August 2022
Sankara Nethralaya (KBSN), Rajarhat, Kolkata launches Vision Enhancement Clinic
On 27th August 2022, the Sankara Nethralaya Vision Enhancement Clinic (VEC) was inaugurated at Sankara Nethralaya (KBSN), Newtown, Kolkata. The VEC utilizes the functional ability of an impaired individual to improve their quality of life. It was launched in the distinguished presence of Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, Dr. Manoj Datta, Ms. Sudha Mohan, Senior Manager – HR, Ms.Payel Das Ghatak, HOD- General Optometry, Mr. Venkataramanan Ramasethu, Manager – General Optometry, Ms. Bony Das- Administrative- incharge, Mr. Anik Sarkar and Ms. Pousali Pattanayak, Optometrists.
The VEC is committed to advocate and provide services to the needy, so as to improve their visual skills and abilities using their residual vision. Once the patient has been identified and referred, a team of rehabilitation professionals will provide therapy to these patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning level in their day to day activities.
Force Motors Donates Vehicle to Sankara Nethralaya
On 24th August 2022, a mini bus was formally handed over to Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai, by a benevolent Donor – Sri Abhay Firodia, Chairman of Force Motors Ltd in a simple ceremony. This vehicle will be used to convey community care patients back and forth from the community care facilities to the doorsteps of the patients.
Sri Abhay Firodia donated the vehicle in memory of his father, Late Sri Navalmal Firodia, founder of Force Motors. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Abhay Firodia, and son, Sri Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors Ltd. The vehicle was handed over to Sankara Nethralaya in the presence of Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman and Director of Paediatric Ophthalmology, Dr. Prema Padmanabhan, Distinguished Senior Consultant, Department of Cornea Services, and senior management.
Dr. T. S. Surendran felicitated Sri Abhay with a traditional South Indian silk shawl, while Dr. Prema Padmanabhan honoured Smt. Abhay with one as well.
Sankara Nethralaya thanks Sri Abhay Firodia and family for their generous gesture in helping community care patients to access quality eye care.
SN Doorstep Eye care for Elders and Differently Abled (SN DEED)
India’s 75th Independence Day, 15th August 2022, marks the auspicious occasion of the inauguration of the Sankara Nethralaya Doorstep Eye care for Elderly and Differently-abled (SN DEED) inaugurated by Dr. Ravi, Retd DGP, in the presence of Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman and Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology Sankara Nethralaya under the guidance of Dr. R. Krishnakumar, Freelance Optometrist and Visiting Faculty, Sankara Nethralaya by the Optometry Department of SN.
Eye disease and visual impairment are frequently encountered in the elderly population. Visual impairment may be associated with social and functional decline, use of community support services, depression, falls, nursing home placement and increased mortality. With the elderly population increasing in India, it is important to enhance our eye care services to the elderly. Experiences have shown that senior citizens find it difficult to visit eye care centers to access eye care services because of their dependency on others. Therefore, Sankara Nethralaya’s DEED initiative to offer eye care services at the homes of the elderly will reach those who are in need of this service. Through this initiative, those who need further care at the hospital premises can be helped through Fast Track channel.
Sankara Nethralaya’s DEED eye examination includes:
Detailed History taking ocular and systemic illness including FALLS
Vision check
Lensometry (Glass power check)
Refraction (Eye power check)
Extra ocular Movement
Pupillary Examination
Intra Ocular pressure (Eye pressure check using Tonopen)
Anterior Segment evaluation (Hand held slit lamp Biomicroscope)
Posterior segment (retina) evaluation (using Non Mydriatic Fundus camera)
Counselling
Management
Glass prescription
Optical dispensing
Teleconsultation
Referral
Voice of patient
Patient Name Saroja Raman (83 years old)
“Felt we were in the hospital with all the procedures done in detail. Wish this project reaches to public and serves all elders”
If a patient requires further intervention from Ophthalmologists- the SN DEED coordinator will facilitate a tele consultation with an ophthalmologist or appointment will be scheduled at hospital.
For appointment with SN DEED (Eye care at home for your beloved elders and /or Differently abled family members kindly contact the Coordinator Contact
Phone No: 9380240750 (9 am to 5.00pm)
Dr. Amrutha Mahalakshmi Endowment Award established for Best Cornea Fellow
On 30th July 2022, the very first Dr. Amrutha Mahalakshmi Endowment Award for Best Cornea Fellow in memory of Late Dr. Amrutha Mahalakshmi was instituted by the CJ Shah Department of Cornea Services on her 33rd birth anniversary. The budding ophthalmologist had just completed her fellowship in the CJ Shah Department of Cornea Services when tragedy struck.
The family of Dr. Amrutha magnanimously came forward to name an award in their daughter’s name within the Cornea department. The small ceremony – held at A. Sivasilam block, JKCN – was compered by Dr. Meena Lakshmipathy, Senior Consultant. Dr. Amrutha’s parents – Mr. & Mrs. Anandan, Dr. Suryaprakash (Vishnu Eye Clinic), Dr. Murali, and her husband, Mr. Teja were present on the occasion.
Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman & Director, Dept. of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Dr. Prema Padmanabhan, Distinguished Senior Consultant, Dr. Rama Rajagopal, Director, Dr. Radhika N., Deputy Director, Dept. of Cornea Services, and all consultants were present to pay homage to their beloved colleague. Dr. Girish S. Rao presented Mr. and Mrs. Anandan with a bouquet, and Dr Pramod Bhende presented Dr. Amrutha’s husband with a memento.
Dr. Rama Rajagopal introduced the award and recollected Dr. Amrutha’s legacy. The 6 fellows competing for the award were all excellent and the decision to choose the winner was a tough one, said Dr. Rama.
Dr. Prema Padmanabhan came on stage and thanked the parents for helping to set up the award and praised the performance of all 6 fellows. Dr. Radhika N., recollected that Dr. Amrutha was soft-spoken and super confident though she was petite and said she was one of best fellows in the department. Dr. Geetha Iyer, Dr. Niveditha Narayanan, and Dr. Meena Lakshmipathy too spoke fondly of the late fellow and shared their memories of the young ophthalmologist.
Her family shared memories of their beloved daughter and niece. Dr. R. Surya Prakash, her uncle, shared memories of his niece, remembering her dedication and hard working spirit. Mr. Teja also thanked everyone for sharing their thoughts of his wife.
Dr. T. S. Surendran and Dr. Girish S. Rao expressed their thanks to the family of the late Dr. Amrutha.
The awards were then distributed.
Dr.Sunita Pandey received the “Dr. Amrutha Mahalakshmi Endowment Award” for the Best Outgoing Fellow from Mr. and Mrs. Anandan, and Dr. Prema Padmanabhan. Dr. Swetha Ravichandran won “The Outstanding Fellow” award presented by Dr. Rama Rajagopal and Dr. Radhika N.
The other candidates received their fellowship completion awards in this ceremony:
Dr. Nimisha Nagpal received her award from Dr. Bhaskar Srinivasan and Dr. Mamta Agarwal.
Dr. Nikhil Navneet received the award from Dr. Geetha Iyer and Dr. Niveditha Narayanan.
Dr. Varsha Bhambhani received the award from Dr. Meena Lakshmipathy and Dr. Shweta S Agarwal.
Dr. Karan Nathani who was on duty at Kolkata, was also to receive this award.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Shweta Agarwal.
Dr. V. V. Jaichandran, Dept. of Anesthesiology, Receives BEST INNOVATION’22 Award
Dr. V. V. Jaichandran, Deputy Director, Dept. of Anesthesiology, won the Best Innovation’22 prize for his innovation, “Real-time view Mannequin for Practicing Needle blocks,” developed along with the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT-M, Chennai at the 14th International Congress of Anesthesiologists – South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation – Association for Anesthesiologists (SAARC AA 2022). The Congress was held in Mumbai from 12th – 14th, August 2022.
Sankara Nethralaya and Lion’s Club of Central Madras conduct State Level Chess Tournament for the Visually Impaired
The Vision Enhancement Clinic (VEC) of Sankara Nethralaya and Lions Club of Central Madras organised the 2nd State Level Chess Tournament with technical support from the Tamil Nadu Braille Chess Association (TNBCA) for the visually impaired at Sankara Nethralaya, Nungambakkam, Chennai on 6thAugust 2022, from 8.30am onwards. The State level Chess Tournament for the visually impaired commemorated the 44thChess Olympiad and the 52nd Charter Nite Celebrations of Lions Club of Central Madras. Around 50 participants took part from all over Tamil Nadu. It is notable that in the women’s category there were about nine participants at the state-level.
Lion Mohammed Naveen, District Governor DIST.324M inaugurated the camp by lighting the Kuthuvillakku and playing the first move with young chess player Mohammed Jamir. Lion Thirumurugan S. President of the Club, Lion.S.Balasundaram, Chairman Charter Nite Committee and many members of the Club, and Dr Rashima, HOD – VEC started the event.
Mr Vignesh General Secretary, Tamil Nadu Braille Chess Association (TNBC) provided the technical support along with his team members. He is an international FIDE rated chess player, Arbiter, and Chess coach. He has arbitrated Chess tournaments at the international levels.
The chess tournament had four rounds under three categories such as under 17 years – Student, Women’s and Open. The atmosphere at the venue tournament was enthusiastic and many participants had travelled overnight to Chennai just for this tournament from the remote districts of Tamil Nadu. The event was sponsored by Mr.Dilip, and Mrs.Viji Dilip family.
The one-day tournament ended with the Prize Distribution Ceremony, held at 4:30 p.m. at Sankara Nethralaya. The occasion was graced by the chief guest Dr.J. Radhakrishnan, IAS, Principal Secretary for Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department and the guest of honor Mr.B.Vijayakumar (visually impaired), Advocate. Dignitaries Dr Girish Shiva Rao (President – Sankara Nethralaya), Mr Dilip, Lion Mr Thirumurugan, Lion Balasundaram, Lion Rangarajan K, Lion.Dr.N.Muthukumaran and a large number of lions graced the occasion.
Ms Dhanalakshmi (VEC) welcomed the gathering, Lion Thirumurugan President gave the opening speech thanking Sankara Nethralaya and TNBCA for their generous support. Dr Rashima gave a brief about the event and shared the glimpses of the event to the audience.
Dr. Radhakrishnan was appreciative of this tournament and the participants. Also he said, that the participants may not have Vision in their Eyes, but, definitely they have Vision in their Hearts. Hence they prove their Mettle while they read or play. The Principal Secretary also congratulated the Organizers for holding the event at the same time as the 44th Chess Olympiad 2022. He also noted that Braille Chess needs to be promoted more.
Mr Vijayakumar, Advocate spoke on the history of the Chess Tournaments and expressed a desire for Chess Tournaments to be conducted between Persons with Good Vision and the Visually Impaired.
One of the international rated player Mr Jayaprakash R shared his views about the event. He said that the event was very well conducted professionally and wished this could happen periodically for encouraging the young chess players.
Dr. J Radhakrishnan awarded the cash prizes and certificates to the winners and participation Certificates to all. Many of the participants were FIDE rated international chess players, and it was a great experience to watch these players in action. Cash prizes were given to first 10 out of 30 players in the open category , first 6 out of 15 players in the under 17 category and first 5 out of 9 players in the women’s category.
Sankara Nethralaya thanks Lion’s Club of Central Madras for making this event a grand success and Lion R.Viswanathan and Lion.S. Balasundaram for coordinating this tournament at such short notice. Dr. Rashima A., HOD, Vision Enhancement Clinic and the professionals of the VEC team were pivotal to the success of the tournament.