Surgical Skills Enhancement Programme

Aravind-Coimbatore, 17-18 December 2025

The Retina Department of Aravind-Coimbatore, in association with Alcon, organised a two-day Surgical Skills Enhancement Programme for final-year vitreoretinal fellows, aimed at improving surgical skills and clinical decision-making in vitreoretinal surgery. The programme was conducted under the guidance of Dr. V. Narendran, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Coimbatore, and Dr. V.R. Saravanan, Chief, Retina-Vitreous Services, Aravind-Coimbatore.

The academic sessions covered key topics such as surgical ergonomics, advanced diagnostic techniques, intraocular fluids and gases, and recent advances in vitrectomy systems. Faculty members also discussed the management of complex retinal conditions, including diabetic tractional retinal detachment, macular holes, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, endophthalmitis, high myopic retinal detachment, open globe injuries, and intraocular foreign bodies.

The programme featured interactive video-based case discussions, exposure to three-dimensional visualisation systems, and hands-on wet lab training using the Alcon Constellation platform. These sessions enabled fellows to gain practical experience and develop strategies to manage intraoperative challenges and complications.

A total of 18 fellows from Aravind Eye Hospitals in Madurai, Chennai, Pondicherry, Tirupati, Tirunelveli, and Coimbatore participated in the programme.