The passing of Dr. P. Namperumalsamy, (Dr. P.N.) Chairman Emeritus of Aravind Eye Care System, created a deep void. Yet, after a brief period of mourning, the Aravind family began reflecting on his remarkable achievements and cherishing the evergreen memories of their beloved leader.

Staff across all Aravind centres observed a memorial service to honour and celebrate the life of Dr. P.N. During the service, they shared their experiences and the valuable lessons they had learned from him. Doctors, administrative staff, and even children from the crèche offered flowers in tribute to Dr. P.N.

Despite this difficult time, patient services at all centres continued uninterrupted. A new MRD facility was inaugurated at Aravind-Theni to ease congestion in the OPD and ensure more efficient use of available space.

In addition, residents from Aravind–Madurai visited several government schools, spreading awareness about eye care and distributing educational kits to selected students as part of the Resident Social Responsibility (RSR) programme. These initiatives further promote preventive care in eye-related issues.

This edition features news of these activities and many more that took place from 15^th July 2025, up to the present. Some events may also be covered in the next edition.

Chennai, 15-17 August 2025

At the fourth edition of EIVOC 2025, held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Aravind staff achieved notable recognitions:

Jegatheeswari J, Tutor-Refraction, Aravind-Madurai, won Best E-Poster Presentation & Overall Best E-Poster Presentation.
Title: Impact of prismatic correction on field of binocular single vision in incomitant strabismus.

Two Aravind doctors have been elected as office bearers of the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association (TNOA) for the 2025–2028 term.

Dr. D. Chandrasekhar, Consultant & Lead for NABH Compliance, AECS, Aravind–Coimbatore, was elected as the Honorary General Secretary of TNOA, while Dr. Divya Manohar, Chief, Cataract, Cornea & Refractive Services, Aravind–Thanjavur, was elected as a Managing Committee Member.

Pondicherry, 1-3 August 2025

Dr. Muthukrishnan V, Medical Consultant, Retina Services

• TNOA TOPS Award Free paper Retina I
• TNOA TOPS Award Free paper Retina (Overall)
• Nominated for TNOA Prof. C.P Gupta Award Free Paper finalists (Best of Best)
  Title: Paediatric Endogenous Endophthalmitis: Analysis of clinical spectrum and outcomes in 32 eyes

Dr. Sivadarshan, Medical Consultant, Retina Services

• TNOA TOPS Award Free paper Retina II
  Title: Chronic myeloid leukemia and diabetes: A dangerous synergy for proliferative retinopathy

Dr. Sahithya Bhaskaran, Medical Consultant, Paediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Services

• 3^rd Place in Shark Tank for Innovation: Percepto – CVI screening App

Dr. Sabarinath A., Medical Officer, General Ophthalmology Services

• Best Poster Podium in Glaucoma Session
  Title: A deep dive into childhood glaucoma

Dr. Mounika P., Medical Officer, General Ophthalmology Services

• Best Poster Podium in Cataract Session
  Title: Navigating cataract surgery in Post-RK eyes

Dr. Sameer Chaudhary, Medical Officer, General Ophthalmology Services

• TNOA Captain Subramanian Video Award Session
  Title: Haptic heartbreak: IOL exchange following haptic fracture in posterior polar cataract

Dr. Aravind Krishna V.P., MS Resident

• Best Poster Podium Presentation in Orbit & Oculoplasty Session
  Title: Echoes from the past: Late recurrence of retinoblastoma
• Just a Minute (JAM) in Cataract & General Session
  Title: Accessibility tools for the visually challenged in smartphones and computers

Dr. Evangeline D., MS Resident

• Best free paper Neuro- Ophthalmology – 1
  Title: Optic neuritis associated with Myelin Oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody: A case series

Dr. Sudha K.S., MS Resident

• CHERRYCON Paper Presentation Cornea -2
  Title: Case series: External ophthamomyiasis due to Oestrisovis in South India

 Dr. Gopikrishna, MS Resident

• Best Photograph Non-Ophthalmology category

Aravind-Tirunelveli

Dr. Anupama Janardhanam, Medical Consultant, Paediatric & Strabismus Services

• TNOA Prof. C. P. Gupta Award for Best of Best Free Paper
  Title: Clinical and demographic study of Posterior Deformational Plagiocephaly (PDP) in paediatric patients
• TNOA Dr. M.R.S Ramakrishnan Award for Best Free Paper in Paediatric Ophthalmology & TNOA Best Poster Podium Presentation Retina-1 Session
  Title: Paediatric Vascular Occlusions Due to Protein C and S Deficiency

Dr. Diviyan Abraham, Medical Consultant

Best Poster Podium in Comprehensive Ophthalmology
Title: Blinded by the blades: A case of bilateral ocular trauma following drone injury

Aravind-Coimbatore

Dr. Krutin Jugal Shah, DNB Resident

• TNOA Best Free Paper in Comprehensive and Community Ophthalmology
  Title: Uncovering gaps in cluster fungal endophthalmitis: A multi-centre case series
• Best Paper in Neuro Ophthalmology
  Title: Role of interventional radiology in neuro ophthalmology

Aravind-Chennai

Dr. Lakshana M.L., Medical officer, General Ophthalmology Services

• Best Paper of the Session – Comprehensive Ophthalmology
  Title: Distance sensitive retinoscopy with ultrasonic sensor for enhanced accuracy

Dr. Debolina Deb, Medical Consultant, Retina Services

• Best Poster Podium Presentation (Retina Session)
  Title: Oguchi Disease in Indian patients: Imaging the Elusive Mizuo phenomenon

Aravind-Pondicherry

Dr. A. Balraj, Medical Consultant
Dr. K. Selvakumari Award – Best Free Paper in Neuro-Ophthalmology

Dr. R. Harini, DNB Resident
Dr. M.N. Award – Best Free Paper in Cataract

Dr. S. Sivaranjani, Medical Consultant
Best Cherrycon Free Paper in Paediatric Ophthalmology

Dr. S.R. Preethi, DNB Resident
Best Poster Podium in Neuro-Ophthalmology

Dr. C. Sumitha, Glaucoma Fellow
Third prize in YOSI Quiz

Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, 26–27 July 2025

Gopika S Kumar, Project Associate, Aravind Medical Research Foundation (AMRF)
Young Investigator Award
Title: Pigmentation loss reflects EMT and functional decline in iPSC-derived RPE cells (Oral presentation)

Dharsini Nandakumar, Project Assistant II, AMRF Regional Research Centre, Coimbatore
Young Investigator Award
Title: Prospective evaluation of RID-MYC assay for POC diagnosis and clinical management in smear and culture-negative keratitis with IVCM correlation (Oral presentation)

Shivasankari, Junior Research Fellow, Department og Genetics, AMRF
Travel Fellowship

S. Jayashree, Research Manager, S. Karvannan, Research Scholar, & G. Balaji, Project Assistant II, AMRF Regional Research Centre, Coimbatore
2^nd Prize at Quiz Competition

Tirunelveli, 20^th July 2025

Dr. R. Ramakrishnan, Advisor, Aravind–Tirunelveli, and Dr. R. Meenakshi, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Aravind–Tirunelveli, were honoured with Doctors’ Day Awards by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) at a special function held at Hotel Apple Tree, Tirunelveli.

Jaipur, 19-20 July 2025

Dr. Vignesh Elamurugan, Medical Consultant, Retina-Vitreous Services, Aravind-Madurai, won Second Prize in the New Ideas for ROP Research (Rapid Fire) category for his research, at the 9th Annual Conference of the Indian Retinopathy of Prematurity (iROP) Society, held under the aegis of the Jaipur Ophthalmological Society in Jaipur.
Title: Topical Application of Ringer’s Lactate for Phase 1 ROP

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.

LAICO, 22-25 July 2025

LAICO conducted the 15th batch of the Eyexcel – Excellence in Eye Care Training course with 13 teams comprising 47 participants from India, South Africa, and South Sudan. The course focused on strengthening each team’s training project and developing a competency-based curriculum. Through interactive sessions and project-based learning, participants explored effective teaching methods, training resources, and assessment tools to enhance education in their respective institutions.

Auroitech, 9-10 August 2025

Aravind Eye Care System, through its IT wing Auroitech, successfully organised a Faculty Development Workshop for faculty members and Heads of Departments from various esteemed educational institutions.

The workshop aimed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by introducing real-world applications of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies. It equipped participants with insights to mentor students more effectively and align academic learning with evolving industry needs.

Highlights included sessions on AI & Machine Learning in Healthcare, Cybersecurity, Data-driven Decision Making, and Emerging Technologies in Public Health & Medical Imaging. Faculty also explored real-time healthcare applications and discussed opportunities for curriculum integration and collaborative research.

The workshop, conducted in-person over four sessions on two Saturdays and two Mondays, saw active participation from leading institutions in Madurai, including Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Velammal College of Engineering and Technology, K.L.N. College of Engineering, Sethu Institute of Technology, and Subbulakshmi Lakshmipathy College of Science.

Aravind-Madurai & Chennai, 26-30 July 2025

The Government of Tamil Nadu State Blindness Control Society (TNSBCS), in collaboration with Aravind Eye Care System, has been running 35 Vision Centres since 2019. Aravind provides ongoing technical support in the form of orientation, training, and software implementation.

As part of continuous follow-up, a one-day re-orientation training programme was organised at three Aravind Eye Hospitals in Madurai, Salem, and Chennai, on 26^th, 29^th, and 30^th July 2025 respectively, under the direction of Dr. S. V. Chandrakumar, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Project Director, TNSBCS, Chennai.

The main objective of the training was to familiarise participants with the new platform transition from Web VCMS to VC EyeNotes and to provide hands-on training. Karthikeyan, Project Lead, Client Support, along with his team, played a key role in organising and delivering the sessions. The practical sessions offered a comprehensive understanding of the data entry process and the importance of proper documentation.

The training sessions were facilitated by Mohammed Gowth, Senior Faculty, LAICO, Seran I, Manager, Aravind-Salem, and Rajesh, Assistant Manager, Community Outreach & Eye Bank, Aravind-Chennai. In total, 42 ophthalmologists, 42 optometrists, and PMOAs participated in the re-orientation programme.

Chennai, 15-17 August 2025

At the fourth edition of EIVOC 2025, held at the Chennai Trade Centre, Aravind staff presented posters on various topics.

Jegatheeswari J, Tutor–Refraction, Aravind-Madurai
Title: Comparative assessment of accommodation lag in myopic children using mem retinoscopy & open field autorefractometer (Oral Presentation)

Subiksha S, Optometrist, Aravind-Madurai
Title: The role of peripheral hyperopia in myopia progression and the efficacy of myopia control glasses in children (E-Poster)

Chicago, Illinois, 15-17 August 2025

Dr. Virna Shah, Chief, Neuro-ophthalmology Services, Aravind-Coimbatore, participated in a collaborative poster presentation with the Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, and Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore.
Title: Integration and utility of a binocular pupillary response camera in low-resource settings, high-volume eye care centres in south India

Pondicherry, 1-3 August 2025

Aravind-Madurai

Dr. Usha Kim, Chief, Orbit & Oculoplasty Services

• Tackling Ptosis (Speaker)
• Vast: Orbit & Oculoplasty (Speaker)
• Genetics in ocular oncology (Speaker)
• Nightmares with Retinoblastoma (Speaker)
• Orbital Tumours (Chairperson)
• Clinical profile and pattern of ocular injuries due to firecrackers: Multicentric study (Co-Author)
• Facial Aesthetics (Panelist)
• A-Z Ocular adnexal trauma series (Co-Instructor)

Dr. Meghana Tanwar, Medical Consultant, Orbit and Oculoplasty Services

• Not always a dacryocele at the oculoplasty plenary one case one pearl (Speaker)

Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, 26-27 July 2025

Faculty members and research scholars from AMRF actively participated in the 31st Annual Meeting of ARVO-India 2025, held at Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai. With the theme “Advancing Interdisciplinary Vision Research,” the event was organised by Dr. Ronnie George and his team from Sankara Nethralaya.

Dr. Gowri Priya Chidambaranathan, Scientist, AMRF, delivered the keynote lecture on “Towards a stem cell-based therapy for patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.” Dr. Bharanidharan Devarajan, Scientist, AMRF, gave an invited talk on “Enhancing genomic discovery with a novel computational framework for eye disease-specific pathogenic variants.” Dr. P. Sundaresan, Senior Scientist, AMRF, served as one of the moderators for the Genetics, Molecular and Cell Biology session, while Dr. S. Senthilkumari, Scientist, AMRF, acted as a judge for both the poster and free paper sessions.

In addition, several scientists and research scholars presented papers and posters as follows:

Dhanu Prakash Muthupandi

• Distinct tear fluid macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) and inflammatory mediator profiles in uveitis patients (Poster presentation)

Anusha Erulandi

• Altered tear fluid immuno-inflammatory profiles in patients with scleritis (Poster presentation)

Mathan L

• Proteomic analysis of plasma Small Extracellular Vesicles (SEVs) in patients with Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) in the Indian population (Poster presentation)

Dr. Daipayan Banerjee

• Plasma and vitreous extracellular vesicle-derived retinol binding protein 3 as a molecular signature of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (Poster presentation)

 Shiva Sankari Sundar

• Leber congenital amaurosis: Genetic spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations for precise molecular diagnosis (Poster presentation)

Hari Vignesh S

• Exploring mitochondrial genetic variants in primary open angle glaucoma (Poster presentation)

Karthik Alagarsamy

• Localisation of multiple isoforms of human tear lysozyme in the extracellular vesicle (Poster presentation)

Kanthimathi R

• Spatial transcriptomic analysis of adult human retinal pigment epithelium

Lakshmi Devi Priya J

• Demonstrating the anti-fibrotic property of Relaxin-2 (RLN2) in TGF-ß2 induced fibrosis model of glaucoma using human organ cultured anterior segment (Poster presentation)

Thushmitha P

• Alteration in the YAP signaling pathway in cataractous human lens epithelium (Poster presentation)

Sneha Nair

• Unravelling MicroRNA Signatures in human trabecular meshwork stem cells: Implications with ageing and in glaucoma (Poster presentation)

Dr. Senthilkumari Srinivasan

• Regulatory role of micrornas in Wnt signaling pathways associated with steroid-induced ocular hypertension: An insight from Ex Vivo studies (Poster presentation)

Kanmani. M

• Development of an integrated RPA-EXO probe assay for low complexity and rapid detection of fungal DNA in ocular infections (Poster presentation)

Hariharan Gnanam

• Isolation and characterisation of extracellular vesicles from aspergillus flavus cultures exposed to stress (Poster presentation)

Praveenkumar R

• MiRNA profiling reveals novel mechanistic insights on the role of neurotrophin signaling in pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis (Poster presentation)

Shreya Dinesh

• Comparative host transcriptome analysis to identify core and pathogen-specific immune response in fungal keratitis (Poster presentation)

Dr. Swagata Ghosh

• Distinct corneal gene expression profiles associate with differential disease trajectories in fusarium and aspergillus keratitis (Poster presentation)

Balaji

• CRISPR-Based RID-Myc Assay versus conventional culture in a postoperative fungal Endophthalmitis cluster: Diagnostic and therapeutic implication (Poster presentation)

Jaipur, 19–20 July 2025

Dr. Renu P. Rajan, Medical Consultant, Retina-Vitreous Services, Aravind-Madurai, presented a paper in the Best Paper Session at the 9th Annual Conference of the Indian Retinopathy of Prematurity (iROP) Society, held under the aegis of the Jaipur Ophthalmological Society in Jaipur.
Title: Therapeutic Impact of an Indian Bevacizumab Biosimilar on Type 1, Hybrid, and Aggressive Retinopathy of Prematurity