The prevalence of diabetes is on a rapid rise especially in low- and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and many other conditions. A multifaceted approach which includes awareness creation, adherence to treatment, and lifestyle modifications are crucial to controlling diabetes. Since eye is one of the main organs affected by uncontrolled diabetes, Aravind Eye Hospitals observed World Diabetes Day with a wide variety of programmes.

Retinopathy of prematurity (RoP) is a potentially blinding disease caused by the abnormal development of retinal blood vessels in premature babies. Blindness due to RoP can be avoided if the baby undergoes an eye check preferably within a month of birth and necessary treatment is taken if found to have the disease. Aravind centres have been actively involved in creating awareness and providing treatment for RoP. RoP awareness day was observed recently with many awareness creation campaigns and RoP screening programmes.

News about these and many more feature in this issue.

Mumbai, November 11-13

Dr. Maneksha V, Chief – Department of Orbit and Oculoplasty, Aravind Eye Hospital,Tirunelveli

Best Free Paper Award
    – Lacrimal sac rhinosporidiosis: Clinical profile and a method of preoperative diagnosis

Dr. Viji Rangarajan, Chief, Department of Orbit and Oculoplasty, Aravind – Coimbatore

Best Video Award
– A bridge too far: A simple technique for management of extensive congenital upper eyelid colobomas

November 14

Aravind centres observed World Diabetes Day with a host of programmes to sensitize public on the importance of controlling diabetes and regular eye examination to prevent blindness due to diabetic retinopathy. Programmes included exclusive diabetic retinopathy screening camps, awareness rallies, seminars, talks, exhibitions, literary and drawing competitions in schools.

November 17

Aravind Eye Hospitals, Madurai and Coimbatore observed Retinopathy of Prematurity (RoP) Day. Awareness exhibitions were arranged in the premises of the hospitals. Badges with a message on RoP were worn by the staff. RoP specialists gave talks on the condition and the importance of early eye screening in premature children. Medical Consultants of Aravind-Madurai, Dr. Renu P. Rajan and Dr. Karthikeyan organised an awareness CME at Sivagangai Government Hospital on November 19 in which post-graduate doctors and residents took part. Aravind-Coimbatore arranged a similar CME for paediatricians and neonatal nurses on November 19 to increase awareness of the disease.

About 90 participants actively took part in the CME. Dr. Parag Shah; Dr. Abhishek and Dr. Prema handled the sessions. Four paediatricians and three staff of neonatal units from various hospitals also delivered talks. Purple ribbons, chocolates, balloons and brochures were distributed for kids who attended the outpatient department. Awareness posters and videos were displayed in the patient waiting areas of the hospital.

Aravind – Tirupati, November 4

Aravind-Tirupati celebrated freshers’ day to welcome the first year trainee AOP. The new trainees staged various cultural performances which were well-received by the audience.

Aurolab participated in the following conferences and promoted Aurovue VIVID, Aurovue EV Toric IOL, and HummingBird^Lite

– Ophthacon 2022, Amritsar , October 28 – 30
– Annual Conference of Oculoplastic Association of India, Mumbai, November 11-13
– Ophthalmological Society of Assam Conference, Guwahati, November 12-13
– Annual Conference of Glaucoma Society of India, New Delhi, November 18- 20

London, UK, November 2

Dr. Usha Kim
      – An extraordinary story of service, community and innovation

Aravind – Coimbatore, October 8

Dr. Parag K Shah
     – RoP in India