Aravind-Coimbatore, 14^th April 2025

Organised by Aravind-Coimbatore, a skill development workshop was conducted for first-year trainees, focusing on enhancing eight key skills essential for their professional growth. These included hand hygiene, instilling eye drops, objective refraction using an autorefractometer, measuring visual acuity, lens power neutralisation using a digital lensometer, camp preparation and refraction cubicle arrangement, objective refraction using streak retinoscopy, and muscle balance evaluation.

To ensure effective engagement and interaction, participants were divided into eight groups, each focusing on a specific skill. This allowed them to explore, practise, and develop their assigned skills through interactive activities and discussions.

The trainees also gained valuable insights from one another through teamwork, promoting a collaborative learning environment. The programme also served as an opportunity to build confidence, showcase talent, and strengthen bonds between seniors and juniors. At the end of the workshop, the three best-performing teams were selected and rewarded.

Aravind-Madurai, 11-13 April 2025

As part of the jubilee celebrations, the Dept. of Vitreo-Retinal Services, Aravind-Madurai, conducted a three-day internal CME, offering in-depth insights into the latest advancements and best practices in retinal investigations. The programme featured informative theoretical sessions covering essential topics such as OCT, FFA, OCTA, ERG, EOG, OCT RNFL, B-Scan and ASOCT. A specialised session on FFA emergency handling was also conducted, along with detailed discussions on report interpretation.

Participants gained hands-on experience in uploading images to the EMR system, enhancing their skills in digital documentation. An assessment exam was held to evaluate participants’ understanding. Further, practical sessions on tips and tricks for conducting investigations, instrument maintenance, as well as a group discussion were held. A total of 50 MLOPs from across all Aravind centres actively participated in the CME.

Aravind-Salem, 12^th April 2025

Aravind–Salem conducted a training programme in support of the Tamil Nadu Health Project, an initiative by the Government of Tamil Nadu under the Directorate for the Welfare of the Differently Abled.

The session was organised to equip 17 newly appointed coordinators who will be working across the Salem district. Their primary role is to identify individuals with visual impairments and refer them to appropriate services and schemes offered by the government.

The training focused on clarifying the coordinators’ roles and responsibilities, addressing their queries, and enhancing their capacity to engage and motivate potential beneficiaries. The attendees were provided with practical insights into eye care services and the importance of early intervention, with the aim of ensuring effective outreach and maximum utilisation of government benefits by the visually challenged community.

AECS, 7^th April 2025

Aravind’s jubilee celebrations commenced on 4^th April 2025. As part of the celebrations, the official launch of the jubilee logo was held on 7^th April 2025 across all Aravind centres. Chief Medical Officers and leadership members unveiled the logo at their respective centres. To mark the occasion, tree saplings were planted at each centre following the logo launch.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 7^th April 2025

Aravind-Coimbatore inaugurated the state-of-the-art Amblyopia and Binocular Vision Clinic with support from Bynocs, a global leader in AI-based digital therapies for vision. The clinic aims to provide advanced, non-invasive, and patient-friendly treatment options for individuals of all age groups suffering from amblyopia (lazy eye), intermittent squint, and digital eye strain/computer vision syndrome.

This first vision clinic of its kind in India was inaugurated by distinguished international guests from the USA, Dr. Paul Chan, Department Head & Professor of Ophthalmology, Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary, Chicago, Dr. Peter Macintosh, Associate Professor, Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology, University of Illinois, and Dr. Peter Campbell, Edwin and Josephine Knowles Professor of Ophthalmology, Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University. A press meet was organised to mark the occasion, and the event received wide media coverage.

Aravind-Chennai, 7^th April 2025

Aravind-Chennai organised the Cataract Retreat, bringing together key stakeholders to reflect on, evaluate, and reimagine the future of cataract care. The programme was graced by Dr. David Chang, whose presence added significant value to this meaningful exchange of ideas and insights. Through interactive sessions, panel discussions, and breakout groups, participants engaged in in-depth conversations on best practices, emerging technologies, and innovative care models. The retreat served as a platform to critically review current practices, assess performance, and explore opportunities for standardisation and innovation, strengthening the commitment to high-quality, accessible cataract care. The programme was participated by doctors from Aravind across Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirupati, Tirunelveli, Pondicherry, Salem, Udumalpet, Tirupur, Tuticorin, and Dindigul, fostering a spirit of collaboration and shared learning.

Aravind-Chennai, 30^th March 2025

Aravind-Chennai organised a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme for vision centres and city centre teams to enhance their knowledge and professional skills. Topics included basic skills, patient care, efficiency of vision and city centres, common eye diseases, optical care, medical practices, and counselling. Around 25 MLOPs participated.

Theni, 10^th & 20^th March 2025

In collaboration with the Private Ambulance Drivers Association, Theni, an eye donation awareness programme was held on 10th March 2025. Saravanan, Manager, Eye Bank, Aravind–Madurai, highlighted the importance of eye donation and the vital role ambulance drivers play. Eye donation contact number stickers were distributed. A total of 30 ambulance drivers participated.

Similarly, on 20th April 2025, a session on Eye Donation, Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme, and the role of healthcare professionals in eye donation was conducted for doctors and nurses at Government Hospital, Chinnamanur, Theni. A total of 22 personnel attended.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 28^th March 2025

Organised by Aravind-Tirunelveli, the smart vision glasses (SVG) Pro were provided to 75 patients with severe visual impairments. As part of a CSR initiative, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) sponsored these SVGs – assistive AI devices, developed by Smart Health Global, who provide them at an affordable cost.

The programme began with a welcome address by Dr. R. Meenakshi, CMO, Aravind-Tirunelveli. Jinu James, Assistant Manager, IOCL, gave a talk about IOCL and their CSR initiatives. Gomathi Nayagam, representing the Rotary Club of Madras East, spoke about the project DRISTI. Following this, Dr. R. Ramakrishnan shared insights on Aravind’s services.

Ibrahim, an AI engineer from Smart Health Global, Bengaluru, registered the devices with the beneficiaries’ smartphones and trained them on how to use various features of the SVG Pro. Siva Perumal, one of the beneficiaries, shared his experience and the benefits of using the SVGs.

Aravind-Chennai, 25-26 March 2025

Aravind–Chennai hosted the 3^rd batch of AKSHIVIKAS – Aravind Advanced Cataract Course in collaboration with ALCON Phaco Development at ARCORE. The two-day programme aimed at enhancing cataract surgical skills, including lectures, live surgeries, video discussions, and wet lab sessions. A total of 24 ophthalmologists from across India participated.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 30^th March 2025

Aravind–Pondicherry hosted the Glaucoma Conclave focused on extending the boundaries of glaucoma management & surgical excellence. The conclave featuring talks by renowned faculty, case-based discussions, wet lab, and Video Assisted Skill Transfer, covered all the aspects of secondary glaucoma, including post-vitreo-retinal surgery glaucoma, PXF, steroid-induced, neovascular, traumatic glaucoma, neurocutaneous syndromes, and more. Surgical videos on AADI, MIGS, AGV, MP, and TSCPC were discussed. The programme was participated by 98 delegates from various hospitals.

Aravind -Tirunelveli, 30^th March 2025

Organised by Aravind–Tirunelveli for optometry faculty, students, and postgraduates, the CME fostered mutual understanding between the two pillars of children’s health namely paediatrics and ophthalmology.

Dr. R. Meenakshi gave the welcome address, followed by Dr. Ramakrishnan setting the context. Senior refractionists presented on recent developments in the field. Morning sessions were theoretical while afternoon sessions were hands-on. Additionally, a quiz was conducted by E.S. Ayirathammal and prizes were distributed to winners. The programme saw 182 participants, including 2 postgraduates, 13 faculty members, 15 hospital optometrists, and 152 students.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 20-21 March 2025

Aravind-Coimbatore organised a two-day Internal Auditor Certificate Programme, a practical and interactive training session that included pre- and post-evaluations.

Prof. Dr. Akilan Arunkumar, Associate Director, Joseph Eye Hospital, served as the external faculty, while Dr. D. Chandrasekhar, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Coimbatore, and Dr. S. Lalitha Prajna, Chief Microbiologist, Aravind-Madurai, led the internal training. The first day saw the participation of 24 individuals representing various Aravind centres. On the second day, 22 participants from Aravind-Coimbatore attended the training session.

Aravind-Chennai, 19-23 March 2025

Conducted by Aravind-Chennai, the second batch of the five-day Advanced Course at ARCORE, began with a pre-assessment test and concluded with a post-assessment, and feedback session.

The first two days featured comprehensive ophthalmology lectures, OSCEs, a quiz contest, and a panel discussion on key highlights of the fellowship. The latter half of the programme focused on surgical training, including demonstrations and hands-on sessions in both dry and wet labs. Live cataract surgeries were performed by Dr. Haripriya, followed by discussions on surgical videos submitted by participants. Dr. Parag K. Shah, Medical Consultant, Paediatric Retina and Ocular Oncology Services, Aravind-Coimbatore, delivered a lecture on Retinoblastoma and ROP.

The programme was attended by 15 postgraduate students from Aravind Eye Hospitals in Salem, Tirupati, and Chennai, as well as from institutions across India.

Aravind-Madurai, 21-23 March 2025

Aravind-Madurai conducted an Internal CME on refraction in clinical practice, led by Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi, Advisor, Paediatric Ophthalmology & Vision Rehabilitation Services, Aravind-Madurai, to equip participants with the latest knowledge and techniques in refraction. The first two days featured informative theory sessions, covering a wide range of topics relevant to refraction, helping participants deepen their knowledge. On the third day, the event concluded with a practical, hands-on training session, allowing attendees to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. A total of six training tracks were arranged for hands-on practice, and participants were divided into six groups focusing on, PG Power Neutralisation, Progressive Lens Marking with Layout Card, Binocular Vision Assessment and Binocular Balancing, Duochrome Test, and Central Fields. Additionally, an assessment exam was conducted to evaluate the knowledge gained by participants. The event saw the participation of 55 MLOPs.

Aravind-Chennai, 3^rd March 2025

Andreas Pecher, CEO of Zeiss, along with Miguel Gonzalez, Managing Director of Carl Zeiss India, Dipu Bose, Head of Medical Technology, and other team members from Zeiss, visited Aravind-Chennai. They engaged in discussions with the hospital team and were taken on a tour of the facility, where the genesis of Aravind Eye Care System was presented to them.