Aravind-Chennai, 25^th January 2026

Aravind-Chennai, in collaboration with AIOS and TNOA, hosted a one-day CME programme titled “ReFocus 2026 – The Refractive Surgery Colloquium”, aimed at empowering practicing ophthalmologists and trainee fellows with the knowledge and skills required to build sustainable and impactful eye care practices. The programme brought together eminent leaders, clinicians, and industry experts. Sessions were conducted in the form of interactive lectures, structured conversations, and expert panel discussions, enabling participants to gain not only theoretical insights but also practical, actionable solutions for everyday clinical practice. A total of 92 participants, including 67 delegates and 25 faculty members, attended the programme.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 23^rd January 2026

A new Vision Centre was opened at Shengottai, aimed to provide accessible, affordable, and comprehensive primary eye care services to the people of Shengottai and the surrounding rural areas. The centre was formally inaugurated by Thiru. Brahmasree R.V. Duraisamy, B.E. (Hons.), in the presence of Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind-Tirunelveli, Dr. R. Meenakshi, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind-Tirunelveli, and Saradha Ramakrishnan. The inauguration ceremony was held in a warm and dignified atmosphere, with the participation of local leaders, community representatives, hospital administrators, and staff members. On the inaugural day, 125 patients were examined.

The Vision Centre is equipped with essential diagnostic facilities and supported by trained AOPs. By bringing eye care closer to the community, the centre will significantly reduce travel time, cost, and delays in treatment for patients in and around Shengottai.

Theni, 20^th January 2026

The Rotary Aravind International Eye Bank (RAIEB), Aravind-Madurai, conducted an Eye Donation Awareness Programme at the Government Hospital, Cumbum. The session was led by D. Saravanan, Manager, Eye Bank, Aravind-Madurai, who spoke on eye donation, the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme, and the vital role of healthcare professionals in promoting eye donation. A total of 30 participants, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, attended the programme.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 13^th January 2026

Organised by Aravind-Coimbatore, the Pongal CME featured a debate on “மருத்துவ சிகிச்சை மகத்துவம் பெறுவது திறமையினாலா, கருணை கலந்த திறமையினாலா” (Does medical treatment gain its greatness through skill alone, or through skill blended with compassion?). AOPs from OPD, Refraction, MRD, and Counselling took part. Each team, comprising four AOPs, was led by Rajakumari, Counselling Coordinator, and Gokila from the Injection Counselling team.  Priya Senthil facilitated the session and delivered the concluding remarks.

The programme helped participants recognise their role in delivering compassionate care and reinforced the essential place of empathy in patient-centred healthcare.”

Aravind-Coimbatore, 12-17 January 2026

In observance of Road Safety Week, a comprehensive road safety awareness programme was conducted at Aravind-Coimbatore, aimed at educating hospital staff, patients, and children. Organised under the theme “Road Safety Begins with You. Let’s Lead by Example,” an interactive exhibition was arranged, showcasing informative charts on road safety measures, traffic signboards, traumatic optic neuropathy, cranial nerve palsies, and visual field defects. A specially created real-life road model, complete with a car, ambulance, school bus, and traffic signals, drew particular attention. A questionnaire on road safety awareness was prepared, and a QR code was shared with staff and interested patients. Colour vision screening was also conducted as part of the programme. Adding an element of entertainment, postgraduate students enacted a road safety mime titled “PGs on the Road – Where Actions Speak Louder Than Horns,” which conveyed key messages.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 12^th January 2026

Angaadi 2026 at Aravind-Pondicherry was organised as a vibrant celebration of community and joy, featuring the sale of delicious food, fun games, and festive Pongal vibes. All proceeds from the event were directed to the Residents Social Responsibility (RSR) Fund, supporting Aravind’s mission.

Aravind-Chennai, 11^th January 2026

Organised by Aravind-Chennai, the Pongal CME began with an introduction of the Aurosiksha website to AOPs by Renuga, Admin Assistant, Academics. This was followed by a session on Zero Topical Antibiotic Prophylaxis (Z-TAB) for Phaco Cataract Surgery by Sr. Sangeetha. Subsequently, Arun from IT explained and demonstrated the Dhrishti App. A motivational talk titled “A Positive Attitude Begins with Gratitude” was delivered by Nagalakshmi Shanmugami, a motivational speaker. The programme also included sessions on “Communication in Healthcare” by Riyah, Manager, Patient Care, Aravind-Chennai and “Patient Safety and Patient-Centred Care” by Nivetha Shree, Quality Assistant, Aravind-Chennai. The event concluded with a quiz on Hospital-Acquired ACCO (HA-ACCO).

Aravind-Madurai, 11^th January 2026

Aravind-Madurai organised a one-day training programme for transport drivers with the objective of strengthening knowledge and skills related to safe driving practices, traffic regulations, vehicle maintenance, fuel efficiency, and passenger safety.

Dr. G. Natchiar, Director Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care System (AECS), spoke on the hospital’s mission and the responsibility of each individual in fulfilling it. Dr. R. Kim, CMO, Aravind-Madurai, addressed the gathering on “A New Journey in Our Work.” Dr. Usha Kim, Regional HR Director, Madurai Region, spoke on professional conduct expected of hospital drivers. Singaram and his team conducted a technical session on Eicher vehicle maintenance. A.A. Muthu addressed recent traffic rules, and Philex spoke on Tempo Traveller maintenance. John, PRC Trainer, led an engaging session on driving techniques and diesel efficiency. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Siva, followed by a group photograph with Dr. G. Natchiar.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 10^th January 2026

A motivational session titled “வெறும் வேலை அல்ல… ஒரு வாழ்வை மாற்றும் பயணம்” (Not just a routine job… a journey to transform lives) was conducted by Aravind-Tirunelveli for the second-year AOPs. The session led by R. Ganesh, Founder, Life Improvement through Mind Engineering (LIME), helped trainees understand that their role at AECS is not merely about daily duties, but about being part of a noble mission that transforms the lives of thousands of visually impaired patients. Through real-life experiences, thought-provoking examples, and interactive discussions, trainees were encouraged to view their profession as a lifelong journey of compassion, discipline, and continuous learning.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 9^th January 2026

The HR Department of Aravind-Coimbatore conducted a session on “Karate: Life Skills and Self-Defence for Women” for the AOPs, led by Karthikeyan Natarajan, a recipient of the Best Coach Award from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and a World Karate Federation judge, and his team from the Zen Karate School of India. The session began with an introductory talk, followed by practical demonstrations conducted in two batches and facilitated by Karthikeyan’s team.

During the session, Karthikeyan explained the vital role karate plays in personal safety while also enhancing self-discipline. The first stage of the self-defence programme will run for three months, with two classes per week, giving participants the opportunity to build foundational self-defence skills and confidence.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 9-11 January 2026

A three-day comprehensive review was organised at Aravind-Pondicherry, where HR members and LAICO faculty critically assessed departmental performance using quality indicators, annual statistics, patient satisfaction data, medical errors, manpower, resources, and academic activities. Clinical services were evaluated in relation to population needs and demand generation. Last year’s action plans and their implementation were also reviewed, leading to focused action plans for the year ahead.

The assessment team included Dr. S. Padmavathy, Regional HR Director & Senior Consultant, Neuro-ophthalmology, Aravind-Tirunelveli; Dr Ganesh Babu BS, Faculty, LAICO; Sr. S. Shanmuga Sundari, Vision Centre Manager, Aravind-Tirunelveli, and Damien, Manager, Patient Care, Aravind-Tirupati.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 8-9 January 2026,

A two-day training programme on the implementation of ECO 2.0 Standards was organised at Aravind-Coimbatore for four Aravind centres in Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Salem, and Thanjavur. The programme aimed to ensure a clear understanding and uniform implementation of the updated ECO 2.0 guidelines.

The resource persons for the programme included Dr. Akilan Arunkumar, External Faculty, Joseph Eye Hospital, and internal faculty members Dr. D. Chandrasekhar, Lead NABH-AECS and Convenor of the programme, Dr. Shivkumar Chandrasekharan, Chief, IOL & Cataract Services, Aravind-Tirunelveli, and Dr. Amrutha Sindhu, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Coimbatore. The training covered an overview of ECO 2.0, key changes from the previous version, documentation requirements, staff roles and responsibilities, and compliance monitoring. A total of 32 participants, including medical consultants, hospital administrators, quality managers, staff nurses, and AOPs from various departments, attended the programme.

Aravind-Salem, 8^th January 2026

The new Operation Theatre building at Aravind-Salem has commenced operations with the installation and launch of advanced sterilisation facilities. The autoclave services were formally inaugurated by Dr. B. Manohar Babu, CMO, Aravind-Salem, and Dr. J. Anuja, Medical Consultant, Cornea & Refractive Surgery Services, Aravind-Salem.

The new facility is equipped with two double-door autoclaves and one high-speed autoclave. These autoclaves support six different sterilisation cycles, including instrument cycle, linen cycle, liquid cycle, Bowie-Dick test, and leak test, ensuring high standards of infection control and patient safety.

Aravind-Madurai, 7-8 January 2026

Conducted for over three decades during the first week of January, the Annual Outreach Planning Meeting brings together outreach teams from all Aravind tertiary hospitals to review the previous year’s performance and plan strategies for the year ahead. This year’s meeting focused not only on performance review but also on in-depth discussions about the challenges faced in 2025, with valuable inputs and suggestions gathered from the teams.

The meeting formally began with a welcome address by Dr. R. Kim. R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Senior Manager-Clinical Services, Aravind-Madurai, set the context by highlighting the importance of building strong rapport with community partners. In his keynote address, Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, emphasised that outreach teams must understand community needs and plan outreach activities scientifically. In her special address and felicitation, Dr. G. Natchiar appreciated the outreach teams.

Thulasiraj Ravilla, Advisor and Director-Operations, AECS, addressed the outreach teams on the “Eye Camps 2.0” initiative, focusing on enhancing diagnostic capabilities and digitising case sheets. Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind-Tirunelveli, spoke on “Using the Community as a Resource for Creating Awareness on Eye Health.”

The meeting also featured individual organiser presentations, panel discussions, group activities, and sessions on various outreach-related topics by Vinoth Kumar, Research Associate, LAICO, Selvaganesh, Senior Business Analyst, Auroitech; Deepa Krishnan, Senior Business Analyst, Auroitech; and Camp Medical Officers. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Lalitha Prajna, Chief Microbiologist, Aravind-Madurai. The meeting was attended by 73camp staff from all Aravind tertiary centres.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 7-10 January 2026

A four-day Ophthalmic Equipment Enhancement Programme was held at Aravind-Coimbatore, aimed at enhancing the skills of ophthalmologists and ophthalmic technicians. The programme focused on advanced diagnostic and surgical equipment, including operating microscopes, OCT, fundus cameras, ophthalmic lasers, and Humphrey Field Analysers (HFA). The sessions were led by Santhosh Ghade, an expert from Carl Zeiss, who guided participants in equipment operation, maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and clinical applications. Participants gained valuable hands-on experience to strengthen diagnostic accuracy, optimise equipment performance, and ultimately improve the quality of patient care.

Aravind-Madurai, 6^th January 2026,

As part of the My Life, My Pride initiative, tailoring classes for the second batch of AOPs were held at Aravind-Madurai from July 2025 to December 2025. The trainees who completed the course received their certificates during a special programme. During the event, a total of 24 AOPs proudly showcased the garments they had stitched during the training period.

Aravind-Chennai, 6-10 January 2026

The 5^th batch of the five-day Īkshana – Comprehensive Capsule for Postgraduates (Phase 2) was conducted at the ARCORE Training Centre with the objective of providing postgraduate ophthalmology students with a strong foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical surgical skills.

Key highlights of the programme included guest lectures by Dr. Umapathi N. Thirugnanam, Neurologist, Singapore National Eye Centre, on ocular motility, Dr. Anand Parthasarathy, Chief Surgeon, Centre for Vision and Eye Surgery, Chennai, who presented surgical videos on advanced corneal procedures including DSEK and DMEK, Dr. Priti Uday, Oculoplasty and Facial Aesthetic Surgeon, DRR Eye Hospital, who spoke on CT and MRI in orbital disorders, and Dr. Preethi Mohanty, Medical Consultant, Cataract & IOL Services, Aravind-Tirupati, who delivered a session on the management of phacoemulsification complications and the principles of anterior vitrectomy, supported by surgical videos.

A total of 36 postgraduate students participated in the programme, representing a diverse range of institutions from cities such as Ernakulam, Bagalkot, Calicut, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram, along with postgraduate students from Aravind Eye Hospitals, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, and Chennai.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 6^th January 2026

As part of Aravind’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Retina Services of Aravind-Coimbatore organised an online webinar titled “Macular Disorders – Why and When to Refer?” The programme aimed to enhance awareness and strengthen clinical decision-making regarding the timely referral of macular pathologies in routine ophthalmic practice.

The academic sessions featured expert deliberations by eminent retina specialists on common yet vision-threatening macular conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema, vitreomacular interface disorders, and central serous chorioretinopathy. The speakers emphasised practical referral guidelines, red-flag signs, and the role of multimodal imaging in early diagnosis and optimal management.

An interactive online quiz on macular disorders, conducted by Dr. D. Chandrasekhar, Consultant & NABH Coordinator, Aravind-Coimbatore. The webinar witnessed active participation from consultants, fellows, and postgraduate trainees across the country, fostering lively discussions and meaningful academic exchange.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 4^th January 2026

Sponsors Day at Aravind-Coimbatore was organised to strengthen relationships, acknowledge the contributions of camp sponsors, and reinforce the vision of providing high-quality, affordable eye care to all. Dr. V. Narendran, CMO, Aravind-Coimbatore, delivered the welcome address and highlighted the invaluable role sponsors play in supporting outreach activities.

A series of informative medical sessions was conducted by senior consultants, covering key ophthalmic topics such as advances in cataract surgery, diabetic retinopathy, eye injuries, eye banking, and the impact of the myopia epidemic.

An engaging Kahoot quiz on the objectives of outreach services and the life of Dr. V was conducted by Dr. D. Chandrasekhar, followed by a video presentation highlighting Infinite Vision and the inspiring journey of Dr. V. The Chief Guest, Dr. Ganesh Ramachandran, delivered a motivational address.  The programme concluded with a feedback session. A vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Rodney J. Morris, Camp Medical Officer, Aravind-Coimbatore. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 198 sponsors from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 3-4 January 2026

To inculcate the spirit of teamwork and patient-centred care, the Aravind-Pondicherry conducted a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) programme for optometrists, coordinators, and supervisors. The programme focused on enhancing clinical staff knowledge in patient care, quality standards, and teamwork, while also engaging participants in a variety of team-building activities. The sessions were effectively conducted by Dhivya Ramasamy, Executive Director, LAICO, who joined virtually, and Syed Ali, Senior Faculty, LAICO.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 2-4 January 2026

At the Hackathon held in Aravind-Pondicherry, doctors and engineers came together for an intensive three-day programme, transforming real clinical challenges into impactful solutions across the Clinical, Surgical, Patient Care, and Teaching & Training domains. Among the 169 problem statements received, 40 were shortlisted and consolidated into 27 final challenges. A total of 260 applications were received from nine institutions, including 81 engineers, of whom 77 were selected to participate.

Dr. Vitthal Satav, Ravi Kiran Manapuram, Prof. Dr. P. Arulmozhivarman, Dr. Balachandran A, Dr. R. Kim, and Ramnath R.K. served as judges, sharing their expertise and encouragement throughout the event. Prizes worth up to Rs. 50,000 were awarded to the winning teams. The first prize went to the Madurai team for Time-Lapse Tomography (TLT), followed by the second prize to the Madurai team for Sculpt Eye. The third prize was jointly awarded to Steriswipe by the Madurai team and Pro Shield by the Pondicherry team. The fourth prize went to Lazy EyeTrack by the Pondicherry team, the fifth prize to Lidora by the Madurai team, the sixth prize to Auro Connect by the Chennai and Madurai team, and the seventh prize to MAPSS by the Pondicherry team.

LAICO, 1^st January 2026

As part of the annual Resident Social Responsibility (RSR) programme, residents from Aravind extended their support to the Rehabilitation Centre for Blind Women in Trichy through the Vaanavil initiative. The event featured an exhibition-cum-sale of handicrafts, providing the women with a platform to showcase their skills and earn sustainable livelihoods. The initiative successfully raised over Rs. 4.11 lakh, reinforcing the impact of community-driven empowerment beyond clinical care.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 31^st December 2025

The first Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) at Aravind-Pondicherry was inaugurated by Dr. G. Natchiar. The unit has been established to provide all essential research investigations in a single dedicated location.

The CTU is exclusively equipped for clinical trials, featuring auto refraction, ETDRS charting, trial lens sets, contrast sensitivity testing, iCare 200, Humphrey Field Analyzer, Remidio fundus camera, photo slit lamp with LED unit, and a specular microscope. This facility strengthens standardised, high-quality ophthalmic research and enhances the centre’s capacity to conduct advanced clinical studies.

Aravind-Madurai, 1-30 December 2025

Three technicians, two from Ethiopia and one from India, attended the 139^th batch of the in-person Ophthalmic Instrument Maintenance course. The trainees were provided with extensive hands-on experience in handling and maintaining various ophthalmic instruments. As part of the programme, they visited Aravind-Tirunelveli.

They were also trained in maintaining essential documentation, including breakdown maintenance records, spare parts management, asset management, and the upkeep of calibration, AMC, and CMC details. Dr. R. Kim distributed certificates and tools to the trainees during the valedictory function.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 24^th December 2025 – 10^th January 2026

The Department of Biomedical Engineering, Aravind-Coimbatore, conducted a 15-day Ophthalmic Equipment Internship Programme for Biomedical Engineering students, aimed at providing practical knowledge and real-time exposure to eye-care technologies used in hospital settings.

The internship featured classroom sessions, live demonstrations, and extensive hands-on training in a real hospital environment. Experienced biomedical engineers from Aravind guided the trainees and shared valuable insights into equipment handling, safety practices, and quality assurance. During the programme, they were trained in the working principles, operation, calibration, and basic maintenance of various ophthalmic and medical equipment, including slit lamps, autorefractors, tonometers, ophthalmoscopes, fundus cameras, HFA, phaco machines, OCT systems, ECG machines, and surgical microscopes.

Aravind-Coimbatore

As part of Aravind’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Cornea Department of Aravind-Coimbatore organised a webinar on “Recent Trends in the Approach and Management of Keratoconus.” The programme featured insightful lectures by eminent cornea specialists, covering a comprehensive range of topics – from the current understanding of keratoconus and updated diagnostic methodologies to advanced imaging techniques and the latest innovations in medical, surgical, and corneal cross-linking management strategies.

The scientific session was followed by a highly engaging panel discussion, moderated by Dr. R. Revathi, Medical Consultant, Cornea Services, Aravind-Coimbatore and Dr. Radhika, Medical Consultant, during which complex clinical scenarios and evolving treatment paradigms were deliberated in depth. The webinar received an overwhelming response, with over 100 enthusiastic participants, including consultants, fellows, and postgraduate trainees from across the country.