At Aravind July is a month of renewed inspiration. Time to reflect on the selfless service and enduring legacy of Dr. V as the institution observes Mission Day, commemorating the 20th anniversary of his remembrance, while also celebrating National Doctors’ Day.

The long-awaited Bhoomi Pooja for the new Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, was held on 12^th July 2026. The expanded facility will enable Aravind to serve the community with enhanced infrastructure, advanced technology, and greater capacity to meet the growing demand for quality eye care services.

On 3^rd July 2026, Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi, Advisor, Paediatric Ophthalmology and Vision Rehabilitation, Aravind-Madurai, inaugurated the newly established Sensory Park developed with the support of Aurolab at Aravind-Tirunelveli. The park has been specially designed for children with visual impairment, cerebral visual impairment (CVI), and multiple disabilities. It provides a safe and stimulating outdoor environment where children can strengthen their functional vision, sensory abilities, orientation and mobility, balance, and independence through activity-based learning.

Another landmark achievement was the inauguration of the Aravind Centre for Advanced Ophthalmic Resources & Education (ARCORE) at Aravind–Coimbatore on 16^th July 2026. ARCORE offers world-class training opportunities for ophthalmologists from India and across the globe, further strengthening Aravind’s commitment to excellence in education and advanced eye care.

As part of the Kenya Cataract Programme, the LAICO team visited Kenya with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies in partnership with public and private eye hospitals across the country. Together, these programmes aim to conduct more than 11.5 million vision screenings, distribute over 6.25 million spectacles, and perform 231,000 cataract surgeries, significantly expanding access to quality eye care for underserved communities.

These and many other developments from July, up to 25^th July 2026, are featured in this issue. We have also included a few important updates from the previous month.

New Delhi, 10-12 July 2026

Aravind doctors participated in the 3rd Annual International Conference of the Young Ophthalmologists Society of India (YOSICon 2026), held at the Pullman Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi, and won several awards.

Dr. D. Chandrasekhar, Senior Consultant & Lead for NABH Compliance, Aravind-Coimbatore

• Dronacharya Award – recognising his passion for teaching and his dedication to ophthalmology.

Dr. Nandita Trivedi, Fellow (General & Cornea), Aravind-Dindigul

• Elected as Executive Member, YOSI 2026-28
• Winner – Case Competition- Cornea
• Best Mentor- Teachers of Tomorrow
• Winner – Case Competition- Cornea
• Best Mentor- Teachers of Tomorrow

Dr. Sharma Tanvi Pradeep, DNB Resident, Aravind-Chennai, Dr. Jain Neel Arvindkumar, DNB Resident, Aravind-Chennai, and Dr. Ameya Venkatesh, DNB Resident, Aravind-Chennai

• First Prize – Reel Competition (for their journey to YOSICON)
• Second Runner-Up – YOSI I-Rock Quiz (International Residents Ophthalmic Combat of Knowledge)

Dr. Sharma Tanvi Pradeep, Dr. Kate Haridas Mahesh, MS Resident, Aravind-Madurai, and Dr. Nandita Trivedi

• First Prize – Teachers of Tomorrow

Dr. Kate Haridas Mahesh, Dr. T. Shanmathi, MS Resident, Aravind-Madurai & Dr. Eshwar Rajesh, MS Residents, Aravind-Madurai

• First Prize in YOSI I-Rock Quiz (International Residents Ophthalmic Combat of Knowledge)

Dr. P. Mounika, Medical Officer, Aravind-Madurai & Dr. Nandita Trivedi

• Winner – YOSI Starlights Award 2026

Dr. P. Mounika, Medical Officer, Aravind-Madurai

• Winner – Expression Yosicon 2026
• Elected as Executive Member

Dr. Eshwar Rajesh, MS Resident, Aravind-Madurai

• Best Paper of Session – Glaucoma (Guides: Dr. R. Sharmila, & Dr. A. Vijayalakshmi)
• Runner-up – YOSI Film Festival (Guide: Dr Madhu Shekhar)

Dr. T. Shanmathi, MS Resident, Aravind-Madurai

• Runner-up – Ophthalmic Squid Games

Dr. Nimrita Nagdev, Aravind Tirunelveli

• Best Paper of the session; Title – “Phaco-Gatt vs Phaco-KDB in POAG – 12-month outcomes” (Free Paper)
• Yosi Global Pathfinder Award 2026 for her Paper and Poster presentations at APAO 2026, Hong kong, and Poster and Film presentations at ASCRS 2026 Washington D.C.

Dr. Tushar Agrawal, Aravind Tirunelveli

• Graduated as Future Leader Academy at YOSICON for young ophthalmologists
• Winner – Best video award; Title: Flipping in cases of reverse IOL opening and Another video on-YOSI encouragement for young ophthalmologists

Bangalore, 10-12 July 2026

Best of Best Paper Award:

I. Seran, Manager – Patient Care, Aravind-Salem
Title: Opportunistic eye screening for patient attenders: Impact and determinants of service uptake in a tertiary eye hospital in South India

Best Paper Award:

Jeya Gohila G, Nursing Superintendent, Aravind-Madurai
Title: Assessing KAP and barriers to follow-up among endogenous endophthalmitis cases: Addressing equity, quality, and sustainability at a tertiary centre

Raichel.R, Asst. Quality Manager, Aravind-Pondicherry
Title: Warming vision: Instrumenting safe intraocular lens implantation

Best Poster Awards:

Riyah Jaitika, Manager – Quality Assurance, Aravind-Chennai
Title: Introducing JITSY (Just-in-Time Surgery) in a high-volume eye hospital

Dr. Yuvarani D, Research Coordinator, Aravind-Chennai
Title: Beyond acuity: Aligning patient expectations with functional vision after advanced IOL implantation

Young Achiever Award
Sr. Priya M, Tutor – OT, Aravind-Chennai

Eye Health Champion Award 2026
R. Kamatchi, AOP Superintendent, Aravind-Theni

Aravind-Salem, 2nd July 2026

Dr. B. Monohar Babu was presented with the Best Doctor Award by Jenny’s Educational & Charitable Trust, and the Rotary Club of Salem Divine Hearts. The award recognised his exceptional dedication, compassionate patient care, and outstanding contribution to the medical profession.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 29th June 2026

R. Saradha, Patient Care Manager, Aravind-Tirunelveli, was felicitated with the Vocation Award 2026-2027 by the Rotary Club of Tirunelveli West in recognition of her dedicated professional service.

Trichy, 27th June 2026

Dr. V.R. Saravanan, Chief, Retina-Vitreous Services, Aravind-Coimbatore, was honoured with the Dr. Ramesh Rajasekaran Gold Medal Oration Award with Citation in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of vitreo-retinal surgery and ophthalmology.

The award was presented during the inaugural session of Oculofest 2026, organised by the Department of Ophthalmology, K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College, Tiruchirappalli, with the support of Mahathma Eye Hospital Pvt. Ltd.

Aravind-Pondicherry

Dr. R. Venkatesh, CMO, Aravind-Pondicherry, and Dr. S. Kavitha, Chief, Glaucoma Services, Aravind-Pondicherry, were honoured with the 2026 MSOM Society Award for Responsible Research in Operations Management.

Their award-winning study on Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs) became a game changer for glaucoma patients in India, boosting patient satisfaction, knowledge, and medication compliance. The research team comprised Dr. S. Kavitha, Dr. R. Venkatesh, Nazlı Sönmez, Dr. Ryan Buell, and Dr. Kamalini Ramdas.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 23^rd  July 2026

As part of its ongoing commitment to promoting the holistic development and mental well-being of its trainees, Aravind-Tirunelveli organised a session for the first batch of AOP trainees. The session was conducted by Lincemon Thomas, Counselling Therapist and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Consultant, and Founder and Director of Prathiksha Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre, Tharuvai, Tirunelveli.  During the session, Lincemon emphasised that caregivers must prioritise their own emotional and mental well-being to provide compassionate and effective patient care. The session concluded with an interactive discussion, reflecting on various aspects of emotional health.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 22^nd July 2026

The session was conducted for AOP trainees and employees of Aravind-Tirunelveli with the objective of promoting personal safety, cyber security, and emotional well-being. The session was led by Kalai Santhanmari, Sub-Inspector, Singappenn Special Task Force, Tirunelveli, who delivered an informative and engaging talk on various aspects of women’s safety. She also introduced participants to the Kaaval Uthavi App, explaining its features, emergency support services, and the importance of installing and using the app.

Sornalatha, a leading advocate, social activist, and external member of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), joined the programme online for a motivational session. She encouraged the participants to face challenges with faith, courage, and self-confidence.

Aravind-Salem, 20^th July 2026

The Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic was opened at Aravind-Salem with the objective of standardising comprehensive care for patients with diabetic retinopathy. The clinic carryout systematic documentation of treatment history, dietary history, and baseline clinical evaluation, along with essential retinal imaging, including fundus photography and other indicated investigations. The clinic was formally inaugurated by Dr. B. Manohar Babu. Following the inauguration, he distributed diabetic health charts to patients attending the clinic, encouraging them to actively monitor their condition and adhere to regular follow-up visits and treatment. This initiative marks an important step toward delivering structured, patient-centered diabetic eye care and improving long-term visual outcomes.

Aravind-Salem, 19^th July 2026

The Warrior Group was launched as a volunteer initiative to keep the campus clean, green, and free of plastic waste and litter.

The initiative was led by Dr. B. Manohar Babu, along with Sr. Prema, Sr. Mathumitha, Sr. Harini, Sr. Aalaya, Sr. Inthumathi, Sr. Rama Lakshmi, Sr. Pooja, and Keerthiga. To remove plastic waste, discarded paper, and other litter and to maintain a clean environment, volunteers dedicate one hour every Sunday to collecting scattered waste across the campus grounds. The team encourages everyone to reduce plastic use and support the effort to keep the campus clean and spotless at all times.

Aravind-Salem

As part of Aravind-Salem’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, a Tree Plantation Drive was organised on the hospital campus during the visit of postgraduate doctors from Vinayaka Mission’s Kirupananda Variyar Medical College & Hospital (VMKVMCH), Salem, who were attending a training session at the hospital.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 19^th July 2026

The symposium aimed to advance participants’ knowledge of paediatric eye care and strabismus management. The programme featured insightful sessions on a range of topics, from the anatomy of extraocular muscles and advanced sensory evaluation to a spectacular 3D Surgical Video Masterclass. Attendees also had the opportunity to sharpen their skills through intensive hands-on wet and dry lab sessions.

Aravind-Madurai, 18^th July 2026

As part of the My Life My Pride initiative, AOPs who completed the tailoring training programme were awarded course completion certificates at a special event held at Aravind–Madurai. During the event, the participants proudly showcased the garments they had stitched, highlighting the skills they had acquired through the programme.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 18^th July 2026

As a flagship cataract education initiative, the Department of Cataract and IOL Services at Aravind-Coimbatore, in collaboration with Alcon, conducted the Surgical Skills Enhancement Programme. Designed to enhance cataract surgical skills through structured learning, teaching, and hands-on skill transfer, the programme featured focused academic sessions on the fundamentals of modern cataract surgery. Topics included the Aravind approach to high-volume cataract care, ocular biometry, phacoemulsification fluidics, management of soft and dense cataracts, and surgical strategies for eyes with extreme axial lengths.

The programme featured Surgical Pearls sessions, Round Table Interactive (RTI) discussions, a Live from the OT session, and a “What Would You Do?” session. Simultaneously, a hands-on wet lab provided supervised training in iris claw lens implantation and iris hook techniques. The programme brought together Medical Officers and Fellows from Aravind Eye Hospitals, along with consultants from various states who had previously participated in the Alcon Phaco Development Programme.

Aravind-Chennai, 14-18 July 2026

The sixth batch of Īkshana was conducted at the ARCORE Training Centre, Chennai. This five-day programme was designed to provide first-year postgraduate ophthalmology students with a comprehensive foundation in clinical ophthalmology, along with hands-on training to strengthen their diagnostic and surgical skills.

Sessions on various topics, including practical training in B-scan by Dr. Rashi, OCT by Dr. Sharon, visual fields by Dr. Anusha, gonioscopy by Dr. Pavithra, and indirect ophthalmoscopy and the Amsler grid by Dr. Siddhi, were conducted through demonstrations, image interpretation, and supervised hands-on practice. Participants also received hands-on training in SICS steps and biometry stations.

Dr. Haripriya, Chief, Intraocular Lens & Cataract Services, Aravind-Chennai, reviewed the participants’ SICS surgical videos and provided individualised feedback.

A total of 36 postgraduate students participated, representing a diverse range of institutions across India, including Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, Mumbai, West Bengal, Ranchi, and Bengaluru, along with postgraduate students from Aravind-Chennai.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 17^th July 2026

A motivational session titled “புதிய தொடக்கம், புதிய கனவு, புதிய சாதனை” was organised for the newly joined AOP recruits at Aravind-Tirunelveli.

The session was conducted by R. Ganesh, an inspiring motivational speaker, who encouraged the new recruits to view their journey at Aravind as the beginning of a meaningful and purposeful career. Through engaging stories, practical examples, and interactive discussions, he emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, setting clear goals, practising discipline, and developing self-confidence to overcome challenges. The session was highly interactive, with enthusiastic participation from the new AOP recruits.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 16^th July 2026

Aravind-Coimbatore, inaugurated the Aravind Centre for Advanced Ophthalmic Resources & Education (ARCORE), marking the culmination of a 22-year collaboration between Aravind and Alcon, with valuable support from ZEISS, EssilorLuxottica, and Aurolab.

The inauguration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by the traditional lighting of the kuthuvilakku by Prof. Dr. S. Raja Sabapathy, Chairman, Ganga Medical Centre and Hospitals, and Rajkumar Narayanan, Senior Vice President and President – International, Alcon.

Dr. V. Narendran, CMO, Aravind-Coimbatore, welcomed the gathering. Senior leaders from AECS, including Dr. R. Kim, CMO, Aravind-Madurai, Dr. S. Aravind, Director – Projects, AECS, and Dr. Venkatesh Prajna, Director Finance, AECS, were also present. In his keynote address, Rajkumar Narayanan highlighted the strength of the long-standing partnership between Aravind Eye Hospital and Alcon. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Jebinth Brayan, Medical Consultant, Cataract & IOL Services, Aravind-Coimbatore.

ARCORE brings together the Phaco Development Programme (PDP) and the Vitreoretinal Development Programme (VRDP) under one roof, creating an integrated centre for comprehensive ophthalmic surgical training. The centre enables surgeons to refine their skills in a safe, simulation-based environment before operating on patients.

Aravind-Madurai, 12^thJuly 2026

A Bhoomi Pooja (groundbreaking ceremony) was held at the Karuppayurani site to mark the commencement of construction of the new Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai. The ceremony was attended by senior leaders of the Aravind, including Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi, Dr. M. Srinivasan, Director Emeritus, AECS, Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, AECS, Dr. G. Natchiar, Director Emeritus, AECS, Thulasiraj Ravilla, Director – Operations, AECS, Dr. S. Aravind, Dr. R. Kim, and other members of the Aravind family. The ceremony was conducted at two locations on the campus, one marking the future hospital building and the other the staff quarters. At the end, everyone had a fellowship meal and departed with a shared sense of hope and anticipation. The occasion symbolised the beginning of a new chapter, with the vision that the barren land would soon be transformed into a place of healing, hope, and compassionate eye care, serving countless people for generations to come.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 12^th July 2026

Aravind-Pondicherry hosted this collaborative initiative organised by Aurodhan and Aravind-Pondicherry, bringing together visionaries, institutional partners, and delegates to celebrate sustainability and innovation. This premier gathering featured an address by the esteemed Chief Guest, Padma Shri Arunachalam Muruganantham, a social entrepreneur from Coimbatore. From strategic panel discussions to the ‘Dolphin Pool’ start-up presentations, the festival showcased the immense potential of homegrown solutions in addressing global challenges.

Aravind-Tirupati, 12^th July 2026

As part of the APOS ARC programme, the workshop was conducted by Aravind-Tirupati.

The programme featured sessions on slit-lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, tonometry, and gonioscopy, presented by the senior internal faculty. Important diagnostic investigations across all subspecialties were discussed. There were eight stations covering the Humphrey Field Analyser, OCT-RNFL, OCT-macula, B-scan, FFA, Orbscan and Pentacam, Hess and diplopia charting, and IOL power calculation. Delegates were divided into small groups and rotated through these stations.

Most of the delegates were postgraduate students, giving them ample opportunity to interact with the faculty and understand the clinical applications of these investigations. An OSCE question display, with answers provided on the reverse side, was also arranged. A bookstall featuring Aravind publications was set up, and eight books were sold.

Aravind-Salem, 11^th July 2026

As part of the follow-up initiatives from the Sponsor Day Meet, the Camp Team from Aravind-Salem, commenced courtesy visits to the newly elected office bearers of Lions and Rotary Clubs for the 2026-2027 tenure. The initiative aimed to reinforce Aravind’s long-standing partnership with these service organisations in the shared mission of eliminating needless blindness through sustained community outreach.

The visiting team comprised Dr. B. Manohar Babu, Dr. R. Sankarananthan, Camp Medical Officer, Boopathi, Camp Manager, Mohanasundararajan, Camp Organiser, Jerin, Camp Organiser, and Arunarasan, Camp Organiser.

The team visited the Lions Clubs of Attayampatti, Paramathivelur, Dharmapuri, Sankagiri, and Palacode, as well as the Rotary Clubs of Dharmapuri and Attur Midtown.

Aravind-Coimbatore, 8^thJune 2026 – 22^nd June 2026

The Biomedical Engineering Department of Aravind-Coimbatore, organised a two-week Ophthalmic Equipment Internship Programme for Biomedical Engineering students of KPR Engineering College.  The programme provided students with practical training on the operation, preventive maintenance, equipment handling, quality assurance practices, hospital safety procedures calibration, and troubleshooting of various ophthalmic diagnostic and surgical equipment.

The internship helped students understand the practical applications of biomedical engineering in a healthcare environment and enhanced their technical skills, knowledge, and confidence in managing medical equipment.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 6^thJuly 2026

The two-year training programme for newly recruited AOPs was formally inaugurated at Aravind-Tirunelveli. Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind-Tirunelveli, delivered the inaugural address, congratulating the newly selected recruits. Dr. R. Meenakshi, CMO, Aravind-Tirunelveli, welcomed the participants to the training programme and spoke about its objectives and benefits. Dr. Padmavathy, Regional HR Director, Aravind-Tirunelveli, and Dr. Fathima, AOP In-charge, Aravind-Tirunelveli, delivered inspiring talks, emphasising Aravind’s values and culture. Additionally, a motivational video highlighting the importance of education was also screened. Superintendents, and Coordinators introduced themselves and assured the trainees of their support throughout the programme.

Aravind-Madurai, 5^th July 2026

The Refraction Department conducted a CME programme focusing on the importance of biometry, measurement techniques, clinical applications, and key learning points from incidents reported during the previous year.

Dr. Sivakumar, Senior Medical Officer, IOL Clinic, Aravind-Tirunelveli, served as the special mentor. Dr. Madhusekar, Chief, IOL Services, Aravind-Madurai, and Dr. Banumathi, Senior Consultant, IOL Clinic, Aravind-Madurai, shared valuable insights that enriched the session.

The programme featured engaging discussions and group activities that encouraged active participation and knowledge sharing. A Kahoot! quiz competition was also conducted, and the two top performers, Sr. Thanalakshmi, Aravind-Tuticorin, and Sr. Manju, Aravind-Chennai, were recognised for their outstanding performance. A total of 100 AOPs participated in the CME programme.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 3^rd July 2026

Organised by Aravind-Tirunelveli, the programme on the Distribution of CVI Therapy Kits began with a welcome address by Dr.  Meenakshi, while Dr. Fathima, Medical Consultant outlined the objectives of the Vision Aid Project and explained the support being provided to children with Cerebral Visual Impairment (CVI).

As part of the programme, 20 CVI Therapy Kits and five Video Pocket Magnifiers, sponsored by the Vision Aid Team, were distributed to children with CVI to support their learning, vision development, and daily living activities. Addressing the gathering, the chief guest, Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi highlighted the importance of early intervention, vision rehabilitation, and the use of assistive devices in improving the quality of life of children with CVI.

Following the distribution, Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi inaugurated the newly established Sensory Park. Sponsored by Aurolab, the park has been specially designed for children with visual impairment, CVI, and multiple disabilities. The Sensory Park features dedicated zones, including the Vision and Contrast Zone, Balance and Movement Zone, Orientation and Mobility Zone, Olfactory Zone, Auditory Experience Zone, and Tactile Exploration Zone. These interactive spaces are designed to promote visual attention, sensory integration, balance, movement, listening, tactile exploration, confidence, orientation and mobility, and independent living skills.

During the inauguration, Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi appreciated the initiative and emphasised the value of multisensory experiences in vision rehabilitation. The programme was attended by doctors, rehabilitation professionals, staff members, parents, and children.

Aravind-Madurai, 21^st June 2026

The Department of Vitreoretinal Services, Aravind-Madurai, conducted the CME, bringing together retina fellows, postgraduate students, and ophthalmologists. The programme was designed to provide advanced retinal education and enhance vitreoretinal surgical skills.

The event, themed “Learn the Art, Witness the Craft: Retina Surgery Redefined,” featured expert lectures on the management of complex retinal diseases. The sessions covered key topics, including macular holes, complex retinal detachments, vitreoretinal surgery, fibrovascular disorders, and open-globe injuries.

The lecture sessions were followed by a wet lab, where participants gained valuable hands-on experience in vitreoretinal surgical techniques under the guidance of experienced faculty.

Aravind-Chennai, 30^th June 2026

Organised by Aravind-Chennai, the workshop for AOPs and administrative staff was facilitated by Mohana Sundaram, Founder of Pupalife and a storyteller. He shared valuable insights Mohana Sundaram through the art of storytelling. The interactive sessions encouraged participants to strengthen their communication skills, think creatively, and express themselves with confidence. In view of the enthusiastic response, three additional batches have been scheduled for other AOPs and administrative staff members.

LAICO, 21-24 July 2026

LAICO conducted the 16th batch of the “Eyexcel – Excellence in Eye Care Training” course from July 21–24, 2026, with 23 participants in 8 teams from India and Kenya. The course strengthened participants’ training projects and enhanced their capacity to develop competency-based training curricula. Through interactive sessions and project-based learning, participants explored instructional design, effective teaching methods, adult learning principles, the flipped classroom approach, Apps for Learning, assessment strategies and online training tools

The AOP Training Exhibit showcased Aravind’s innovative teaching and learning practices.

Each team concluded the course with a practical action plan to strengthen training programs and improve learning outcomes in their institutions.

Nairobi, Kenya, 2- 6 June 2026

Organised by the Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology (LAICO) and facilitated by the Aravind Eye Care System, the Ophthalmic Instrument Maintenance Course was conducted by S. Meenakshi and B. Vinoth Kumar, Biomedical Engineers.

The course trained 25 participants from government and private hospitals across Kenya. Participants brought non-functional ophthalmic equipment from their respective hospitals for practical training. The programme covered the principles of equipment care and maintenance, with participants learning to dismantle and reassemble commonly used ophthalmic instruments. Preventive and breakdown maintenance procedures were explained and practised through hands-on sessions. Instruments used in cataract surgery were also covered through a combination of theoretical instruction and practical training.

At the conclusion of the course, each participant received a toolkit, a handbook, and a certificate of participation. Following the training, the team visited several eye hospitals across Kenya from 8–13 May 2026, providing preventive and breakdown maintenance services for ophthalmic equipment.

LAICO, 29-30 June 2026

LAICO hosted the two-day Seva Mentoring Strategic Workshop, bringing together 47 participants, including mentors, mentees, and members of the LAICO team. The workshop was facilitated by the Seva team and led by Suresh Kumar, Senior Faculty, LAICO.

The workshop focused on reviewing and finalising the mentoring strategy, aligning mentors and partner organisations on programme roles, processes, and the implementation roadmap. Participants also explored best practices in mentoring, institutional development, and organisational strengthening to enhance the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of the mentoring programme.

Kenya, 30th May – 23rd June 2026

LAICO team visited Kenya as part of the Kenya Cataract Programme, which was launched with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with public and private eye hospitals across the country. The visit included an instrument maintenance course, the IAPB Conference, onsite visits to partner hospitals, a private partners’ review meeting, and a county hospitals launch meeting.

The Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative meeting was held on 3rd June 2026, during which R. Suresh Kumar, Senior Faculty, LAICO, briefed participants on the programme activities. The initiative focuses on five countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria, with a goal of achieving 11,556,152 vision screenings, distributing 6,250,491 spectacles, and performing 231,000 cataract surgeries.

During the County Ophthalmologists’ Meeting held on 18 June 2026, Thulasiraj Ravilla, Dhivya Ramasamy, and other LAICO faculty members engaged in meaningful discussions with county ophthalmologists.

The Private Partners’ Review Meeting, held on 19-20 June 2026, featured presentations by LAICO faculty on key programme areas:

• Meenakshi Sundaram, Senior Manager, Clinical Services, Aravind-Madurai – Outpatient Screening in Outreach
• Dhivya Ramasamy – Cataract Surgeries
• Syed Ali A.– Refractive Error Services in Outreach
• S. Ganesh Babu – Cost-Effectiveness in Outreach Camps
• Suganya, Faculty, LAICO – Quality of Cataract Surgical Outcomes
• Mohamed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO – Postoperative Follow-Up
• Udayakumar, Senior Faculty, LAICO – Comprehensive Eye Examinations

The process of engaging county hospitals in the Kenya Cataract Programme began with a Project Briefing Meeting at the Ministry of Health (MoH) office in June 2025. This was followed by several in-person and virtual meetings with the Council of Governors (CoG) and the Ministry of Health. During the recent visit, the LAICO team conducted the County Hospitals Launch Meeting, which included interactive group discussions and planning sessions.

As part of the programme, the team also visited Lions SightFirst Eye Hospital, Loresho, the Kenya Society of the Blind in Nairobi, and Kajiado County Referral Hospital in Kajiado.

New Delhi, 10-12 July 2026

Aravind doctors participated in the 3rd Annual International Conference of the Young Ophthalmologists Society of India (YOSICon 2026), held at the Pullman Hotel, Aerocity, New Delhi.

Dr. Nandita Trivedi, Fellow (General & Cornea), Aravind-Dindigul

• Launch of YO Times, Volume 2 Edition 4 (Assistant Editor)
• Organiser of (a) Ophthalmic Wars, (b) Squid Games, (c) Budding Ophthalmologists & (d) Hack-Eye-Thon

Dr. Tushar Agrawal, Aravind Tirunelveli

• Role of Fundus Autofluorescence in Retinal Imaging (Paper Presentation)
• Medical Retina: DR, Macular & Imaging Diagnostics? (Moderator)

• Budding Ophthalmologist session in YOSICON (Chief Organiser)
• YOSICON (Chief interviewer)

Dr. Madhu Shekhar, Chief, IOL Services, Aravind-Madurai

• Algorithmic Approach: Pole to Pole
• Early identification and management of subluxated cataract (Speaker)
• Free Paper Cataract- 3 (Judge)
• Don’t Feel Left Out Workshop for Left-Handed and Ambidextrous Surgeons (Chairperson)
• Re-engineering Phaco: Do we need a left-handed paradigm? (Speaker)
• YOSI Job & Fellowship Carnival at YOSICON 2026 – (Participant)

Bangalore, 10–12 July 2026

Staff members from Aravind Eye Care System participated in the 20th Annual VISION 2020 India Conference, hosted by Sankara Eye Hospitals in association with VISION 2020 India in Bengaluru. The team presented papers and poster presentations:

Invited Speakers

• Dhivya Ramasamy –  Use of LMS for training in eye hospitals.
• Mohammed Gowth –  Successful PP models and key lessons from implementation in India and outside.
• Udayakumar B –  Role of counselling and informed decision-making.

Paper Presentations

• Syed Ali A, LAICO
  Title: Operational Analysis of Patient Flow in a High-Volume Ophthalmology Clinic and the poster Approaches to spectacle delivery at the camp site for achieving the best postoperative visual acuity.
• Jeyachandran S, LAICO
  Title: To evaluate the impact of providing spectacles on educational performance among schoolchildren with uncorrected refractive errors (URE) in South India.
• Alageswari, Aravind-Madurai
  Title: Non-Mydriatic Fundus Imaging in Outpatient Ophthalmology: Reducing Dilated Exams and Enhancing Workflow Efficiency.
• Gomathi P, Aravind-Madurai
  Title: Changing trends of fundus fluorescein angiography performed in the era of OCTA in the management of neovascular AMD.
• Jeya Kohila G, Aravind-Madurai
  Title: Assessing KAP and Barriers to Follow-up among Endogenous Endophthalmitis cases: Addressing Equity, Quality, and Sustainability at a Tertiary Centre and the poster A Sustainable Model for Eye Care Delivery Through Training and Empowerment of Rural Women as Allied Ophthalmic Personnel.
• Kamatchi Kannan, Aravind-Madurai
  Title: The impact of outdoor exposure, near work, and circulating biomarker (vitamin D3) on myopia onset and progression and Accuracy of an Artificial Intelligence-based Mobile App for Detecting Cataracts: Results from a Field Study.
• Chellammal T, Aravind-Madurai
  Title: Smart Vision Glasses: User Feedback Study on Functional Outcomes for Individuals with Visual Impairment.
• Raichel, Quality Assurance, Aravind-Pondicherry
  Title: Diwali Firecracker-Related Ocular Injuries: Clinical Profile, Visual Outcomes, and Safety Interventions in a Multi-Tier Eye Care Network and Warming Vision – Instrumenting Safe Intraocular Lens Implantation.
• Ranitha Guna Selvi, Manager, Specialty Services, Aravind-Pondicherry
  Title: Artificial Intelligence–Assisted Fundus Photography for Detection of Referable Diabetic Retinopathy in a Community Screening Program and Catching the Silent Thief: Using Tech to Screen First-Degree Glaucoma Relatives.
• Sumathy A, HR Manager, Aravind-Pondicherry
  Title: The Premium Pivot: Where Patient Choice Meets Clinical Excellence and The “Waiting Room” Strategy: A Hospital-Based Systematic Screening Approach.
• Sarmila M, Aravind-Madurai
  Title: Understanding visual outcomes in Keratoconus Patients after Scleral Contact Lens Fitting.

• Seran Ilango, Manager Patient Care, Aravind-Salem
  Title: Evaluating the Impact of Opportunistic Eye Screening among Patient Attendants, Determinants of Service Uptake in a Tertiary Eye Hospital and the posters Family Card in Vision Centers to involve families and become a comprehensive eye care partner for the entire family and Enhancing Eye Drop Adherence in Glaucoma Patients through incremental innovations.
• Hariesh Kumar P, Manager Project & Outreach, Aravind-Tirunelveli
  Title: Impact of Sibling Screening Program in Rural Vision Centers for early detection of Refractive Errors and ocular disorders among Paediatric Age Group.
• Vinoth Kumar R, Research Associate, LAICO
  Title: Impact of Vision Centres on achieving universal eye health coverage: prevalence, coverage and utilisation of eye care services in Southern India and Eye injury rates and community cost savings through vision centers: Evidence from southern India.
• Vikky Kumar M, Manager,Quality Assurance Aravind-Tirunelveli
  Title: Collaboration in action: A community-driven monthly outreach model. Advancing universal eye health in Paripally block

Poster Presentations

• Riyah Jaitika, Manager Quality Assurance, Aravind-Chennai
  Title: Introducing JITSY Just-in-Time Surgery in a high-volume eye hospital, Group counselling – pre-operative and post-operative: an effective way to improve surgery acceptance, follow-up and operational efficiency, and BELT Both Eye with Limited Time Period cataract surgery within 15 days.
• Kaaviya Gadi, Aravind-Chennai
   Title: Introducing Extended Day Care Cataract Surgery to improve patients’ satisfaction and operational efficiency in a high-volume eye hospital.
• Nivetha Shree S. Aravind-Chennai
  Title: PSDM Patient Safety Daily Meet: A proactive approach towards patient safety and operational efficiency.
• Yuvarani D., Aravind-Chennai
  Title: Beyond Acuity: Aligning Patient Expectations with Functional Vision after Advanced Intraocular Lens Implantation.
• Rajesh S., Manager Outreach, Aravind-Chennai
  Title: Comparative Efficacy of Eye Care Service Coverage Through Outreach Screening Camps and Vision Centres.

Nairobi, Kenya, 4-6 June 2026

The 2030 In Sight Live – IAPB Meeting was held in Nairobi from 4-6 June 2026, where LAICO faculty members presented on various topics.

Dhivya Ramasamy, Executive Director, LAICO

• Accelerating Action: Bloomberg Philanthropies Vision Initiative (Panellist)
• Honest Conversations on Human Capital: Equity, Efficiency and the Future of Care (Panellist)
• Competency-Based Training LMS for Allied Ophthalmic Personnel – Rapid Fire Presentation

Yesunesan, Senior Faculty, LAICO

• Title: Strengthening Cataract Outcomes through Structured Multi-Point Postoperative Follow-Up

Dr. B.S. Ganesh Babu, Senior Faculty, LAICO

• Title: Monitoring Hospital-Based Interventions to Track Progress Towards WHO Global Targets for Eye Care Coverage by 2030 (Poster Presentation)

Mohamed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO

• Title: Achieving Universal Eye Health through Technology-Enabled Vision Centres: A Replicable Model from India

Syed Ali, Senior Faculty, LAICO

• Title: Delivery at the Camp Site: Closing the Care Loop: A Last-Mile Model for Achieving Effective Cataract Surgical Coverage (eCSC) through Immediate Postoperative Spectacle Dispensing

Prague, Czech Republic, 26–29 June 2026

Dr. Anu Joseph, Medical Consultant, Uvea Services, Aravind-Coimbatore, delivered a podium presentation at the 40th World Ophthalmology Congress 2026 held in Prague, Czech Republic. She presented her research work titled, “Is Posterior Sub-Tenon Steroid Injection Good Enough as Preoperative Cover in Uveitic Cataract: A Retrospective Analysis.”

17^thJuly 2026

Dr. Apurba Samanta, Chief Doctor & Director, Samanta Eye Care, Midnapore, and his team visited Aravind Eye Hospital and Aurolab for an exposure visit. During the visit, they were given an overview of Aravind’s genesis and taken on a hospital tour. They also received a detailed presentation on the operation theatre and sterilisation processes. At Aurolab, they met with the senior team and learned about its activities.

20^th July 2026

Rishi Raj Borah, Country Director, and Dinesh Chandra, Director – Finance & Operations, from ORBIS International, along with Dhawal Marghade, Assistant Vice President, and Anujay Patil, Chief Consultant, from MITCON Consultancy & Engineering Services Ltd., visited LAICO for discussions related to the Carbon Footprint Assessment Report. The delegation met with the LAICO leadership team, including Thulasiraj Ravilla, Director – Operations, AECS, Dhivya Ramsamy, Executive Director – LAICO, and Mohammed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO, to understand the findings of the assessment and discuss the next steps for strengthening these initiatives. As part of the visit, they also visited the Kariyapatti Vision Centre.