eyelights The Temple of the eye begins a new chapter in 'Maanava Seva' in a sacred temple town

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1 Number : 76 Awards & Recognitions 2 72nd Independence day celebrations at Nethralaya NABL Accreditation NABH Accreditation for Sankara Nethralaya Main November Students from the ESO rise magnificently 6 17th Dr E.Vaithilingam Memorial Scientific Session 7 The Temple of the eye begins a new chapter in 'Maanava Seva' in a sacred temple town Jubilant members of the Sankara Nethralaya family at the 40th anniversary function of the institution

2 November 2018 Recognitions & Awards Four decades of tender ophthalmic care to the nation s future citizens wins its due recognition! World s leading service organization crowns Sankara Nethralaya doctor with its most prestigious award! Dr Sheila John, HOD departments of Teleophthalmology, Multi-Media and elearning was honoured with a 'Lifetime achievement award' by Lions Clubs International. Rare insights on preventive eye care modalities for children wins high honours for long time crusader against childhood blindness! Anuradha N, Lecturer ESO and coordinator school children eye screening was awarded a Doctorate by the SASTRA University, for her insightful study titled 'Effectiveness of innovative approach in improving spectacle wear and referral compliance in school students vision screening in Chennai-A mixed methods study'. A moment of crowning glory and global challenges for Sankara Nethralaya s head of contact lens department Head of Paediatric Ophthalmology department and Vice president SN, Dr TS.Surendran was honoured with a 'Lifetime Achievement award' for his long and impeccable service to paediatric ophthalmology by the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association. Key recommendations on Class Room Illumination by SN's senior research optometrist adopted as guideline by government body C r i t i c a l recommendati o n s o n illumination levels and s e a t i n g modalities in typical Indian classrooms, made after long years of research by Ms Kalpa Negiloni, Senior Research Optometrist and Lecturer at the ESO, were adopted as a guideline for the same by the Directorate of School Education, Tamil Nadu and the same was shared with heads of all government schools in the State through a circular, by the governing body. 4 2 Dr Rajeswari Mahadevan, HOD Contact lens dept SN and lecturer, ESO was elected to the Executive Board of the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE)as 'Regional President-Asia-Pacific region'. Critical findings on primitive tribal community win high honour for Sankara Nethralaya s Social Worker Shri G.Venkatesan serving as a 'Social Worker' in the Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology was awarded a Doctorate by the University of Madras for his research findings titled 'Maternal and child health among Kurumbas of Nilgris district of Tamil Nadu: A sociological study'. An eye care institution preferred by the world is acknowledged for its universal appeal across boundaries and service Sankara Nethralaya was adjudged as the 'Best Medical Tourism Hospital' in the Tamil Nadu Tourism Awards The award was presented by Singing legend Srimathi P.Susheela and received on behalf of the institution by Srimathi Nirmala Kurien,GM-HRD. Nation s premier newspaper confers high honours on Sankara Nethralaya and its founder The Hindu Group Publishing Pvt Ltd honoured Sankara Nethralaya and its founder Dr SS.Badrinath with the 'Doyens' award for their service to society. Head of Sankara Nethralaya s Uvea department occupies centre stage and emerges with flying colours in prestigious topical meet Veteran Uvea Consultant and Director - Uvea Department at SN Dr Jyotirmay Biswas was selected to play the role of Chief Instructor for the session Uveitis-Search for the cause and honoured as International Ophthalmic heroes of India at the 71st All India ophthalmology meet. SN's senior consultant honoured for exemplary community service Dr Veena Bhaskaran, Senior Consultant at the JCOC, SN's community care wing was honoured with the 'Mayan Award,' by Vista India, for her excellent patient care, service and enabling the onward march of humanity. The award was presented at a glittering ceremony held at Hotel Intercontinental, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia by Shri Dato SK. Devamony, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's office.

3 November 2018 The Temple of the eye begins a new chapter in 'Maanava Seva' in a sacred temple town A close look at the inception, growth and 4 decades of service by Sankara Nethralaya would make it apparent that if something has been the consistent moving force for all the above, next only to the blessings of the Kanchi Acharyas, it is the boundless love to mankind, a strong sense of service, a no strings attached generosity and utmost faith in the institution exhibited by its donors and well wishers. It was a beautiful demonstration of this faith that was being showcased on the 20th of September 2018 in the small town of Chetpet in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, as the curtains went up on 'Suraj Sankara Nethralaya' yet another step in Sankara Nethralaya's battle against blindness in a semi urban area. The day's proceedings got off with a warm welcome note and expression of thanks to Shri Surajmal Jain chief donor of the facility, Shri KS. Kandaswamy, District Collector and Chief Guest and Rajayogini B.K Uma of the Brahma Kumari movement the guest of honour by Dr. S. S. Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus, SN. He urged the gathering to make the best use of the facility coming up in their locality and fulfil the dream of the generous donor who had envisaged such a service for them. Eminent philanthropist and educationist Shri Surajmal Jain whose contribution of the premises for the institution was instrumental in its formation observed that if DrSS.Badrinath had any commercial motives there would be no Sankara Nethralaya today and his consent to start a unit in Tiruvannamalai came as a boon to the people of all the 6 taluks of the district. Guest of honour Rajayogini B.K. Uma hailed the unit as a contribution of two great Mahans, Shri Surajmal Jain and Dr SS.Badrinath, she persuaded every individual in the gathering to stop thinking for a minute on how to take or receive and concentrate on how to give back, which would be for the spiritual and material well being of the world. The public spirited collector of the district Shri K.S. Kandaswamy presiding as the Chief Guest declared that it was the blessings of his birth that he was sharing the dais with a legend like Dr SS.Badrinath, he thanked Shri Surajmal Jain and Sankara Nethralaya for starting an advanced eye care unit that would serve the paying and non paying patients in his district. The collector joined Rajayogini B.K. Uma in making a passionate plea to set aside something from one's income to the society, adding that philanthropy was not an exclusive prerogative of the wealthy and everyone should exhibit kindness and giving within their capacity. Dr Girish Rao, Medical Director hailed the infrastructure of the new unit as being on par with the main hospital, he had a high word of praise for Shri Surajmal Jain and his family for their persistence and steadfastness which helped in overcoming several legal and procedural hurdles and made the centre a reality. The crowning glory of the day was the message and blessing by HH Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal, the Pontiff of the Kanchi Mutt made through a virtual appearance. The Seer explained that it is only by constant pursuit of how, where and when we can be of help and service to fellow human beings that we can fulfil the purpose of our avatar as human beings. He expressed his joy at the opening of a Sankara Nethalaya unit at Tiruvannamalai and blessed the unit for its success and to serve a large number of patients from the region and the noble couple who had contributed to its creation. The queen of expressions captures a 40 year saga of touching and transforming lives, with great intensity The 40th anniversary celebration of Sankara Nethralaya began with a soulful invocation to Lord Ganesha by Srimathi Gomathisri. Dr Girish Shiva Rao, Medical Director, Sankara Nethralaya began his talk on a note of caution that the institution take the right steps to stay relevant in today s changing world, as it was when it was started 4 decades back. Srimathi Akila Ganesan- Director, Administration gave a most poignant account of the four glorious decades of Sankara Nethralaya. His Holiness Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal the Pontiff of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam hailed the institution as a very special entity which was blessed by both the Periyavas, the Seer lauded Dr SS.Badrinath s work as a Himalayan Service. Delivering the most awaited chief guest s address on the topic My reminiscences of Sankara Nethralaya legendary Danseuse and cultural icon, Barata Jyoti Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam hailed Dr SS.Badrinath as a Kaliyuga Danavantri whose life can be best described as Karana Janma or a Life full of purpose she lauded the institution as a place where values percolate from the top to every level of the hierarchy and described the event as a celebration of the 40th year of service by the Sankara Nethralaya team from Dr SS.Badrinath to the sentry/car park attendant. The long time friend and well wisher of the institution recapped the golden chapter in Sankara Nethralaya s history when its founder was blessed with the opportunity to treat the Living God HH Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal, her most memorable performance for the institution for which she had chosen songs with the eye as the central theme with great support from the legendary Dr.Balamurali Krishna. Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam eulogized Sankara Nethralaya as another root of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, a Hindu institution which served with the true spirit of service without any expectations and concluded her oration with the observation that the institution was blessed with angelic doctors and enjoyed phenomenal worldwide repute and her wishes for its Ruby Jubilee. 2

4 A high power knowledge dissemination exercise throws light on a least studied/understood ophthalmic challenge! The 12th of July 2018 marked an important day for an institution passionately committed to knowledge dissemination and alleviation of pain and suffering through the same, as the institution s ophthalmic specialty departments namely The Department of Orbit, Oculoplasty, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Services & Shri Bhagwan Mahavir Department of Vitreo Retinal Services came together to organize the Ocular Trauma Con a, high power, international four day conference on Ocular Trauma jointly with three major ophthalmic bodies namely the Ocular Society of India, Asia Pacific Ophthalmic Trauma Society and European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO), the event also doubled as Sankara Nethralaya s Retina Summit The international meet to discuss pain and suffering witnessed talks by more than 150 speakers from across specialties, they shared the latest treatment modalities, techniques and advances in handling ocular trauma and their critical real time experiences, which came as a source of great learning. Speakers strongly emphasised on a multi-disciplinary approach to treating ocular trauma, involving every sub-specialty of ophthalmology into it, creating awareness among the public and the need for government policy/legislation among policy makers, having an exclusive trauma care unit in every ophthalmic centre, creating a Fellowship and certification course in trauma care, grooming young ophthalmologists in the field of trauma care, creation of evidence based medicine, tested and proven guidelines, the need to make quick decisions when a patient is brought with a serious traumatic condition etc. The event witnessed the induction of Dr SS.Badrinath, Chairman Emeritus and Founder Sankara Nethralaya and a leading light and doyen of ophthalmology, referred to as Father of Vitroretina in India and Dr S.Natarajan, Founder and CEO of Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital into the Retina Hall of Fame. An ascetic from the Ramakrishna order inspires and educates members of SN on the Nation's 72nd Independence Day Celebrations The Sankara Nethralaya family celebrated the nation s 72nd Independence Day with great patriotic fervour, the presence of Swamy Vimurthananda, an eminent spiritualist and speaker from the Ramakrishna Order as the chief guest added to the nationalistic spirit of the day. The Swamiji compared Sankara Nethralaya to a large tree with strong roots, in terms of its ethics, tradition, service and quality, well embedded into the nation s psyche which made it a strong tree that will not fall easily. Underlining Swamy Vivekananda s lines for renunciation from worldly pleasures and exhorting every citizen to be a giver and a contributor, he observed that he saw Sankara Nethralaya as a Celebration of Sacrifice with the spirit of service exhibited by everyone from the senior most doctor to the sweeper who kept the place clean. Complimenting the institution on its consistent overall growth he highlighted the Master s emphatic call to realize one s spiritual strength as the only way to realizing one s goals and reaching greater heights in worldly and spiritual growth. The erudite scholar and orator concluded his absorbing and educative talk with a fervent appeal to the Government of India to honour Dr SS.Badrinath with the nation s highest civilian award the Bharat Ratna in recognition of the selfless service that he and his institution have rendered to society. 3

5 Sankara Nethralaya's quest to find solutions to ocular surface disorders reaches far beyond the surface The Ocular Surface and Keratoprosthesis Conference (OSKON-2018) the international conference to debate and discuss the challenges faced by the Ocular Surface and Keratoprosthesis was conducted from the 27th to 29th of July 2018 as a high power conference attended by national and international experts on the field from all over the world. The meet went into the depth of the ocular surface, unraveling new facts, questioning old theories, throwing light on new technology, sharing new approaches and real time experiences through case studies. The meet was held as a Thanksgiving and Honour to the Gurus in keeping with the institution s avowed Guru-Sishya Parampara, to Professor Giancarlo Falcinelli whose revolutionary process Modified osteo-odonto Keratoprosthesis (MOOKP) brought new hope to those suffering with extreme ocular surface issues and Dr G. Sitalakshmi who steered the concept in India. Dr Prema Padmanabhan, the veteran cornea specialist from Sankara Nethralaya observed that the conference was something beyond an academic event confined to acquisition and dissemination of knowledge, she highlighted that it was a collective assertion of the moral responsibility of the cornea fraternity against ocular surface disorders, especially those caused by human misconduct and folly, a multi layered approach to a multilayered challenge. Dr Geetha Krishnan Iyer Senior Consultant and Organizing Secretary, OSKON 2018, described ocular surface disorders, especially the ones caused by external factors like accident, careless handling of hazardous substances and planned assaults which disfigured the victim s appearance as a physical, psychological, social and economic problem impacting the career and marital prospects of the victim. The OSKON-2018 succeeded in sensitizing the ruling dispensation, seeking political will and legislation to give teeth to the resolutions passed at the conference. A grateful institution rejoices in playing host to the launching of the biography of a great friend and supporter The 20th of July 2018 marked a very special and emotional day for Sankara Nethralaya as it was hosting the launch of the biography of a man who was one of its greatest well wishers, supporters and champions of its cause. The VD Swami auditorium at the Sankara Nethralaya main campus where the launch of the book aptly titled Nani Palkhivala God s gift to India by Shri Dharmendra Bhandari was happening, presented a picture of an intimate audience, to quote the words of Chief Guest Shri Gopal Krishna Gandhi who was releasing the book. The book launch marked an intellectually invigorating evening with highly captivating recollections of the genius, his values, his intellect, sense of justice and fair play, charity, humour and humility. Guest of Honour Justice Prabha Sridevan observed with vehemence that if Nani Palkhivala was alive today he would have taught people the true meaning of freedom, emphasised the need for judicial recusal to judges, raised the prestige of the judiciary and demystified GST and demonetisation. Chief Guest Shri Gopalkrishna Gandhi observed that the recent judgements by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul of the Madras High court on the case pertaining to right to privacy and the Supreme court s pronouncement on the right of the elected government vis-a-vis the Lt Governor were indeed great verdicts which would have rejoiced Nani Palkhivala, if he was alive today. 5

6 November 2018 Sankara Nethralaya s Contact Lens department conducts a niche workshop extending beyond the realm of conventional contact lens While awareness on contact lens has improved with constant counselling, education and increasing usage, Scleral Contact Lens are still relatively unknown, not only among end users but contact lens practitioners. Scleral contact lenses are filled with liquid saline and hence are very effective in restoring vision, reducing ocular surface reaction and enhancing user comfort. There is a need for special training to fit these lenses as it is quite different from fitting normal contact lenses. While many ophthalmic manufacturers have started producing scleral contact lenses the number of contact lens practitioners with expertise on fitting the same is not sufficient to meet the demand. The contact lens department at Sankara Nethralaya like many other departments in the institution has the pride of being a pioneer and trail blazer in its field, the department credited with creating a high degree of awareness on Contact Lens usage and best practices conducted a workshop titled Getting ready with sclerals - A customized training on scleral contact lens fitting, on the 16th and 17th of February 2018, to impart knowledge and hands on training and trouble shooting. Students from the ESO rise magnificently to a knowledge exposition challenge of global proportions! The National round of the Cooper Vision Force presentation was held on 2nd of March, 2018 at the Orchid Hotel in Mumbai. A team of 5 members namely, Akshara, P Gaurav, Pooja Nandagopal, Vivek Suganthan R and Jude R Menezes represented the Elite School of Optometry at this prestigious, first of its kind national contest. The team was accompanied by its mentor and guide, Dr Rajeshwari M The contact Lens stalwart and faculty from ESO. Jude presented a review on the Success of the soft contact lens market: How new techniques, Tests and Instruments can help? which made him the country winner and won him a ticket to Budapest, Hungary to compete for the title European FORCE winner at the International Cooper vision Future Ocular Research Creativity Event(FORCE). All in all, right from the very start, the trip proved to be a memorable experience for the students and provided them with a rare exposure to presentation at a professional level, boosting their self-confidence and enhancing their exposure to the soft contact lens industry. Report on VIBS Hands-on Summer Training programme (14th May 1st June 2018) AHands-on-summer training programme was conducted under Vidyasagar Institute of Bio-Medical Science (VIBS) a Unit of Medical Research Foundation, with an objective of imparting real time knowledge and experience in Basic medical sciences including application of advanced techniques in the field of Medical Biochemistry,Microbiology and Human genetics. A total of 17 candidates underwent hands on training programme in advanced techniques in the 3 departments of Basic Medical Sciences (7 candidates in R.S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 4 in SN ONGC Genetics & Molecular Biology and 6 in L & T Microbiology Research Centre). Chairman Emeritus Dr.S.S.Badrinath along with the respective faculty from each participating department distributed the certificates to all the participants. 6

7 SN employee's biography gives interesting glimpses into the life of a great patriot and freedom fighter A well researched and highly absorbing biography on the life and times of Nethaji Subhash Chandra Bose, bringing to light many less known facts about the fiery patriot and freedom fighter, by Shri A. Selvamani, serving in the Internal Services Department, was released by eminent contemporary historian and film maker Shri S.Krishnaswamy at the 40th year Foundation Day celebrations of Sankara Nethralaya. Talk by globally acclaimed expert in binocular vision and perception enthrals audience at ESO's annual meet The 17th Dr E.Vaithilingam Memorial Scientific Session, the annual 'Vision Science and Optometry conference' was conducted by Elite School of Optometry (ESO) on the 24th and 25th of February at Sankara Nethralaya. The high power topical meet received overwhelming response from both students and practitioners of optometry, with 20 ophthalmic hospitals and 631 eye care practitioners from all over the country participating enthusiastically. The keynote address being delivered by Dr Mitchell Scheiman, Dean, Research & Director of Graduate studies at Salus University, Pennsylvania, a world renowned optometric educator, vision therapist and expert in binocular vision made the high power topical meet assume great significance. The workshop imparted clinical pearls on binocular vision testing and diagnosis and included rigorous, hands on training of clinical procedures in the specialty jointly by the eminent Chief Guest and Dr Jamel Rizwana Husaindeen, Lecturer, ESO and HOD, Binocular Vision. A very special facility for a very special group is inaugurated by a very special person! The 1st of August 2018 marked yet another critical step towards better ophthalmic diagnosis and treatment of children for an institution which could be credited with starting an exclusive paediatric ophthalmology unit and extending specialized diagnosis and treatment to this delicate segment. The day marked the inaugural of the Special Children Clinic a special facility with suitable infrastructure and processes within the department to effectively examine a large sub-group of patients effected by various mental and physical disabilities, children who cannot express themselves the way normal kids do and hence cannot be subjected to regular paediatric ophthalmic examination that work for normal children, children who need special attention and functional assessment.the Special Children Clinic being opened had been a long time dream of the institution and having the facility inaugurated by Professor Peter Allen, a globally acclaimed expert in visual functioning of special groups made it a case of right man in the right place opening the right facility to quote the words of Dr. Jameel Rizwana Husiandeen, HOD - Binocular vision/ Vision therapy clinic, Sankara Nethralaya, a key architect of the facility. The chief guest s oration on the topic Management of Visual issues in Dyslexia & Sports Vision proved to be a cascade of facts by the unrivalled expert in the field. Dr Allen explained the difficulties faced by Special Children in reading, writing and spelling, he spoke in length on conditions like dyslexia which is neurological in origin, phonological issues that make recognizing letters difficult. 7

8 Please Please mailmail youryour feedback feedback to at November June Join our Mission for Vision Reach us at Sankara Nethralaya - Main Campus Old No.18, New No.41, College Road, Chennai Ph: , Jagadguru Kanchi Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi Nethra Nilayam 21, Pycrofts Garden Road, Chennai Ph: , Elite School of Optometry & C.U. Shah Sankara Nethralaya Dr. V. G. Appukutty Campus,No.8, GST Road, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai Ph: (ESO) / , Navasuja Sankara Nethralaya No.73, VenkataKrishna Iyer Road, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai Ph: , One time on a designated date Single Cataract Surgery Single Major Surgery such as Retina, Glaucoma Rs. 5,000 Rs. 17, Single day free service Approximately 40 Surgeries per day Smt. T.K. Lakshmi Ammal and Smt. T.K. Alamelu Ammal Sankara Nethralaya No. 39,1st Main Road, East Shenoy Nagar, Chennai Ph: Rs.2,00, Year after year on a designated date for 12 years Single Free Cataract Surgery Single major Surgery (Retina, Glaucoma) Jaslok Community Ophthalmic Centre 38/159 Sri Rama Building, Greams Road, Chennai Ph: / Rs.40,000 Rs.1,50, Tele-ophthalmology Sponsoring the Tele-ophthalmology camp for one day Aditya Birla Sankara Nethralaya, Kolkata No.147, Barakhola, Mukundapur, E M Bypass, (Near Santhoshpur) Ph: , , Rs.20, Corpus Fund Kamalnayan Bajaj Sankara Nethralaya Premises No , Plot No:DJ 16 Action Area -ID, New Town, Kolkata Ph: snrajarhat@snmail.org For Community outreach program 6. Naming a room 7. Any other purpose Sankara Nethralaya RSM Square 10, Raja Subodh Mallik Square, Kolkata Ph: / 97/98 Any amount Rs 10,00,000 Any amount Donations are exempt under Section 80G Sri City Sankara Nethralaya 305, North, 2nd Street, Sector 3, Sri City, Vardhiapalem Mandal Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh Ph: For more details, contact Mr. S Alagiri, Deputy General Manager, Resource Mobilization Sri Srinivasa Sankara Nethralaya (Tirupathi) TTD Central Hospital, K.T.Road (Near TTD Administration Bldg.) Tirupathi Ph : Suraj Sankara Nethralaya TNo. 34, Dharmaraja Koil Street, Chetpet Post & Taluk, Tiruvannamalai Dt, Pincode , Tamil Nadu, India. Ph : Please mail your feedback to us at balas@snmail.org Sankara Nethralaya donation@snmail.org Ph: , (extn ) Websites : Sankara Nethralaya seeks your support for its most ambitious cost free eye care initiative since inception! We take pleasure in sharing that SN has embarked on its most ambitious cost free eye care initiative with the construction of a 46,274 sq ft exclusive community hospital. The facility is coming up at St.Thomas Mount, right at the entrance to Chennai on the highway leading to the city. It is a massive project involving a huge financial outlay and when functional it will dispense world class eye care totally cost free and revive the lost vision of a large number of poor patients from all over the country. Your donations small or big will go a long way in completing this most noble and compassionate initiative. Sankara Nethralaya wishes you a bright and joyous New Year! Design by A.L.Senthil Kumar Insight- A passion for compassion Read a great book, fulfill a greater cause! We seek your kind patronage for 'Insight' the poignant narration of Sankara Nethralaya's growth to a world class humanitarian eye care institution and success of a social enterprise by noted biographers Shri. George Skarias, Shri. VV.Ranganathan and Ms Meera Prasad, with interesting inputs from eminent personalities. 'Insight' is a most enjoyable and informative book and a wonderful gifting option for all age groups and occasions. Entire sales proceeds go towards providing cost free eye care to the poor and needy. Please pick your copy of this great literary work of compassion at the SN main centre, Higginbotham's and Rasi Silk emporiums at Anna Nagar, Mylapore and Nanganallur. Printed at Gnanodaya Press, Chennai.