September 2021

Ophthalmologists from Sankara Nethralaya attend 68th TNOA Annual Conference

Madras ICON 2021, the 68th annual conference of Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association (TNOA) was a first-of-its-kind, a hybrid conference (2 days virtual and one day physical participation). The event was held over 3 days and was attended by our elite consultants from varied ophthalmic sub-specialities.

  • Dr. T. S. Surendran was the Chairman of the Paediatric Ophthalmology Session and spoke on “Overview of Strabismus.” The co-chairperson was Dr. S. Meenakshi, with Dr. Kavitha Kalaivani as the moderator. Dr. T. S. Surendran spoke on the topic: “Let us make it straight, Can we? – Tailored approach to strabismus management.” Dr. Meenakshi Swaminathan spoke on the topic: “Shaky eyes – what can we treat in nystagmus.” Dr. Kavitha Kalaivani spoke on the topics: “What’s next after cataract surgeries- end is not the end” and “Interesting cases.”
  • The free paper titled “Clinical features and outcomes of pediatric traumatic cranial nerve palsies (FP 446)” presented by Dr Akshya. P (Dr AYP ) and coauthored by Dr. Muthumeena Muthumalai (Dr MMI) was adjudged as the First Runner-Up among free papers in Pediatric Ophthalmology in TNOA.
  • Dr. Vineet Ratra performed a cataract surgery live as part of the “Challenging scenarios in cataract surgery” – video symposium.
  • Dr. Sonam Nisar spoke on the topic: “Advances in Oculoplasty: Do all Mucor need exenteration: indications and surgical steps” as part of the Advances in Oculoplasty session.
  • Dr. Rama Rajagopal was the co-chairman of the Cornea symposium and also spoke on the topic: “Ocular surface tumours.”
  • Dr. Meena Lakshmipathy spoke on the topic, “Infectious keratitis – taming the tide” and Dr. Sudhir R. R. spoke on the topic of “Managing post PRK haze.”
  • Dr. L. VIjaya was the chairperson of the Glaucoma symposium and delivered a talk on “Role of lens in glaucoma-yes clear lens extraction an option and Dr. Ronnie George spoke on “Glaucoma medication – start early lower fewer better.”
  • Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas was the chairperson of the Uvea symposium and gave a talk on Uveitis search for the cause. He also chaired a session on Journal and gave keynote address on “Uveitis Research and publications – My journey and way forward”. He delivered a talk “Practical pearls in Uveitis” in the virtual session titled “Uveitic pearls from the bosses.” Dr Sudharshan was the moderator of the virtual session.
  • Dr. Sudharshan S moderated the in-person session titled “Uvea – Utopia.” He also spoke on the topic: “Pattern recognition in uveitis.”
  • Dr. Parthopratim Dutta Majumder spoke on the topic: “Beyond Steroids.”
  • Dr. Vidhya Dharani D. M. gave a talk on the topic, “Sudden Vision Loss,” which was part of Neuro-Ophthalmology Nuggets Symposium.
  • Dr. Pramod Bhende was part of the organising team for Retina sessions and spoke on “Principles of management of pediatric retinal detachments” in “Surgical retina” session on 12th Sept. Dr. Muna Bhende was a part of the instruction course and spoke on “Atypical presentations of AMD and PCV”.
  • In the Medical retina session – Current management updates, Dr. Rajiv Raman spoke on the topic: “Diabetic Macular Oedema” and Dr. Suganeswari Ganesan spoke on the topic: “Retinopathy of prematurity.”

The three-day conference was a first for TNOA as the hybrid conference with both virtual and physical participation had an impressive turnout. Around 800 ophthalmologists attended the conference virtually and another 200 doctors who attended the in-person sessions making this year’s conference a big success. Such hybrid conferences may be the future as suggested by the feedback.

Rainbow Children’s Hospital starts comprehensive pediatric ophthalmology services partnering with Sankara Nethralaya

Pediatric ophthalmology is now universally recognized as a specific sub-specialty. Ophthalmic care of children in this era is no longer something that general ophthalmologists do as an adjunct to their predominantly adult clinical practice. It is instead delivered in dedicated pediatric ophthalmology clinics run by teams with expertise in the care of children. Sankara Nethralaya has associated with Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Chennai to provide a highly specialized, niche and advanced eye care facility with expert diagnosis and treatment.

This facility was inaugurated by Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice-Chairman and Director, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Sankara Nethralaya. The scope of services includes Retinopathy of Prematurity screening and management including anti-VEGF therapy, pediatric ophthalmological emergency and OPD services, refractory errors in children, squint, congenital cataract and tumors of the eye.

The pediatric ophthalmological out-patient clinic adds to the value of the already existing pediatric program run by Rainbow Children’s Hospital and is a one-of-a-kind comprehensive and unique facility in the city.

Honorable Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Thiru M. K. Stalin Inaugurates SN R. A. Puram and SN JCOC

Sankara Nethralaya founded in 1978, by Dr. S. S. Badrinath, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, as a not-for-profit institution serving the community, has been the foremost symbol of Ophthalmology in India.  Our institution completed 43 years of service to the community on 6th September 2021.

To our great happiness, Honourable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, agreed to dedicate Sankara Nethralaya’s latest note-worthy projects to the nation.  The dedication ceremony took place in a simple virtual program due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our 43rd Foundation Day celebrations on 6th September 2021 too were muted due to the pandemic.  Esteemed Thiru M. K. Stalin inaugurated Sankara Nethralaya R A Puram and Sankara Nethralaya Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Center (JCOC) facilities at 9:00 am with the click of a button.  Mr. G. Ramachandran, Honorary Secretary & Treasurer, Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, Medical Research Foundation, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman, and Mr. Suresh Kumar, General Manager, Operations were present to witness the auspicious occassion.

Dr. T. S. Surendran honoured the Chief Minister with a “Ponnadai” or silk shawl while Mr. G. Ramachandran presented a copy of Insight – an account of Sankara Nethralaya’s Passion for Compassion, to him.  Dr. Girish S. Rao presented a cheque of Rs. 10 lakhs as a contribution to the Tamilnadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.  This modest contribution was made in grateful acknowledgement of the unparalleled relief work conducted by the Honourable Chief Minister, M. K. Stalin and the Government of Tamilnadu during the Coronavirus pandemic

The Chief Minister was given a short presentation of both R. A. Puram and JCOC eye care facilities, and voiced his approval of the amenities provided for the underprivileged in the community.

Sankara Nethralaya JCOC is the dedicated community ophthalmic centre for the convenience of rural communities. This well-equipped facility provides world- class eye care to the indigent in the community and features 100 beds, expandable to 75 beds, with 8 operating theatres.

The SN R. A. Puram facility is spread out over 6,000 sqft, and is equipped with a state-of-the-art operation theatre (OT) equipped for advanced technology cataract surgery.  The branch is an ambulatory care facility offering the same quality of service as our apex facility in a cosy setting to our patients closer to their homes in Raja Annamailapuram and Adyar.