Congratulations to Dr. Ramya S

Dr. Ramya S, successfully defended her PhD Viva Voce on 12^th September 2024 and became the 12^th doctoral scholar from the renowned Elite School of Optometry (ESO). ESO in collaboration with the SASTRA Deemed University offers undergraduate, postgraduate and Doctoral studies in various specialties of optometry. Dr. Ramya is currently working with ESO, run by Sankara Nethralaya as a Senior Optometrist and Associate Professor.

Her thesis titled “Role of customized visual and multifactorial interventions in preventing falls among individuals with visual impairment in South India” was completed under the guidance of  Dr. Anuradha N, Principal, Elite School of Optometry. The project was funded by Judge Shri. P V Parameswara Iyer & Smt. Kamala Bai Endowment Award, Elite School of Optometry instituted by Dr. P. P. Santanam, the first Principal of Elite School of Optometry.

Her work was greatly appreciated by the external examiner Prof. B. R. Shamanna, Professor, School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad for conceptualization, logical sequence and extensive background work in falls and visual impairment. He also applauded her for answering specific research questions by identifying adults with falls and visual impairment, proposing “SMART” intervention strategy using qualitative approach and testing the same for a subset of subjects in real life situations using experimental design. She was also congratulated by faculties, optometrists and students who attended the viva voce examination.

Dr Arun Kumar, Medical Science Liaison, AbbVie, USA was the second reviewer who appreciated the sincere efforts of Dr. Ramya in converting this much needed intervention into a reality and testing for effectiveness.. He believed that this work would add value to the patients with vision impairment to function better in their lives.