Aravind-Tirupati, 24^th August 2025

Organised by Aravind-Tirupati, this multidisciplinary CME brought together ophthalmologists, paediatricians, neurologists, paediatric neurologists, and optometrists, strengthening the collaboration across specialities. Speakers included Dr. Kalyan, Neonatologist, Dr. Pavan and Dr. Ravichandra, Paediatric Neurologists, Dr. Nandagopal, Head, Department of Neurology, SVIMS, Dr. A.S. Kireeti and Dr. Chalapathy, Heads of the Departments of Paediatrics and Ophthalmology, SV Medical College, Tirupati. Their contributions made the programme highly insightful and enriching. The keynote address was delivered by Dr. P. Vijayalakshmi, titled “Understanding CVI – Ocular Vision Impairment vs. Brain-based Visual Deficits.” The workshop stations covered basic ocular examination, CVI screening, early intervention strategies, and environmental modifications. There was also an exhibit of low vision devices and a display of OSCE questions with answers provided on the reverse side for self-assessment. An interactive Kahoot quiz covering topics relevant to paediatricians, neurologists, and paediatric ophthalmologists added an engaging element to the event. The programme was attended by 166 participants from across Andhra Pradesh, including 18 faculty, 46 delegates from within Aravind, and 102 from outside institutions. The event was accredited with 2 credit hours by the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council.

Aravind-Madurai, 17^th August 2025

Two weeks after the passing of Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, Chairman Emeritus, a grand memorial event was organised at the Raja Muthiah Hall, Madurai, to honour his extraordinary life. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on his immense contributions to eye care, driven by passion and purpose, as well as the humanity, humour, integrity, and compassion that defined him.

The programme began with a prayer song and anchored by Dr. Usha Kim and RJ Ramesh. Several well-wishers from various domains participated, including Dr. Lingam Gopal, Sankara Nethralaya, Dr. Taraprasad Das, LVPEI, Dr. Meena Chakrabarti, Chakrabarti Eye Care Center, Thiruvananthapuram, Dr. V.M. Loganathan, Joseph Eye Hospital, Trichy, Ravi Mehra, Premalatha, Mahatma Schools, Dr. Ramesh, Karur, and Ambai Manivannan, Teacher, at Ambasamudram. The entrance showcased posters highlighting Dr. PN’s key achievements in the field of ophthalmology.

Aravind-Madurai, 17^th August 2025

The CME “Uvea 4 All – Infectious Uveitis” was held at Aravind-Pondicherry, featuring both internal and external faculty who shared valuable insights, making it an excellent learning experience. The programme covered topics on COTS study, Toxoplasma uveitis, Infectious and parasitic uveitis, AI-powered uveitis & Proton registry, Clinical trials in uveitis, Do’s and Don’ts of posterior sub-Tenon’s injection, Intravitreals in uveitis, and Intravitreal steroid implants.  The faculty panel, including Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, Dr. Rupesh Agarwal, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, and internal faculty Dr. Anuradha V.K. and Dr. E. Rajshree, made the programme insightful. An interactive Kahoot quiz with exciting prizes added vibrancy to the event. The quiz winners were Dr. Dania Elizabeth Eapen (1^st Prize), Dr. Pawan Garde (2^nd Prize), and Dr. Nikita Sah (3^rd Prize). The event was hosted by Dr. S. Balamurugan, Dr. Pawan Garde, Dr. Bharadwaj K, and Dr. Annamalai O.

Aravind-Madurai, 12-16 August 2025

In remembrance of artists Perumal Da and Manohar Devadoss, whose birthdays fall in 7^th August and 10^th September respectively, Aravind has been celebrating their legacies through exhibitions under the theme “Art that Inspires.” The exhibition focused on engaging school children, college students, and the public, encouraging them to appreciate artworks that celebrate Madurai’s notable monuments and capture the beauty of nature. The exhibition was inaugurated by Ariaravelan, Aparajitha Foundations, Prof. Prabahar Vedamanickam, former professor, The American College, Madurai, Artist Ravi Palette, and Artist Ramanan. Dr. Satish Devarajan, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Salem, conducted art classes for the students.

The event drew around 300 students from ten schools, three colleges, and three service organisations, along with members of the public. Activities included drawing competitions and interactive sessions with renowned artists, where students participated with great enthusiasm. AOPs from Aravind-Madurai and Tirupati also participated in the event. The winners of the drawing competition were felicitated during the valedictory ceremony on the final day.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 12^th August 2025

As part of Employee Engagement activities, a workshop on “Enhancing Teaching Skills for Trainers and Enhancing Learning Skills for Trainees” was organised for AOP employees and trainees at Aravind-Tirunelveli.

The session began with a welcome address by Lakshmi R, Manager–HR, Aravind-Tirunelveli, who also introduced the speaker. Gayathri Badrinarayanan, Founder of Envision – The Mind Studio, and a Coach, Master, and Practitioner of Graphotherapy, led the workshop. Through games and practice activities, she helped participants understand the concepts better and made the session more interactive. By sharing relevant healthcare examples and situations, she ensured the session was both informative and engaging.

Aravind-Madurai, 14^th August 2025

Aravind-Madurai organised a programme where 30 Smart Vision Glasses (SVGs) were given to beneficiaries. The recipients also received digital training on how to use the devices.

The event was graced by Dr. R.D. Ravindran, Chairman, Aravind Eye Care System, (AECS), Dr. Vijayalakshmi, Chief, Paediatric Ophthalmology Services, Aravind-Madurai, Dr. Sahithya, Medical Consultant, Aravind-Madurai, and Francis Vijay, Advisory Director, Vision Aid. Dr. Vijayalakshmi and Francis Vijay distributed the SVGs, explained their features, and encouraged beneficiaries to share their experiences with friends and families who might benefit from the glasses.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 23^rd July 2025

Organised for the fourth time by Aravind-Tirunelveli, this initiative provided 59 Smart Vision Glass Pro (SVG Pro) devices to patients with severe visual impairments through the Vision Rehabilitation Centre, sponsored by Vision Aid.

The event began with Dr. R. Meenakshi, delivering the welcome address, and Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, presenting a talk on the various AECS’s activities. Janani Sankaran from Vision Aid spoke about the organisation’s CSR initiatives. Beneficiaries Siva Perumal and Muthu Nayagaraj shared their heartfelt feedback and Venkatesan, played the song “ஒவ்வொரு பூக்களுமே சொல்கிறதே” on the keyboard. During the post-lunch session, Ibrahim, an AI Engineer from Smart Health Global, Bengaluru, assisted in registering the devices to the beneficiaries’ smartphones and trained them on using the various features of the SVG Pro.

Aravind-Madurai, 9^th August 2025,

Conducted by Aravind–Madurai, the CME aimed to support private practitioners in developing into glaucoma specialists. The programme featured a series of lectures on the basics of glaucoma, along with observation of patient investigative procedures. It also included scientific sessions with active and meaningful interactions between participants and faculty. A total of 50 participants, including faculty from Aravind, took part in this CME.

Aravind-Madurai, 7-8 August 2025

As part of the RSR programme held on 7^th August 2025 at Kakaipandiniyar Girls Higher Secondary School, Madurai, residents along with members from Suvadugal, conducted various activities. The session began with Backiyaraj delivering an awareness talk and Dr. Tejshivani presented an informative and motivating session on eye health and hygiene, women’s health, and self-belief. Following this, Kavitha, the head of Suvadugal, spoke on women’s empowerment and the role of financial stability in achieving independence. At the end of the session, 15 girls from the 10th and 11th standards were given school kits containing notebooks, a pen kit, tiffin box, water bottle, and a set of uniform. Similarly on 8th August 2025 at Vellivethiyar Girls Higher Secondary School, a team of six DNB residents, conducted an awareness programme. Dr. Vidhya delivered an engaging talk on general eye care and personal hygiene.  School kits were then distributed to 20 students who had lost one or both parents.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 7^th August 2025,

Aravind-Tirunelveli organised a special session for second-year and senior AOPs, conducted by Dr. Raja Mananar, Deputy Director, Centre for Distance Education & Additional Controller of Examinations, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli.

Drawing on his experience and knowledge, Dr. Raja shared insights into the various degree and diploma courses offered by the university and explained the enrolment procedures.

5^th August 2025

Staff members across all Aravind centres observed a memorial service to honour and celebrate the life of Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, who had passed away the previous week. On these occasions, those who had been closely associated with Dr. P.N. shared their experiences and the valuable lessons they had learned from him.

At Aravind–Tirupati, AOPs held candles arranged to form the letters “PN” and observed two minutes of silence. Crèche children, doctors, and administrative staff offered flowers to Dr. P.N.’s photo, and a commemorative bookmark was distributed to all staff in his memory. Similarly, at Aravind–Theni, members shared moments that highlighted Dr. P.N.’s remarkable contributions and lasting influence.

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 5^th August 2025

As part of the Employee Welfare Activities, a workshop on “Patient-Centered Care” was organised for AOPs. The programme was conducted by Koventhan Gokul, Area Sales Manager, Bausch & Lomb, and Raja, Sales Manager, Bausch & Lomb.

The AOPs were divided into two batches, with the first batch attending in the morning and the second in the afternoon.  The sessions included lectures and games that helped participants better understand various concepts. By citing relevant situations and examples from Aravind, Koventhan made the workshop both informative and engaging.

Aravind-Theni, 30^th July 2025

A new MRD facility was inaugurated at Aravind-Theni by Srinivasulu Thayam, Chief Technology Officer, Auroitech. The facility will help ease patient congestion in the OPD and ensure more efficient use of the available space.

Aravind-Chennai, 24^th July 2025

Conducted by Karl Golnik, a neuro-ophthalmologist and a professor in the Department of Neurology at Barrow Neurological Institute, this workshop held at Aravind-Chennai, focused on strengthening teaching skills in medical education. It covered various aspects such as engaging teaching methods and tools, effective communication techniques, assessment strategies, managing problematic residents, and the art of giving constructive feedback. The programme was attended by 15 medical officers from Aravind-Chennai.

Aravind-Chennai, 20^th July 2025

In a spirited show of commitment to public health, staff members from Aravind–Chennai including 30 doctors participated in a Cataract Awareness Cyclethon from the hospital to Maduravoyal, covering a distance of 5 km.

The event was flagged off by Dr. Haripriya Aravind, Chief, Intraocular Lens & Cataract Services, who emphasised the dual importance of early detection and treatment of cataract, as well as maintaining physical fitness among doctors.

Sponsored by Sun Pharma, the ride aimed to spread awareness that cataract, one of the leading causes of blindness, is both preventable and treatable. Along the route, participants carried banners and interacted with the public to encourage regular eye check-ups.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 20^th July 2025

Aravind-Pondicherry hosted the Diagnostic Skill Transfer Course (DSTC), offering participants a valuable opportunity to enhance their diagnostic acumen. The sessions covered a wide range of topics, including Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA), Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), corneal topography, glaucoma screening, and neuro-ophthalmology.

Participants gained hands-on experience and practical insights from leading experts in the field. Additionally, a Kahoot quiz was conducted that brought out the competitive spirit among attendees, with exciting prizes awarded to the winners.

Aravind-Pondicherry, 20^th July 2025

Organised by Aurodhan Art Gallery and hosted by Aravind–Pondicherry, the third day of the Pondicherry Invention Festival (PIF 2025) was held at Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry, celebrating innovation and wisdom. The event brought together thought leaders from science, philosophy, and healthcare to explore the path toward an Original Future.

The day featured inspiring talks, thought-provoking panel discussions, and impactful film screenings, making it a truly memorable experience for all attendees.

Highlights included, Dr. R. Venkatesh, CMO, Aravind-Pondicherry, spoke on “Unspoken Tales of Innovation,” Aruneswar, MGB, CEO & Founder, Grow Your Farms Pvt. Ltd., Tiruchirapalli, presented on “Revolutionising Agriculture with Predictive AI,” and Dr. N. Murugesan, Founder, Dr. Blue India Foundation, delivered a talk on “Blue India! Not a Dream.”

Aravind-Tirunelveli, 19-20 July 2025

Organised by Aravind-Tirunelveli, the workshop aimed at fostering a systemically integrated approach to Neuro-Ophthalmology. The event brought together faculty from diverse specialties to enhance participants’ clinical expertise with the latest advances in the field.

This in-person programme offered evidence-based updates in Neuro-Ophthalmology, covering a wide spectrum of topics such as paediatric care, genetics, neuroimaging techniques, and hands-on training sessions. A highlight of the event was the Neuro-Ophthalmology quiz, where Aravind doctors won first place.

Scientific sessions addressed commonly encountered clinical cases, from basic history-taking to advanced investigations such as OCT, MRI, and Electrophysiology. The workshop also featured hands-on training in Hess charting and Diplopia charting, as well as a quiz for postgraduate students. A total of 128 participants, including doctors, postgraduates, fellows, and trainees, attended the workshop.

Aravind-Chennai, 16–20 July 2025

The third batch of the five-day Īkshana – Phase 2, conducted at the ARCORE Training Centre, aimed to provide postgraduate and ophthalmology students with a comprehensive foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical surgical skills.

Highlights of the programme included three guest lectures: Patient Safety by Dr. Senthil Vijayan, Anaesthetist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London; Neuro-Ophthalmology by Prof. Umapathi N. Thirugnanam, Neurologist at the Singapore National Eye Centre; and Toric IOLs and Phacoemulsification in Complex Cases by Dr. Harini Balakrishnan, Medical Consultant, Aravind–Tirunelveli. A total of 41 postgraduate students participated in the programme, representing various institutions across India, as well as trainees from Aravind–Madurai and Aravind–Chennai.