A publisher of repute, a prestigious builder and a group of spirited runners rise to the occasion most gloriously.
At Sankara Nethralaya we are only too aware that our commitment towards eradicating blindness and bringing the light of vision and smile back on the face of the visually impaired, especially the indigent would remain unfulfilled without help from generous and like- minded individuals and institutions. As a service oriented institution nothing is more heartening to us than the gesture of busy enterprises and individuals taking time from their most pressing schedules and compelling business commitments to fulfil an inner calling, to serve humanity. In a shining example of giving without being asked and giving with humility the ‘Prestige Group’ among the nation’s most reputed builders, known for their landmark projects, made a huge contribution in support of Sankara Nethralaya’s cost free eye care initiatives, the donation was made at the request of Shri Irfan Razack the MD of the organization who holds the institution’s service to the poor in high regard and the cheque was handed over to Dr. SS.Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus by Shri Suhail Ahmed, Senior Manager Accounts. The Scientific Publishing Company among the foremost in educational publishing in the country exhibited its concern for the same cause by donating two buses to facilitate the cost free transport of patients, the keys to the brand new vehicles were handed over by Shri Sharad Wasani, CEO of Scientific Publishing and Shri Selvaganesh, Manager-Accounts to Dr. SS.Badrinath and Dr TS.Surendran, Vice-Chairman, Sankara Nethralaya at a simple flagging off ceremony at the main campus of Sankara Nethralaya. The Marina Runnerz a group of young runners gave running a new meaning by organizing a charity marathon of their members and the general public for social causes, while the cost free stall provided at the YMCA, Nandanam, the venue of the curtain raiser provided Sankara Nethralaya employees an opportunity to communicate the institution’s message to the large number of visitors, Senior Consultants Dr. Aditya Varma and Dr. Chetan Rao answered eye care related queries of the attendees at the stall. The proceeds of the run were handed over to Dr SS.Badrinath by Shri Prasanna Kumar Nathella, Shri Soni and Ms Rashmi Gupta the organizers of the charity marathon towards supporting cost free eye care to poor patients.
Sankara Nethralaya pays homage to Saint Sathya Sai Baba
Aradhana of the highly revered and globally adored spiritual leader and humanist par excellence Sathya Sai Baba whose life and message continue to inspire millions of people to lead more purposeful lives through his timeless and universal teachings, was observed at Sankara Nethralaya with fervour and spirit of service by employees, volunteers and devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, amidst chanting of Bhajans and Keerthans on 25th April 2016.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s contribution to the society through his innumerable teachings and welfare measures such as establishing higher educational institutions and universities, health care projects including super specialty hospitals at Puttaparthi, White Field amongst many other places, Pure drinking water projects to over 700 villages in and around Puttaparthi, stand remarkably apart showing the undaunted spirit of the noblest souls that humanity has ever seen.
An Auspicious Prelude to the Inaugural of a State-of the Art Facility
The ‘Temple of the Eye’ rose gloriously to Acharya’s call to serve the visually impaired with a missionary spirit, by stretching its wings of service over the erstwhile Wellingdon hospital premises, paving way for the Sri A. Sivasailam Block, a State of the Art facility, named after one of its oldest supporters and friends, to render tertiary Ophthalmic care to meet the ever increasing demand for the same.
At a ceremonial function, under the auspices of the Junior Pontiff of Kanchi Mutt, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal amidst chanting of Vedas, the couple, Dr. Prema Padmanabhan, Director – Special projects and Sri Padmanbhan performed the Ganapathi, Navagraha and Vastu Homams on Thursday, 21st April 2016.
Blessing the employees and participants at the function, the Acharya remarked that the globally recognised institution was doing subtle “Manava Seva” in a dharmic manner and shall continue to do so with dynamism and never dying spirit. He praised Sankara Nethralaya for its pioneering research, imparting training and education and leading the country with many firsts.
Chief Donors to the Sri A. Sivasailam Block, distinguished Smt Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited and her family took part in the ceremony with great enthusiasm.
The event witnessed honouring of project members including contractors and employees for their valuable contribution.
The eye care pioneer launches a revolutionary new process aimed at perfect vision!
While vision impairments causing partial or total blindness are easily perceptible, minor vision anomalies often go unnoticed and undiagnosed leading to serious issues in the course of time. A typical case of such an anomaly is poor ‘Binocular Vision’ which impedes the capacity of the left and right eyes to co-ordinate in perceiving images and sending co-ordinated messages to the brain; accommodation difficulties and eye movement disorders are other common vision anomalies. Such anomalies manifest themselves in the form of eyestrain, blurred vision, frequent headaches, double vision and tired eyes. As an institution committed to a holistic approach to healthy vision and eye care Sankara Nethralaya looks beyond conventional eye care; initiatives like the ‘Low Vision Clinic’ and the ‘Neuro-Optometry Clinic’ are good examples of this approach. The latest endeavour in this direction is providing its vast domain expertise to Digital Works a software company in the development of TRYe (Train Your eyes) a user friendly, versatile vision therapy software that addresses vision anomalies effectively. The software was formally launched at a simple function held at the Vision Therapy Clinic at the Sankara Nethralaya Main by Dr.SS.Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus and Dr.Vasanthi Badrinath, Director Clinical Services, Sri Nathella Sampathu Clinical Laboratory, Sankara Nethralaya. Ms. Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen, Incharge – Binocular Vision Clinic and Lecturer at the Elite School of Optometry, extended a warm welcome to the gathering assembled and demonstrated the software, she explained the features and purpose of the software in detail and clarified their queries.
About TRYe
• Train Your Eyes (TRYe) is a new Indigenous Vision Therapy Software Product designed and developed by Digital Works Technologies Private Ltd., using the domain expertise of Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai.
• Developed on latest technology platforms with the ability to run on PC, Laptops, Mobile & Tablets
• Designed for clinic based and home based vision therapy
What is Unique about TRYe?
1. Has normative reference data specific to Indian patients
2.Tested on a large set of patients
3. Training provided for the eye care practitioners by expert Binocular vision practitioners prior to the delivery of TRYe
4. Simple training modules specific for child and adult
5. Compatible with all installation platforms
6. Very easy to handle by any tech-novice patient
7. Easy follow-up for the practitioner
TRYe- Features
The role of TRYe assumes great relevance as recent global and Indian statistics indicate an alarmingly high prevalence of about 30% of binocular vision anomalies among school children and adults who have highly demanding near visual tasks. These binocular vision anomalies reflect poor eye muscle co-ordination and cause a lot of visual discomfort ranging from eyestrain, headache and double vision resulting in aversion to near work.
While vision therapy (eye exercises) has proven to be efficacious in improving the eye muscle coordination, conventional vision therapy options are becoming obsolete and monotonous leading to the need for innovative vision therapy solutions. Presently available vision therapy software too have their limitations in terms of lacking in indigenous normative data, not so user friendly interface, difficulties with patient follow-up, lack of technical support besides being expensive.
TRYe overcomes these limitations and provides practitioners and patients a friendly tool that addresses a variety of accommodation and binocular vision dysfunctions. It also has the significant advantage of having diagnostic, therapeutic and follow-up tool, all in one package.
To know more about this exciting vision care software please contact
Jameel Rizwana Hussaindeen M.phil Opt, FCOVD-I, FAAO
Incharge Binocular Vision Clinic
Sankara Nethralaya, A Unit of Medical Research Foundation,
Chennai- 600 006, India
Email: rizwana@snmail.org
Station Director of the Madras Atomic Power Station pays glowing tributes to the Mobile Eye Surgical Team
The Sri V.D. Swami auditorium at the Sankara Nethralaya (Main) campus on college road came live to a lot of jubilation, the air was filled with passionate, adulatory observations on the institution’s revolutionary community ophthalmology initiative for creating a good impact at a recent camp, by senior officials of the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) Kalpakkam, on the 6th of April 2016. The occasion was the felicitation and honouring of the team operating the ‘Mobile Eye Surgical Unit,’ Sankara Nethralaya’s revolutionary and ‘One of its kind in Asia’ operation theatre on wheels, which had performed a high number of Cataract surgeries, benefiting villagers surrounding the Kalpakkam plant, as part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Power Station.
Welcoming the audience Dr P.S.Rajesh head of the MESU complimented his teammatesfor their wonderful team work and involvement which he described as a shining example of the ‘Sankara Nethralaya Spirit’. Speaking on an emotional note Chief Guest Shri Ravi Satyanarayana the Station Director of facility expressed that the selfless spirit, concern and hard work demonstrated by the MESU team filled him with an unshakeable belief and faith that ‘India will grow and prosper’ with its future in the hands of such spirited and committed young men. He described the MESU camp at Kalpakkam as a service to the ‘Poorest of the poor’. Sharing his views Shri K.Suresh, Superintendent Quality Assurance and Convenor CSR Committee, MAPS underlined that the MESU camp helped in endearing his institution with the local community and enhanced its image as a humane institution going beyond atomic power generation and management of energy. Making his observation that the joy of revived vision was a heavenly experience which cannot be described in words but can only be experienced, he explained that it is this joy that the MESU team has brought into the lives of the poor visually impaired living in the neighbouring villages.
The event witnessed the honouring of every member of the MESU team comprising of camp in-charge, operation theatre staff, maintenance staff, IT support staff, nurses, anaesthetists, Fellows, drivers of the unit and Consultants, with a plaque by the Chief Guest Shri Ravi Satyanarayana, Station Director, Madras Atomic Power Station.
Introducing the Chief Guest of the day as the very epitome of the saying ‘Simple Living High Thinking’ Dr.KS.Vasan, Managing Director, Sankara Nethralaya described the MAPS as a great example of India’s technological advancement and self reliance.
Thanking the senior officials of the MAPS and the Korean Consul General to Chennai for gracing the occasion Dr. SS.Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus, Sankara Nethralaya, observed that it was most heartening to note that in a fast paced, self seeking world where no one had any time for anyone other than himself, the MAPS and its officials have spent their time and resources in conducting such a noble camp and have showered their love and affection on the MESU team, their partner in service. He had a high word of praise for the members of the MESU team who have stayed away from their families for weeks together and put in hard, sincere work from morning to evening to make the screening/surgical camp a great success. He hoped that the adulation and love and affection showered on the MESU team by the MAPS officials would trigger a positive vibration among all the staff members assembled on the occasion and inculcate a spirit of service and sacrifice in them. The emotionally charged function closed with a spirited Vote of Thanks by Dr.Gajendra Kumar Varma a Consultant serving at the MESU.
Global body dedicated to education and best practices in Contact Lens usage, chooses expert from Sankara Nethralaya to lead its Asia Pacific region.
It is with a sense of great pride and joy that we share that Dr. Rajeswari Mahadevan, Head of the Contact Lens Centre, Sankara Nethralaya and Assistant Professor, Elite School of Optometry, has been appointed as the ‘Asia Pacific Regional President’ of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE), the global educational organization dedicated to raising the standard of contact lens education worldwide and promote the widespread and safe use of Contact lens. It would be noteworthy to recall here that she was selected as ‘IACLE Asia Pacific Contact Lens educator of the Year’ and certified as a Fellow of the highly prestigious British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) in year 2014.
A company synonymous with vibrant colours chooses ‘harvesting’ of colourless ‘fluid of life’ to give back to society.
As an institution committed to the conservation and optimum usage of natural resources, Sankara Nethralaya commissioned ‘Rain Water Harvesting’ systems (RWH) at six locations within its main campus, to effectively capture and store rainwater for future use. The project was sponsored by “Asian Paints” India’s leading manufacturer of paints for decorative and industrial purposes, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and executed by Akash Ganga Trust the well known not for profit and Citizen’s action group.
At a simple function launching the “Rainwater Harvesting systems” held on 30th March 2016, Dr. Shekar Raghavan, Director, Akash Ganga-Rain Centre, expressed that their team was proud to implement the system as part of the CSR activities of Asian Paints. In his address, enumerating the activities of the ‘Rain Centre’ including sensitizing people about the critical need for Rain Water Harvesting in view of the evils of mindless urbanization and conducting surveys on the impact of RWH, Dr. Shekar highlighted that they had implemented similar projects at prestigious NGOs such as the Cancer Institute, Ramakrishna Mutt, Madras Seva Sadan and Theosophical Society to name a few.
In his brief address Mr. Cherry, Manager, Quality Assurance, Asian Paints exclaimed that they felt honoured to be associated with Sankara Nethralaya to achieve their goals of “Water neutrality”.
Thanking Mr. Cherry and Dr. Shekar Raghavan, Lt Col. Raghavan, Advisor-Projects, Sankara Nethralaya observed that the effective recycling of water already being implemented at Sankara Nethralaya and the launch of a new initiative in this direction, in the form of Rain Water Harvesting, would greatly reduce the quantum of water purchased for the hospital’s consumption, leading to long term, recurring savings for the institution.
Sankara Nethralaya hosts “Inflammatio” an electrifying International Colloquium on Uvea
The premier global colloquium on “Intraocular Inflammatory diseases” started off at a glittering function at the Sri V D Swami Auditorium on 18th March 2016 with a mellifluous rendition of the invocation by Dr Manideepa, Fellow at the Pediatric Opthalmology department.
Organising Secretary, Dr. Mamta Agarwal in her introduction to the conference hailed that the international arena would throw open discussions on challenging cases of Uveitis and promote interaction with other specialities. Eminent Ophthalmologist Dr. Narsing Rao, Professor of Ophthalmology and Pathology, Keck School of Medicine and Director of Uveitis Service, Los Angeles, USA, in his greeting message wished the program a grand success.
Dr. Pramod Bhende, Director, Medical Affairs followed up the ceremonial lighting of the lamp to mark the inaugural of the event with an interesting insight into the genesis of Sankara Nethralaya and its expansion programs on community services.
Senior Uvea Consultant Dr. Sudharshan took the audience through the tour of departmental achievements and activities and hailed glory to their mentor Director Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas.
Dr Amala E George, Senior Uvea Consultant in her introduction to the Guest of Honour Prof James T Rosenbaum, remarked that the institution felt honoured to host Prof Rosenbaum, a graduate from three universities namely Harvard, Stanford and Yale who had over 40 awards to his credit including the International Uveitis Study Group Foundation Gold Medal award American College of Rheumatology Distinguished Clinician Scholar Award and the Alcon Research Institute Scholar award.
Delivering the guest of honour address, Prof James Rosenbaum, the Edward E Rosenbaum Professor of Inflammatory Diseases; Chair, Division of Arthritis & Rheumatic Diseases; Professor of Ophthalmology, Medicine and Cell Biology; Head, Uveitis Clinic; Director, Inflammation Research; at the Oregon Health & Science University, discussed the Pitfalls, Progress, promises and challenges in Uveitis care and how technological advances over the last 30 years made tremendous impact on management/ treatment of Uveitis.
Prof Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Director, Ocular Pathology and Uveitis services introduced Prof V.Mohan, highly acclaimed Diabetologist and a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Ireland and Chief of Dr. Mohan Diabetes Specialities Centre, who in his illustrious career headed several researches that translated to practice management of Diabetes.
Delivering the Presidential address, Prof Dr. Mohan, congratulated Sankara Nethralaya for their India Centric research, he pointed that the way forward was to think ‘out of the box’ and ally with international collaborations for world class research and make research interdisciplinary.
The ensuing three day international conference witnessed in-depth discussions on critical topics including Infectious Uveitis, Auto Inflammation Vs Auto immunity, Sclero-uveitis and its impact, Paediatric intraocular tuberculosis, Glaucoma in Childhood amongst others.
A high level deliberation throws light on a complex and intriguing area of eye care
As an eye care institution committed to a 360 degree approach to eye care, Sankara Nethralaya takes a holistic view of factors contributing to eye disorders, the institution has a most advanced neuro-ophthalmology department to diagnose eye ailments caused by nervous disorders or those transmitted from the brain/central nervous system. Vision impairments caused by traumatic brain surgeries, cerebro-vascular accidents including stroke, intracranial surgeries, intraocular tumour extraction, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and neurological illnesses contributed by ocular disturbances remain the most challenging and intriguing to ophthalmologists the world over. The neuro-optometry clinic started recently is a major initiative in addressing such issues. Sankara Nethralaya’s neuro-ophthalmology department conducted a ‘Symposium in Neuro ophthalmology: Afferents Plus Efferents’ (SYNAPSE 2K16) a high level interactive platform for Neuro-ophthalmologists, ophthalmologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, researchers and students to meet, explore, debate and exchange information, knowledge and real-time cases. The presence of internationally acclaimed professionals like Dr.Andrew Lee, Dr. Prem Padmanabhan, Dr. Clement Tan, Dr. Dan Milieu, Dr Sharon Tow, Dr. G.Arjundas, Dr. Vivek Lal, Dr.. Lekha Pandit, Dr. Suresh Bapu, Dr. Sidharth Ghosh, Dr.Lingam Gopal, Dr. Depak Arjundas, and Dr.Lakshmi Narasimhalu underlined the significance of the meet.
The inaugural of the two day meet was graced by long time friend and well wisher of Sankara Nethralaya Professor Bala Balachandran, Founder of the world renowned Great Lakes University in India. Delivering the welcome address Dr S.Ambika, Senior Consultant, Neuro-Opthalmology Department thanked the distinguished guests for gracing the occasion, she explained that the objective of the meeting was to explore and study the best practices in neuro-ophthalmology, which she likened to an Alfred Hitchcock mystery. Dr. Ambika had a high word of praise for the neuro-ophthalmology team whose knowledge and work was exemplified by an exhaustive work like the ‘Atlas of Neurology’. Speaking on the occasion Dr. Smitha Praveen, Senior Consultant described Dr. Bala Balachander as a most inspiring academician, excellent teacher and described him as a man with the LSD quotient (Lakshmi-Profit, Saraswathi-Knowledge and Durga-Power). Professor Andrew Lee recalled his association with Sankara Nethralaya dating back to year 2002 and enthralled the audience with an audio-visual presentation titled ‘You are the hero of your own life’
Chairman Emeritus, Sankara Nethralaya Dr.SS.Badrinath used the occasion to recall his journey of 37 years, right from the days at the Massachusetts Eye Infirmary, the influence of Dr.Charles L.Scheppens on his life, return to India, serving at the Voluntary Health Services Hospital, HM Hospital, Vijaya Hospital, the humble birth and remarkable growth of Sankara Nethralaya to an internationally acclaimed ophthalmic centre, successfully meeting the objective of providing excellent eye care, community ophthalmology, teaching and training and research. He had a high word of praise for the excellent work being carried out by the neuro-opthalmology clinic under Dr.S.Ambika. He emphasized that ‘Quality’ is the most important input and instrumental for the institution being awarded ISO, NABH, NABL, he implored the gathering to never, never compromise quality for quantity. He said it was a matter of utmost Joy that the institution could dispense quality eye care at modest tariff for all eye ailments under one roof, carry out focussed, India centric research and high quality teaching and training endeavours. Dr.SS.Badrinath thanked his colleagues for subscribing to his principle of working for a fixed salary and not engaging in private practice which added financial stress on the paying patients, a practice which impressed the legendary Nani Palkhivala to such an extent that he bequeathed a good portion of his wealth to the institution. He closed his touching talk by expressing his faith that his dedicated colleagues would continue the journey started 38 years ago in the same spirit and philosophy.
Speaking on the topic ‘Technology in Healthcare Management and Data Analysis’ Dr.Bala Balachandar emphasized that in an increasingly demanding world one has to be distinct or extinct, adding that in a world of emerging disruptive technologies it is imperative for healthcare providers to adapt themselves to the latest technology, he highlighted that in a world of Uberization, it is critical for healthcare institutions to adapt to corporate practices like mergers, strategic alliances, technology, cyber security and seek the expertise of intermediaries and money managers, like any other enterprise, to survive and succeed in an extremely competitive marketplace. He clarified that making money should not be construed as an unethical exercise; underlining strongly that money should be in good hands, he emphasized that otherwise it would find its way to the hands of undesirable elements; he urged the gathering to earn money legally and ethically.
The high power event came to a close with a Vote of Thanks by Dr.Shikha Talwar Bhassi, Senior Consultant, Sankara Nethralaya.
‘World Optometry Day’ observed in a befitting manner by the Elite School of Optometry
As part of World Optometry Day celebration 118 students of Elite School of Optometry, the world renowned academic arm of Sankara Nethralaya accompanied by 4 faculty members and an administrator visited a tribal village named Karumanthurai, in the inaccessible Kalvarayan hills in Salem district. The team spent a total of 4 days from the 28th of February to 2nd of March 2016, engaging in various eye care related activities at the remote location, with a socially and economically backward population and little access to quality Medicare.
1. The experts in eye screening of children with a wonderful record in the same screened a total of 3,666 students across 13 schools in a single day (29-02-2016) between 9.30 am and 4.15 pm. A total of 12 student teams comprising 122 members successfully completed the entire operation under the leadership and guidance of Dr. R Krishna Kumar, Principal and N Anuradha, Lecturer and Vision Screening Coordinator. The team was pleasantly surprised to note that only 5 children (0.1%) were found to have refractive errors and 44 children (1.2%) were found to have other eye problems.
2. The ESO team also installed a self testing, illuminated chart in the main market area of the village for creating awareness among the public about their vision status and enabling them to test their eye power with ease. It is noteworthy to add here that the Logmar eye chart used to measure vision acuity was developed in the local language (Tamil) by the ESO, a simple but revolutionary step towards enabling eye check-up of those who were not familiar with the English language. As a next step the ESO began to install such charts in public places to spread its benefit to the masses for whom it was developed. The chart installed at Karumanthurai is the 9th such chart installed by the ESO in a public place and the first one in a remote tribal area.
3. In a unique initiative of raising awareness about Presbyopia, a bank and the local post office were provided with three sets of reading glasses with instructions for the public to use the same whenever they visit these places to check if they had symptoms of this ailment.
4. Awareness on eye health and vision care was imparted by the ESO team to the selected students of Saraswati Vidhya Mandir.
5. Posters on eye and vision care to be displayed prominently at the campus were provided to all the schools where screening was conducted.
6. A motivation talk was given by Dr. Sumathi Narayanan, ESO’s communication faculty to the students of two schools, Prabhavati Matriculation School and Saraswati Vidhya Mandir.
7. A survey on the activities of the children including indoor and outdoor activities was done in a school to understand the relationship between the low prevalence of refractive errors and day to day activities. A Knowledge, attitude and Practice (KAP) study was done among the teachers and students to understand the awareness about refractive errors among them.
8. The entire initiative was planned and carried out as a real-time learning and exposure to public health and community optometry, an important chapter for the third year UG students.
In conclusion it could be said that the diverse activities carried out and stay in a village school were a unique initiative and enriching experience for the students of the ESO. Interacting and playing with the kids at the school hostel and trekking their way to a water falls were fun filled and adventurous moments which the students would carry in their minds for a very long time. As a gesture of their love and kindness the ESO donated comic books to the Saraswathy Vidya Mandir School Library. Shri Nandakumar, Joint Commissioner, Income tax inaugurated the event and gave a motivational talk to the ESO students on 28th Feb 2016
The ESO takes this opportunity to convey its gratitude to Dr. PP. Santanam, Former Principal and Professor, Occupational Optometry and DAASYA, the NGO for their support of this most commendable community health activity.