravind – Tirunelveli, Chief Medical Officer Dr.R.Ramakrishnan hoisted the National Flag at 7.00am and delivered an inspirational speech. Dr. R. Venkatesh, Deputy Chief Medical Officer hoisted the National Flag at Aravind Pondicherry followed by National Anthem.

Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore celebrated 13th hospital day on 30th January 2010. Dr. Anita Raghavan, Medical Consultant delivered the welcome address followed by presentation of the annual report by Dr. V.Narendran, CMO. The Chief Guest of the occasion was Ms.Vanitha Mohan, Executive Director, Pricol Ltd., and the Managing Trustee of Siruthuli.

Our Chairman Dr. P.Namperumalsamy, in his guest address highlighted the reasons for our hospital’s success - sincerity, ownership, and hard work with committed service. He also commented on what made “Aravind” staff stand out from others.

Ms.Vanitha Mohan and Dr. P.Namperumalsamy distributed cash awards to the staff members, as a mark of honor and recognition. Following a cultural programme, Dr.V.R.Saravanan proposed a vote of thanks.

Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, under TIFAC- CORE in Diabetic Retinopathy has organized an "International Symposium on Diabetic Retinopathy & Vascular Diseases" from 9th -10th January 2009 at LAICO. Around 180 participants including ophthalmologists, postgraduates, consultants, diabetologists from all over India participated in the symposium. Eminent international and national faculty delivered lectures in the symposium.
 

The Human Resource Department of Aravind Eye Care System organised a two day Human Resource Management – Best Practices in Health Care on January 6 &7 at LAICO. Around 120 participants attended the conference. Chairman Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, inaugurated the conference. Dr. G. Natchiar, Director HR gave an overview of this conference. The highlight of the conference was that it had eminent speakers from national and international health sectors like Kovai Medical Centre, Apollo speciality hospitals both Chennai and Madurai, Chelsea Community Hospital in USA, Sankara Eye Hospital, Coimbatore and Manipal Health System. The conference covered the key practices of HR Such as - Best practices in recruitment - Employee empowerment and retention - Challenges in franchising in health care - Benchmarking in health care All the speakers shared their rich experience and expertise. The conference was very informative and highly useful for the participants and was well appreciated.

Mr. Sanil Joseph and Dr. P.M. Aravind visited Ram Mohan Mission Eye Hospital, Prantik, West Bengal on 25th January for Needs Assessment as part of the consultancy project. They also visited a satellite centre at Asansol as part of the assessment.

Dr. Ramakrishnan, Chief Medical Officer of the Aravind Eye Hospital, Tiunelveli and Mr. Ganesh Babu, Senior Manager – Systems & IT, LAICO visited the EMLC - Eye Micro and Lasik Centre, Chinsura, West Bengal from 24th -25th January, 2010 for the Needs assessment.

 

Course title	Training Centre	Total number trained as on December 2009	Enrollments for January 2010
Long Term Fellowship Courses-For Ophthalmologists
Fellowship in Glaucoma	Madurai	23	2
	Tirunelveli	8	0
	Coimbatore	10	0
	Pondicherry	2	0
Short Term Fellowship Courses - For Ophthalmologists
Short term fellowship in Orbit & oculoplasty	Madurai	4	1
Short Term Courses - For Ophthalmologists
Diagnosis and Management of Glaucoma	Madurai	105	1
	Tirunelveli	91	2
	Coimbatore	73	0
Phacoemulsification	Madurai	107	1
	Tirunelveli	55	1
	Coimbatore	69	1
	Pondicherry	14	0
Small Incision Cataract Surgery	Madurai	132	1
	Tirunelveli	94	1
	Coimbatore	108	1
	Pondicherry	13	0
Lasers in Diabetic Retinopathy	Madurai	228	2
	Coimbatore	210	3
Paramedical Courses
Short term Training in Optical Dispensing	LAICO	136	8
Management Courses - Non Clinical Courses
Management Priorities in Eye Care Delivery	LAICO	198	20

Aurolab participated in the Joint Meeting of the 15th Afro Asian Congress of Ophthalmology (AACO) and 68th Annual Conference of All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) held at Science City, Kolkatta from 21st to 24 January, 2010. Aurolab used the opportunity to introduce its new products "Aurolac" – Lacrimal Intubation set, "NanoCut" - Superior Technology Blades, Auroprost -  Latanoprost  0.005% w/v  and also introduced the Metal injector for Aurovue lens (Hydrophobic foldable lens) to the ophthalmic community. Aurolab also strongly promoted the other existing products. The stall attracted good number of delegates and the booth staff comprising of marketing team members, product managers and division heads responded to their queries. It was visited by some of our international dealers, customers and prominent doctors from across the country. The sales counter also attracted good number of customers and almost all the Aravind Publications books were sold. Members of the Aurolab team also participated in the Aravind Alumni Meet held on January 23 at M.P. Birla Aravind Eye Hospital, Kolkatta.

  Aurolab celebrated the Republic Day in the premises. The function started in the morning with the Tamil Thai Valthu. National flag was hoisted by Dr. P. Balakrishnan, Managing Director, Aurolab who delivered the Republic Day speech. It was followed by oathtaking by the staff members of Aurolab and finally sweets were distributed to the gathering.

Aurolab celebrated its 18th annual day on 30th January 2010 with a colorful function. Senior Members from Aravind, Board member of Aurolab, well wishers and friends of Aravind attended the function. The function started at 6 pm with prayer song followed by welcome address. Dr.P.Balakrishnan presented the Annual report and Mr.R.D.Sriram gave a road map for the year 2010-11. Aurolab rewarded its longtime employees with cash awards. Dr.S.Aravind delivered an inspirational speech which left the audience highly motivated. Cultural events followed which entertained the employees and guests equally. The celebrations came to an end with a fabulous dinner.

  The ISO certification audit was conducted from January 18 to 20 by UL India Ltd., Bangalore.  The Lead Auditor Mr. Manickam and Co auditor Mr. Mahadevan conducted the audit which was completed successfully.  In this audit, Aurolab got ISO 9001:2000 & ISO 13485:2003 certificates for Absorbable suture and ptosis sling. 

 

January - 2010
Hospitals	Madurai	Theni	Tirunelveli	Coimbatore	Pondicherry	Total
HOSPITAL OUT-PATIENT VISITS
Paying (New & Review)	34,004	5,656	17,349	22,948	14,361	94,318
Free (Direct walk-in)	9,222	1,459	4,347	6,601	3,926	25,555
OUTREACH OUT PATIENTS
Regular Eye Camps	6,683	2,917	4,298	3,972	3,900	21,770
Diabetic Retinopathy camps	389	174	-	1,693	1,177	3,433
Refraction Camps	1,000	692	1,089	532	1,064	4,377
School Screening	3,561	-	520	-	-	4,081
Paediatric Camps	-	294	-	-	-	294
Awareness Camp	-	-	-	-	-	-
Vision Centres	3,427	3,267	2,546	1,325	1,195	11,760
Community Eye Clinics	2,928	1,129	2,488	2,019	-	8,564
Total OP Examinations	17,988	8,473	10,941	9,541	7,336	54,279
SURGERIES
Paying	3,775	330	654	4,535	420	9,714
Free (including the subsidized camp surgeries)	1,463	188	448	1,946	772	4,817
Camp	796	199	563	507	492	2,557
Total Surgeries	6,034	717	1,665	6,988	1,242	16,646

- Mr. Vinod P Mitta, an MPH student at the Harvard School of Public Health visited Aravind-Madurai from January 3 to 24 to engage in research of the AECS from a public health perspective. He also worked with the LAICO Team in the analysis and writing of a couple of health systems research studies.

- A Team of students from University of IOWA (Group 3-Maternal and infant health in South India) visited Aravind-Madurai on January 01, 2010 to learn about Aravind model.

- A team of 45 members of Pegasus and ABB Team visited Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry on 27th January 2010. Dr. R.Venkatesh, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry presented an overview of Aravind Eye Care System and interacted with them.