Aravind continuously supports its patients on their resilient journeys, offering hope and ensuring a happy life. In addressing Retinoblastoma (RB), Aravind has established a platform called the Survivors Meet for Retinoblastoma survivors since 2017. This annual one-day event allows RB patients to connect with fellow survivors, share their recovery experiences, and spread hope. The recent Survivors Meet, held on 1st June, gathered around 200 enthusiastic survivors and their families from Tamil Nadu, and Kerala who received treatment at Aravind-Madurai. During the programme, survivors stood victoriously on stage, sharing the joy of achieving successful careers as doctors, engineers, government officers, and more. Their stories serve as an encouragement for young survivors to focus on their studies and believe in themselves.

Aravind also engages with the public to raise awareness about eye problems. Observing awareness days, such as Myopia, Retinoblastoma Awareness Week, etc., helps the community adopt preventive measures and learn how to manage these conditions.

Additionally, Continuous Medical Education (CME) programmes were held at Aravind Eye Hospitals in Salem, Coimbatore, and Pondicherry, updating ophthalmologists on clinical advancements. This on-going education ensures enhanced eye care for all.

News about these and much more occurred between 15th May and 15th June are featured in this edition.

Aravind-Salem, 2nd June

The one-day CME for ophthalmologists, postgraduates, and microbiologists was held at Hotel Radisson in Salem. The CME focused on the role of conventional and molecular methods for microbial identification in diagnosing ocular infections, along with interesting case scenarios. Dr. M. Srinivasan, Director Emeritus, Aravind Eye Care System (AECS), delivered the keynote address on corneal infections. Insights were shared by internal faculty members including Dr. Viji Rangarajan, Chief, Orbit and Oculoplasty, Aravind – Coimbatore, Dr. Siddharth, Medical Consultant, Cataract and IOL Clinic, Aravind-Coimbatore, Dr. Ram Rammohan, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Coimbatore, Dr. Balamurugan Medical Consultant, Cataract Services, Aravind-Pondicherry, Dr. Suneetha Puneeth, Aravind-Salem, Dr. Anuja, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Salem, Dr. K. Hemalatha, Medical Consultant, Retina-Vitreous Services, Aravind-Salem, and Dr. B. Manohar Babu, CMO, Aravind-Salem. Case presentations were conducted by Dr. Kesav, Dr. Priyadarshini, Dr. Avdhoot, and Dr. Sivaranjini. Additionally, a competitive quiz programme with attractive prizes was conducted by Quiz Masters Dr. Saranya and Dr. Anand from Sankara Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Chennai. Seran, Manager,Patient Care, Aravind-Salem, led the organising team. The programme saw participation from around 80 individuals, including 11 faculty members.

Sivagangai, 4th June

The Rotary Aravind International Eye Bank (RAIEB), Aravind-Madurai conducted an awareness programme at the Government Primary Health Centre in Maravanmangalam, Sivagangai. D. Saravanan, Manager, RAIEB, led a session on the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme, emphasising the role of healthcare professionals in promoting eye donation. The session was attended by 50 participants, including doctors and nurses.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 12th June

Organised by Aravind Coimbatore in association with the Coimbatore Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons (CSOS), at IMA Hall, Coimbatore, the CME featured three sessions: PG’s Case Presentations, Neuro Ophthal, and Retina. The sessions were interactive and received positive feedback from participants. The event saw participation from 90 delegates, including PGs and practitioners from Aravind-Coimbatore, CSOS members, and 18 internal and external faculty members.

 Aravind-Chennai, 31st May

Aravind-Chennai organised “Sarithira Sangamam,” a monthly event for MLOPs, featuring various activities. Dr. Usha Raghavan, Project Consultant, delivered a speech on mythology and epics, highlighting facts, beliefs, and illusions from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, emphasising the importance of moral stories. This was followed by a Thirukkural quiz covering five chapters. Participants were divided into three teams: Literature, Myths, and Epics.

Aravind-Tirupati, 28th May

SV Aravind Eye Hospital, Tirupati, opened its first Eye Clinic in Puttur, Tirupati District, Andra Pradesh. Dr. K. Srinivasulu Reddy, Civil Surgeon (Retd.), inaugurated the clinic in the presence of R.D. Thulasiraj, Director Operations, AECS, Dr. Ashok Vardhan, CMO, Aravind-Tirupati, Sri Keshav Kumar, Manager, Administration and Finance, Aravind-Tirupati, Damien Jacob, Manager, Patient Care, and V. Vasudeva Reddy, Camp Manager. The new clinic will benefit Puttur and the surrounding villages.

Aravind-Dindigul, 27th May

Aravind-Dindigul observed Myopia Awareness Week by displaying awareness posters and charts created by MLOPs in the Outpatient Department and entrance areas of the hospital to educate the public about myopia prevention.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 19th May

The one-day CME focused on “Exploring Lapses in Uveitis Management” began with a welcome address by Dr. S. Balamurugan, Chief, Uvea Services, Aravind-Pondicherry. The CME featured various sessions handled by Dr. Parthopratim Dutta Majumder from Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, along with internal speakers. Dr. S.R. Rathinam, Chief, Uvea Services, Aravind-Madurai, shared captivating insights on the discovery of organisms like Leptospirosis, Trematodes, and the West Nile virus during various outbreaks.

The Objectively Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) session in Uveitis management was led by Dr. Naveen and Dr. Radhika, followed by an exciting quiz contest, “Kaun Banega Uveapati,” conducted by Dr. Parthopratim Dutta Majumder. Dr. Subhashini from Aravind-Pondicherry won first prize, while Dr. Aahan Shah from JIPMER, Pondicherry, and Dr. Prabhu Krishna from Aravind-Pondicherry secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively.

Dr. Radhika, Aravind-Madurai, secured the first runner-up position for her image titled “Disseminated TB,” and Dr. Hari Bhadari secured the second runner-up position for his image titled “Sectoral Serpentine Atrophy.”

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Balamurugan. The CME saw the participation of 75 attendees.

Aravind-Chennai, 17th May

World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week is celebrated each year in the second week of May. This year, Aravind-Chennai organised its first Retinoblastoma Awareness programme, inviting families of children treated at Aravind-Chennai as guests to help spread the awareness message. The programme facilitated the family member to witness the progress of retinoblastoma survivors. In addition, there was a dance performance by the little champions. The programme concluded with the distribution of gifts and prizes.

Aravind-Madurai, 1st June

At Aravind-Madurai,  the annual survivors’ meet was conducted for children who have overcome retinoblastoma. Dr. Usha Kim, Chief, Orbit, Aravind-Madurai, welcomed the gathering and highlighted several achievements: around 800 retinoblastoma patients saved, 7 Ph.Ds completed on retinoblastoma, 543 screenings conducted, and 305 genetic PROH-band markers identified in 41 families. She also mentioned 35 low vision aids and 5 smart vision glasses were provided to low vision patients. The event featured motivational talks by retinoblastoma survivors who have achieved significant positions in life as government staff, lecturers, engineers, doctors, and more. Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, AECS, highlighted Aravind’s efforts in bringing foreign technology in RB treatment at an affordable rate. Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, discussed Aravind’s efforts in combining research and modern technology to provide maximum care to patients. Prof. K. Dharmalingam stressed Aravind’s involvement in employing preventive methods using predictive biomarkers and its continuous care for patients. Dr. P. Namperumalsamy and Dr. G. Natchiar, Director-Emeritus, AECS, honoured Janani, mother of the late Arunkarthick who lost his life due to a rare type of eye cancer, for her benevolence. The programme was attended by 200 children with their parents and siblings, making a total of 600 participants. The survivors and their families were provided with sumptuous food, and children were given attractive gifts

Aravind-Madurai, 13-25 May

Aravind-Madurai organised a summer camp at Nithyatha, Aurolab for the children of staff members from Aravind Eye Hospital, AMRF, and Aurolab. A total of 42 children, including five volunteers and 37 children from classes 1st to 8th, participated. The camp was divided into two batches: 24 children from classes 1st to 4th attended from 13 to 18 May, and 13 children from classes 5th to 8th attended from 20 to 25 May. The theme of the camp was “Mindfulness.” Activities included nature journaling, mask making, farm visits, salad making, trekking, plantable paper seed making, and story building. Each day began with breathing exercises and an icebreaker activity and ended with reflection time. The programme provided an opportunity for children to develop new skills and crucial life skills such as team building and problem-solving.

Salem, 2nd June

Aurolab’s marketing team engaged with ophthalmologists and showcased the latest products during the CME on Ocular Infections organised by Aravind-Salem at Hotel Radisson, Salem. Yashida, Executive, Aravind-Salem, along with Sivabharath and Thowfeek from the Therapeutic Team, Aurolab, actively participated in the event.

China, 3rd June

Thulasiraj Ravilla, Executive Director, LAICO, and Sanil Joseph, Senior Faculty, LAICO, were invited speakers at a workshop organised by the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre, China’s largest eye hospital and a newly designated World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre. The workshop aimed to promote IPEC across China. Thulasiraj Ravilla spoke on “Challenges, barriers, and priorities in implementing IPEC,” and “Implementation of IPEC at Aravind.” Sanil Joseph discussed the “Eye Care Competency Framework (ECCF)” and “Comprehensive training and capacity building for the eye care workforce in India.”