Sankara Nethralaya Opens New Modular OT Complex in JKCN
Sankara Nethralaya has officially opened its new Modular OT complex, located on our JKCN campus’ 2nd floor, HTP block, as of August 22, 2024 with an official pooja. This state-of-the-art facility marks a milestone in Sankara Nethralaya’s commitment to delivering exceptional ophthalmic care and addressing the evolving needs of both patients and staff.
Constructed in just five months, the new Modular OT complex includes three additional operating theatres dedicated to anterior segment surgeries. This expansion is set to alleviate the previous shortage of full-day OT slots, thus supporting consultants in providing more specialized care. Operations in the new OT complex are expected to be started in the first week of September.
The new facility falls in line with the latest advancements in hospital design, aiming to enhance operational efficiency while minimizing disruption to ongoing services.
The Mahyco Block OT complex in our Padma Bhushan Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus, a cornerstone of Sankara Nethralaya since 1991, conducted its final surgeries on August 24, 2024.
Sankara Nethralaya extends its gratitude to the donors who played a crucial role in the construction of this new OT complex. Their support has been instrumental in bringing this project to fruition.
The new Modular OT complex is anticipated to enhance surgical capabilities and patient care, marking an important milestone in Sankara Nethralaya’s journey.
Sankara Nethralaya Hosts 5th Dr. Rajeswari Mahadevan Memorial Scientific Session
Dr. Rajeswari Mahadevan, affectionately known as Dr. Raji, remains a distinguished name in the field of contact lens practice in India. With a remarkable career spanning over two decades, she gained international recognition for her pioneering contributions to contact lens innovations and specialty practices in the country. In 2020, Sankara Nethralaya established the “Dr. Rajeswari Mahadevan Memorial Contact Lens Oration” on her birthday, September 9.
The 5th Dr. Rajeswari Mahadevan Memorial Scientific Session was held on August 17th and 18th, 2024. The event started with an online quiz competition designed for optometry undergraduates. The online quiz contest saw enthusiastic participation from around 14 optometry colleges, with students actively engaging in the competition. The quiz was conducted by Ms. Varsa Harinya, Mr. Krishna Shah, Mr. Ronit Dutta, and CL postgraduate and fellowship students Mr. Sayak and Mr. Mrityunjoy.
The following day keynote speeches and research presentations focused on contact lenses were featured, with more than 150 registrations from optometry students, faculty, and contact lens practitioners from various parts of the country. Dr. Girish Shiva Rao, President and Executive Medical Director of the Medical Research Foundation and Dr. N. Anuradha, Principal of Elite School of Optometry shared fond memories of Dr. Raji. This year, the session was graced by the presence of Ms. Lakshmi Shinde, CEO of the Optometry Confederation of India, who delivered the keynote address on “Contact Lens Fitting Approach in Ectatic Cornea.” This was followed by a case-based learning session by the SN CL Team, showcasing various types of contact lens fittings for ectatic cornea, complemented by impressive videos and clinical images presented by Ms. Akshaya Balakrishnan, Mr. Ronit Dutta, and Ms. S. Karpagavalli.
The scientific session featured 12 oral presentations from different optometry colleges, which were evaluated by Ms. Lakshmi Shinde and Dr. Rashima Asokan, Head of Occupational Optometry Services at Sankara Nethralaya.
New contests introduced this year, such as the E-poster and Poster Slam Contest on “What Best I Did for My Patient,” were well received by participants. The judging panel was composed of esteemed professionals including Mr. Yeshwant Saoji, Mr. Prasad Sawanth, and Dr. Rashima Asokan.
An interactive session on “Various Contact Lens Options for Myopia Control,” presented by Ms. S. Madhumathi, was followed by a brief talk on Orthokeratology by Ms. Manju, along with a live demonstration of Ortho-K lenses by Ms. Madhumathi, Ms. Manju, Mr. Krishna Shah, and Ms. Varsa Harinya. The session concluded with insightful presentations on Orthokeratology and Scleral Lenses by V Square Medi Solutions and Global OK Vision.
The event also honored outstanding participants with several awards:
- Best Oral Presentation: Ms. Sindhu Vaishnavi from The Sankara Nethralaya Academy (TSNA) and Ms. P. V. Gayathri from SRM Medical College.
- Best Scientific E-Poster: Ms. Diksha Rathi from The Sankara Nethralaya Academy.
- Best Scientific Photography: Mr. Sanjay Ghoia and Mr. Kamalesh from Sankara College of Optometry.
- Best Poster Slam Winner: Mr. Manish Bhagat, Consultant Optometrist, LVPEI.
- Scientific Quiz Winner: Vidyasagar School of Optometry and Vision Science, Kolkata.
- Rapid Fire Quiz Winner: Mr. Sunny Kant from The Sankara Nethralaya Academy.
- Overall, the session was met with high appreciation, sparking numerous stimulating discussions and receiving positive feedback from delegates. It was truly an inspiring and productive event, befitting the legacy of Dr. Raji.
Independence Day 2024 Celebrations at Sankara Nethralaya: Recognizing Excellence and Dedication
The Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus at Sankara Nethralaya was abuzz with excitement as the 78th Independence Day was celebrated with a special awards ceremony recognizing the outstanding contributions of its staff. The event, held at 7:45 AM, was graced by the presence of Dr. V. Thiruppugazh IAS (Retd.), Former Additional Secretary NDMA and Chairman, Advisory Committee for Mitigation of Floods in Chennai, as the chief guest, who also hoisted the flag.
The following awards were presented during the celebration:
Outstanding Performances: Women
Gold Medal: Ms. Kavitha B, Manager, Fund Raising
Silver Medal: Dr. Rashima A, Incharge, Occupational Optometry Services
Outstanding Performances: Men
Gold Medal: Mr. Arumugam D, Incharge, Transport Department
Silver Medal: Mr. Hajakamal Y, Junior Executive, Civil & Electrical Services Department
Best Department Awards
Gold Award: Civil & Electrical Services Department
Silver Award: Department of Biomedical Engineering
Special recognition was given to Dr. Bhaskaran from Internal Medicine, who has been with Sankara Nethralaya for an extraordinary 45 years.
Long service awards were presented to several dedicated employees:
35 Years: Dr. Vijaya L (Glaucoma), Ms. Usha V (Medical Transcription), Mr. Krupanandam A (Outpatient Services)
30 Years: Dr. Lingam Gopal (Vitreoretina), Dr. Muna Bhende (Vitreoretina), Ms. Sreedevi C G (Academics), Ms. Vijayalakshmi A (General Optometry), Ms. Mahalakshmi Saravanavelu (Operation Theatre), Ms. Revathi Selvam (Operation Theatre), Ms. Sasikala S (Operation Theatre), Ms. Uma Maheswari T J (Operation Theatre), Ms. Sharmila O V (Operation Theatre)
Additionally, 37 employees were honored for 25 years of service, 6 for 20 years, 17 for 15 years, and 14 for 10 years.
The Circle of Excellence Award was presented to the Patient Services Department, a recognition instituted by Ms. Sita Mittal, a SWAN volunteer.
A total of 62 employees received rank awards, and 14 children of Sankara Nethralaya employees were presented with merit awards, highlighting the institution’s commitment to nurturing talent both within and beyond the workplace.
The event was a celebration of the tireless efforts and dedication of the entire Sankara Nethralaya team, with Dr. Thiruppugazh’s presence and speech inspiring the attendees.
TSNA Celebrates 11th Graduation Ceremony
The Sankara Nethralaya Academy (TSNA) celebrated its 11th graduation ceremony, honoring the academic achievements of 59 graduates from the faculties of Optometry, Management Studies, and Medical Lab Technology for the year 2023-2024.
The ceremony took place at the Shri V. D. Swami Auditorium, located within the Sankara Nethralaya Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus in Chennai. The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Honorable Tmt. Justice V. Bhavani Subbaroyan, sitting Judge of the Madras High Court.
Also in attendance were Dr. T. S. Surendren, Chairman of the Medical Research Foundation, and Dr. Girish S. Rao, President & Executive Medical Director of the Medical Research Foundation, who congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and wished them success in their future endeavors.
Sankara Nethralaya Leads the Fight Against Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) at 6th Retina Summit 2024
The 6th Retina Summit 2024 and 8th iROP Annual Meeting took place from July 11 to 13, 2024, at the Shri V. D. Swami Auditorium, Sankara Nethralaya, Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus, Nungambakkam, Chennai. This event brought together over 250 delegates and featured presentations and panel discussions by 50 Indian and international experts focusing on the management of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).
Distinguished dignitaries such as Dr. E. Theranirajan, Dean MMC & RGGGH, Dr. Rema Chandramohan, Director ICH, Dr. Chandra Kumar, Project Director TNBCS, Dr. Mohan Rajan, Chairman Rajan Eye Hospital, Dr. Rajvardhan Azad, President i-ROP Society and APAO, Dr. Thangerani Raajaseharan, Director RIO-GOH, Dr. Pramod Bhende, Director of VR Services at Sankara Nethralaya, and Dr. Anand Vinekar, Hon Secretary of i-ROP Society, graced the summit with their presence.
ROP is a critical retinal disorder that can lead to blindness in infants, particularly those born prematurely with low birth weights. In India, with around 2 million low birth weight babies born annually, the risk of ROP is significant due to inadequate neonatal care, low awareness, and a lack of trained specialists.
Sankara Nethralaya’s Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Vitreoretinal Department annually hosts focused, theme-based meetings to advance ROP management and training. This year’s Retina Summit, in collaboration with the Indian ROP Society (iROP), emphasized the importance of early detection, uniform screening guidelines, treatment strategies, and specialist training to prevent ROP-related blindness.
The summit was preceded by two key events: an ROP training workshop for young ophthalmologists and an awareness program for medical and paramedical personnel involved in premature infant care, organized in collaboration with the Institute of Child Health, Egmore, Chennai. These initiatives aim to enhance the skills of healthcare professionals and raise awareness about the critical need for early intervention in ROP cases.
The inaugural ceremony of the event happened on July 12 followed by dinner at the Regency Ball Room, Hyatt Regency, Anna Salai, Tynampet.
ESO & TSNA Students Shine at 60th Indian Contact Lens Education Programme
Our Masters Optometry students from the Elite School of Optometry (ESO) and The Sankara Nethralaya Academy (TSNA) won a feat of awards at the “60th Indian Contact Lens Education Programme (ICLEP)” held at LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad on July 14th, 2024.
Ms. Janani B from ESO, SASTRA, emerged as the “WINNER” for her oral presentation titled “Cost and Benefits of Availing Specialty Contact Lenses from the Perspective of Patients.” Her research, supervised by Dr. Anuradha, Ms. Swetha, and Ms. S. Madhumathi, impressed the judges and highlighted the economic and therapeutic advantages of specialty contact lenses.
Ms. Archita Kakti from TSNA secured the “RUNNER UP” award for her insightful presentation on “Evaluation of Changes in Ocular Surface Parameters in Neophyte Soft Contact Lens Users.” Her study, under the guidance of Ms. S. Madhumathi and Mr. Ronit Dutta, shed light on the impact of contact lens use on ocular surface health in new users.
In addition to these top honors, four abstracts from our Masters students were selected for oral presentations at the conference, showcasing their innovative research and clinical findings:
Ms. Sindhu Vaishnavi from TSNA presented her work on “Quality of Life in Pediatric Patients Wearing Scleral Lenses,” supervised by Ms. S. Madhumathi, Ms. Akshaya Balakrishnan, and Ms. S. Karpagavalli. Her research focused on the positive impact of scleral lenses on the quality of life in young patients.
Mr. Priyom Parashar from TSNA shared a “Case Report on Managing Nystagmus: A Comprehensive Approach for Improved Outcomes,” guided by Mr. Praveen Kumar, Mr. Amit Bhowmick, Mr. Krishna Shah, and Ms. S. Madhumathi. His detailed case study provided valuable insights into managing nystagmus for better patient outcomes.
New Sky Lounge and Renovated Auditorium Inaugurated at Sankara Nethralaya
Sankara Nethralaya is delighted to announce the inauguration of the Sky Lounge, a new dining area, on July 9, 2024. The lounge is located on the 8th floor of the KNBIRVO Block at the Dr. S. S. Badrinath Campus. This modern dining space promises a refreshing experience for visitors, staff, and guests, offering stunning views and a serene atmosphere.
In conjunction with the Sky Lounge, the newly renovated Shri V. D. Swami Auditorium was also unveiled. This state-of-the-art facility now boasts cutting-edge features, enhancing its capability to host conferences, seminars, and events with improved audio-visual technology and comfort.
Expert-Led “Fracture Repair and Clinical Tips” Event Held at Sankara Nethralaya
On June 23, 2024, the Jayshree Venkatraman Auditorium at the Sri A Sivasailam Block, JKCN Complex, Sankara Nethralaya, hosted the “Fracture Repair and Clinical Tips Under Real Experts” event. The program, designed to share valuable insights and practical knowledge on fracture repair, attracted an impressive lineup of medical professionals and eager participants.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Md Shahid Alam, setting the stage for the day’s activities. The first session, chaired by Dr. Nirmala Subramanian, featured an expert panel including Dr. Md Shahid Alam, Dr. Marian Pauly, Dr. Ananthanarayan P, Dr. Yogeshwari, and Dr. Pratheeba Devi Nivean, with Dr. Vathsalya Vijay serving as the moderator. Following this session, Dr. Raghuraj Hegde, Dr. Veena Noronha, and Dr. Tarjani Dave delivered their insightful lectures.
The second session focused on case presentations related to orbital fractures. Chaired by Dr. Kirthi Koka, the session saw judges Dr. Bipasha Mukherjee, Dr. Roshmi Gupta, Dr. Priti Uday, and Dr. A Samarpuri evaluating the presentations, with Dr. Preeta Nair moderating. Esteemed speakers, including Dr. Nidhi Pandey, Dr. Tejaswi K, Dr. Mohan Gowda, Dr. Snigdha Mishra, Dr. Priyanka Saini, and Dr. Prerana Patil, covered various relevant topics.
In the third session, another series of case presentations were chaired by Dr. Suresh Bapu, with panelists Dr. Tarjani Dave, Dr. Senthinathan, Dr. Sumathi V, and Dr. D Ramesh. The session judges were Dr. Raghuraj Hegde, Dr. Sumathi V, Dr. Kavitha Kalaivani, Dr. Elavenil P, and Dr. Vishwaraj Ratha, moderated by Dr. Anju V Chandran. Subsequent speakers, including Dr. Amirtha Varshini VS, Dr. Mughdha Sardessai, Dr. Pragya Singh, Dr. Maalavika, Dr. Kavya Annamalai, Dr. Durga Priyadarshini, and Dr. Varsha Backiavathy, provided further insights, followed by a lecture from Dr. Elavenil Paneerselvam.
The fourth session featured video presentations chaired by Dr. Roshmi Gupta, with judges Dr. Md Shahid Alam, Dr. Tarjani, Dr. Elavenil P, and Dr. P Senthilnathan. Dr. Mrithika Sen moderated this engaging session, which included lectures by Dr. Senthilnathan, Dr. Priti Uday, Dr. Ruhi Jange, and Dr. Sharmika Patoria. A lecture by Dr. Ananthanarayanan P was followed by an interactive quiz on ocular trauma.
The day concluded with two hands-on workshops and a prize distribution ceremony recognizing the standout participants. This event, marked by the presence of distinguished experts and dynamic sessions, underscored Sankara Nethralaya’s commitment to advancing medical education and fostering expertise in fracture repair.
Sankara Nethralaya Honored with Sri Sant Hirdharam Sewa Award at Vision 2020 Conference
The 18th annual conference of Vision 2020, a significant event in the field of ophthalmology, was held from July 5 to 7, 2024, at Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana. The conference brought together leading experts and institutions dedicated to eradicating preventable blindness and enhancing eye care services globally.
During the event, the Sri Sant Hirdharam Sewa award was awarded to Sankara Nethralaya for our innovative eye care practices. Our Senior Consultant, Dr. R R Sudhir, received the award on behalf of Sankara Nethralaya.
Governor of Tamil Nadu Felicitates Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas on West Bengal State Foundation Day
On the occasion of West Bengal State Foundation Day, Governor of Tamil Nadu Thiru R. N. Ravi felicitated Dr. Jyotirmay Biswas, Director of Uveitis & Ocular Pathology Department, Sankara Nethralaya at Raj Bhavan. Dr. Biswas recited a poem by Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali and its English translation, adding a cultural touch to the celebration.