Kumari Uthara Unnikrishnan Performs Virtual Charity Fundraising Concert
Sankara Nethralaya USA hosted a concert by National Award Winner Kumari Uthara Unnikrishnan in the fight against preventable blindness. Each year, Sankara Nethralaya USA hosts numerous fundraising concerts to raise awareness and funds for the deserving patients.
Kumari Uthara Unnikrishnan (born 2004) is an Indian playback singer. In 2015, she won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer at the 62nd National Film Awards at the age of 10, becoming its youngest recipient. She received the award for her soulful interpretation of the song “Azhage” (Beautiful) from the 2014 Tamil film Saivam, directed by A. L. Vijay.
Kumari Uthara Unnikrishnan started her virtual performance by offering an invocation to Lord Ganapathi composed by Lord Agathiyar in Tamil sung in Thilang ragam and Adi talam. Shri P. Unnikrishnan introduced the virtual event and invited all the viewers to enjoy the virtual performance organized by SN USA.
Then Kumari Uthara sang the Telugu song, “Pibare Rama Rasam” composed by Sadasiva Brahmendra rendered beautifully in raga Ahir Bhairav in Adi talam. She then rendered the Sanskrit song, Maadhava Maam Deva, a Krishna Kirthi in Sanksrit composed by Narayana Theerthar in Neelabari ragam and Adi talam. Her second song was the popular film song Maadu Meikkum Kanne in Tamil composed by Oothukkadu Venkat Subbaiyar.
The young prodigy sang a total of 7 Telugu and 2 Kannada devotional classical songs by various composers proving her versatility.
The closing speech was given by Shri Moorthy Rekapalli, Vice President, Sankara Nethralaya USA. He thanked everyone for watching and supporting the cause. He thanked the vocalist, Sri Uthara Unnikrishnan and the accompanying musicians for their flawless performances. He also thanked Sri Shyam Appali, Board of Trustees, for taking care of all the technical aspects.
The virtual event raised a significant amount. Thanks are due to media partners SakshiTV, manaTV, TVAsia, TV5, GNN, and US1 for promoting Sankara Nethralaya activities.
Sankara Nethralaya celebrates World Diabetes Day
SN celebrates World Diabetes Day (WDD) on November 14th
This year we conducted a camp for people with diabetes who were hospitalized for COVID 19 infection. The theme of WDD this year was to improve the access of care to people with diabetes.
There is evidence that patients with diabetes who additionally were hospitalised for Covid showed higher progression in diabetic retinopathy. This could be due to many reasons such as ischemia experienced in Covid or due to lack of access to eye care during lockdown and fear of stepping out to get eye care assessment done. Close to 600 patients were called on 14th November 2021 to the main branch for assessment. This was done over 2 weeks with the help of the Communication department and Diabetic retinopathy team who called eligible patients and gave appointments.
A battery of tests that included ocular and Covid history, vision assessment, ocular biomicroscopy and applanation tonometry. Following this the patients were dilated with mydriatic drop, fundus photograph was taken, their HbA1c was assessed with one prick test. Dilated fundus evaluation was planned to be done by an ophthalmologist.
Based on the diagnosis, the patients were given counselling and advice by dietician on controlling blood sugar levels. Additionally, this year special yoga which included breath control and simple yoga exercises were included.
Unfortunately, due to heavy rainfall and water lodging in many areas of Chennai, many elderly patients could not report on the specified date. Of the patients who reported, 68% patients had no diabetic retinopathy, 24% had diabetic retinopathy but showed no progression and 16% of patients who had progression were referred for additional investigations and treatment.
Besides this initiative, Dr Rajiv Raman wrote an article in “Hindu” a leading newspaper in Tamilnadu explaining Frequently Asked Questions on Diabetic retinopathy.
In addition, an article with input of Dr RRN on Diabetic Retinopathy written by Mr A P Irungovel, Manager- Medical Sociology was published in the Famous Tamil Weekly Kalki.
Infection Control Awareness Program at SN Kolkata
Infection Prevention and Control is one of the most important issues in the health care setting at present. To spread awareness about this important issue, a novel Infection Control Awareness Program (ICAP) was conducted at the Sankara Nethralaya Kolkata centers of SNK, Mukundpur and Rajarhat from 8th to 13th November 2021.
ICAP consisted of interesting talks on different topics like Hand hygiene, Prevention of Needle stick injury, Use of PPE, Biomedical waste Management and Hospital disinfection and cleaning, along with demonstrations and online quiz, which was an extraordinary success.
The huge participation by the hospital employees in the Q & A sessions, quiz, poster and slogan competitions made the program more so exciting.
We thank everyone involved for their invaluable contributions to the success of this ICAP 2021 at SNK.
Sankara Nethralaya’s Newark Delaware Chapter is a grand success.
For 2 weekends in September, the Sankara Nethralaya name resonated across the Delaware Indian population. Sankara Nethralaya Trustees Piram Manickavasagam and Ravi Maraka worked hand in hand with Smt. Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan, artistic director of Salangai School of Performing arts and hosted this grand kickoff event for Sankara Nethralaya Delaware Chapter.
It was a unique and bold move by Salangai School of Performing arts to have their annual event as a virtual event. 75 performers participated in this event which had a reach of more than 3000 people on Facebook and helped to raise significant donations.
Sankara Nethralaya President Emeritus S.V Acharya addressed the audience before the Bharathanatyam program and noted about Sankara Nethralaya fundraiser events, how they leveraged mobile eye surgical units and thanked Salangai School of Performing arts students and Guru. He thanked Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan for hosting the event for a noble cause.
Right after the address magic behind the classical art form began to unfold one after the other. It was a treat to watch the kids in traditional Indian classical dance costumes perform for vibrant and beautiful choreography. It is also noteworthy to mention some of the performers were first timers and they have been learning the dance only through virtual sessions and with just a couple of in person practice sessions the kids were able to perform in this grand event.
Senior students Adithi Jonnagadla, Praharshitha Nagraj, Pooja Guduguntala and Sreenidhi Das gave a solo performance. Priya Jeyakumar, past student of Salangai School who completed her arrangetram in 2019 also gave a solo performance in this event. Their passion, hard work and discipline in learning the classical dance for several years showed up in their performances.
Final day of performance included a dance presentation on Lord Krishna by Guru Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan and her son and disciple Akshath Piram and Yashwath Piram. This section had 4 songs in three different languages – Telugu, Tamil and Kannada.
First performance of this section stole most people’s hearts in which a 3 year old boy (little Krishna) entered the scene dancing along with his mom with cute moves and mischievous smile. Next performance was for a song Aadithano Ranga which aptly captured the episode of clash between Serpent King Kalinga and Lord Krishna followed by a Varnam depicting Krishna and Sudama friendship and Gajendra Moksham tales. ‘Varnam’ is considered a difficult piece in Bharathanatyam and Akshath Piram performing a Varnam at 10 year old with at most perfection received raving reviews.
Final performance of the event was a riveting dance performance by mother son duo – Guru Indhumadhi Gopalakrishnan and her son Akshath Piram for a Mahabaratha Sabdam. Mahabaratha Sabdam portrayed one of the most iconic scenes, in which Yudhishthira rolls away his possessions, his kingdom, his brothers, and even his own freedom, though Krishna’s protection saves his wife from total humiliation. This is the most intense scene in Mahabaratham and to do justice to this scene is a challenging task. But the duo completely transformed themselves into their characters and gave a powerful performance that sure did touch viewer’s emotions and won their hearts.
The event concluded with a Thank you note in which Salangai School director thanked all participants and their parents, Guru’s Legend Mudurai R Muralidharan, Guru Dr. Ratheesh Babu and Guru Smt. Supriya Ravikumar and all friends and families who supported the event.
President Bala Reddy Indurti, Vice President Moorthy Rekapalli, Secretary Srinivas Ganagoni thanked all the Trustees and Volunteers who are working selflessly to restore vision for indigent patients.
Bala Indurti worked with local trustees Piram Manickavasagam and Ravi Maraka to launch the Newark Delaware Chapter. Thanks are due to Board of Trustees Shankar Setty and Dr. Raj Modi from nearby states for their unconditional support. Thanks are due to Board of Trustee Shyam Appali, Theagarajan for making video and flyers to the event.
Thanks are due to media partners SakshiTV, manaTV, TVAsia, TV5, GNN, US1, and Tori for promoting Sankara Nethralaya activities.
During the pandemic we have conducted the following virtual events to bring the awareness and help the indigent blind patients.
- Nataraja Natyanjali’s 100 days of kuchipudi dance programs
- A Jagannathan Memorial Series of concerts for one year
- Satadina Swararchana semi classical music programs
- Jay Kannan concert
- Natyothsava
Sankara Nethralaya is one of the 4 best ophthalmic institutions and one of the 100 best hospitals in the World per Newsweek. Sankara Nethralaya OM (Ophthalmic Mission) Trust is based in USA and has received the highest rating of four stars by charity navigator for maintaining the transparency for funds donated by donors and how they are utilized towards a noble cause.
To read the article on Great Andhra.com, please click here:- https://www.greatandhra.com/articles/special-articles/sankara-nethralayas-delaware-chapter-is-a-grand-success-116697
Sankara Nethralaya’s Optometrists Achieve Fellowship during the American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting in Boston, MA
Dr Viswanathan Sivaraman, Ms. Aparna G, Ms. Azfira Hussain, Ms. Ayisha Atiya and Mr. Soumen Sadhu became Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) during Academy 2021 Boston, November 3-6, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. They joined a near record-breaking number of 299 new Fellows welcomed into the Academy this year.
Professionals who become Fellows of the Academy must complete a rigorous candidacy process. Candidates submit extensive written work and must also pass an oral examination. A panel of leading optometrists and vision scientists must approve both the written work and oral examination. Approximately ten percent of practicing optometrists are Fellows of the Academy. Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry constantly strive for the highest professional standards.
The American Academy of Optometry annual meetings are recognized as presenting the latest in research and information on patient and vision care.Highlights of the Academy annual meeting included more than 300 hours of continuing education (CE) courses, scientific presentations and an exhibit hall with more than 100 companies exhibiting. More than 6,500 optometrists, vision care professionals, vision scientists and optometry students from around the world attended this prestigious meeting.
About the American Academy of Optometry
The American Academy of Optometry (Academy) enhances excellence in optometric practice by fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through its journal, Optometry and Vision Science, and the continuing education presented at its annual meeting. Fellows of the Academy are committed to the premise that learning is a lifelong obligation of a professional, as is the commitment to expand the profession’s knowledge base through ongoing fellowship and exchange.
The next annual meeting of the Academy will be held October 26-29, 2022in San Diego, California. For more information, visit the website: http://www.aaopt.org
A Smart Move by Sankara Nethralaya and Vision-Aid
Sankara Nethralaya and Vision-Aid, an international NGO that works for the welfare of the visually impaired, are long-term partners, collaborating on various vision rehabilitation programs including running the Vision Enhancement Clinic (VEC) at Sankara Nethralaya’s Shenoy Nagar campus. In partnership with the India-based NGO Trees for Life India, Vision-Aid gave away 10 smartphones to visually impaired patients of the Low Vision Care Clinic (LVC) and VEC at Sankara Nethralaya main campus in Chennai on Oct 28th 2021.
In the first phase of a much larger rollout, ten visually impaired deserving patients of the LVC and the VEC were given smartphones in a small event. The phone distribution event was a closed group event in accordance with the continuing guidelines against the COVID19 pandemic. The event also serves to encourage optometrists and rehabilitation specialists with knowledge of the latest smartphone apps.
Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice- Chairman, Dr. Pramod Bhende, Director of Vitreo-Retina Services, Dr B Shantha, Senior Consultant – Glaucoma Services, Mr. V. L. Narasimhan and Mr. Vijay Francis from Vision-Aid, India attended the ceremony.
An intensive training schedule jointly conducted by Sankara Nethralaya and Vision-Aid to assist the beneficiaries will follow this event. The training schedule aims at teaching the beneficiaries to use the smart phones and assistive mobile apps efficiently to overcome the daily challenges of the visually challenged.
Though there are many sophisticated mobile apps freely available for modern smartphones, few are aware of their existence and know how to use them to improve their day-to-day living.
Smart phone companies have poured a lot of money into creating very powerful technology in today’s smart phones, such as AI-based apps that help blind users see objects around them, navigation apps that help the visually challenged to navigate safely, and learning apps that connect to a range of digital resources for learning and education. Through such apps, smart phones can become like constant, personal companions, helping to enable, educate and empower the blind and visually impaired to live with independence and dignity.
Sankara Nethralaya wins The Economic Times Healthcare “Best Hospital – Ophthalmology (National)” Award
After being recognized as one among the ‘Best 4 Ophthalmological Institutions in the World for Year 2021’ by Newsweek, the international news magazine, Sankara Nethralaya wins the The Economic Times Healthcare Awards 2021 for Best Hospital – Ophthalmology on the national level.
We thank all our consultants, nursing, staff and our supporters for their hard work and dedication to provide total eye-care solutions of highest standards to all sections of community in a patient-friendly environment.
Inauguration of the SN – Sanmar Centre of Excellence for Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SeNSCE SJS)
The SN – Sanmar Centre of Excellence for Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SeNSCE SJS) was inaugurated on 11th October 2021 in the H. T. Parekh block, JKCN in association with the Sanmar Group. The inaugural puja of the restricted entry facility was attended by Mr. Vijay Shankar, Deputy Chairman, The Sanmar Group, Dr. Girish S. Rao, President, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Vice Chairman and Director – Paediatric Ophthalmology, Dr. Pramod Bhende, Director, Ophthalmology – Vitreo Retinal, Dr. Rama Rajagopal, and other dignitaries.
Stevens – Johnson Syndrome SJS is a serious auto-immune disorder – a reaction to common medications such as antibiotics and anti –epileptic medications that leads to corneal blindness in the later stages of the disease. Worldwide, an estimated 30,000 children and adults suffer from this devastating disease. Sankara Nethralaya has been at the forefront of management of ocular sequelae of SJS, contributing significantly to research, clinical expertise, and patient care.
In 2003, Sankara Nethralaya was the first to start the very complicated and complex MOOKP or “tooth-in-the-eye” surgery for patients of SJS. The Ocular Surface Disorders clinic was established in 2005. In 2007, the clinic was dedicated to Dr. G. Sitalakshmi and renamed as the Dr. G. Sitalakshmi Memorial Clinic for Ocular Surface Disorders. In the past 2 decades, Sankara Nethralaya has been pioneering management strategies contributing to global paradigm shifts in the management of SJS, and the only ophthalmic centre in the world to offer all management options under one roof.
Dr. Geetha Iyer paid homage to the gurus Dr. S. S. Badrinath, Late Srimati Dr. G. Sitalakshmi, and Late Prof Giancarlo Falcinelli, acknowledging their support and encouragement that goes towards making Ocular Surface Disorders clinic one of the best in the country.
Dr. Bhaskar Srinivasan, Dr. Geetha Iyer, and Dr. Shweta S Agarwal form the core team of the SeNSCE SJS facility with a distinguished board of members to support their services. Dr. Prema Padmanabhan, Dr. Rama Rajagopal, and Dr. Girish S. Rao, President are the mentors.
Dr. Geetha Iyer welcomed all members who attended the presentation virtually and read out their messages. Calling Sankara Nethralaya’s ophthalmologists and scientists the vanguard Prof. James Chodosh said, “It is indeed a high honor to be asked to join the Board of the SN – Sanmar Centre of Excellence for Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SeNSCE SJS)… this important new center is certain to dramatically speed progress towards elimination of blindness from this devastating affliction.”
Prof Scheffer C. G. Tseng congratulated the SeNSCE facility in receiving a generous grant towards targeting SJS. He said it was a true unmet clinical need and last ocular surface frontier. Prof. Christopher Liu also congratulated the facility on behalf of the British Ophthalmology and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Dr. Koushik Bhojani sent his blessings and lauded the Sankara Nethralaya team for pursuing a venture few would support.
Dr. Muralidhar lauded Dr. Geetha Iyer for bringing together dermatologists and for her dedication to the project. Dr. Dhanapalani said it was a privilege to be involved in the project and that he looked forward to work with the team. He appreciated the efforts of Sankara Nethralaya in putting together the team.
Dr. Girish S. Rao, Dr. T. S. Surendran, Dr. Pramod Bhende, Dr. Rama Rajagopal, Dr. Bhaskar, Dr. Shweta S Agarwal, gifted Mr. Vijayshankar a token of gratitude on stage. Dr. Pramod Bhende presented Dr. Muralidhar with a token of appreciation.
Mr. Vijayshankar recalled his family’s long association with Sankara Nethralaya and appreciated all the ophthalmologists involved with the initiative. He congratulated the team for bringing together the successful initiative.
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.