‘National Eye Donation Fortnight’ observed at AMU

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

The Institute of Ophthalmology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been organising a series of activities to raise awareness about eye donation and acquaint students with the latest advances in ophthalmology as part of the Country-wide, ‘National Eye Donation Fortnight’.

In one such event, resource persons delivered lectures, held interactive sessions and provided the postgraduate students with hands-on-training in a comprehensive ‘Phacoshala, Theory and Wet Lab, Postgraduate Resident Training Programme’ at the Institute of Ophthalmology. The workshop to up-skill students in the Phacoemulsification procedure was held in collaboration with Johnson and Johnson Vision Limited.     

Welcoming the experts, Prof Yogesh Gupta (Director, Institute of Ophthalmology) pointed out that the standard of care for treating cataracts is Phacoemulsification (Phaco) surgery, yet not every patient has equitable access to this treatment technique and this is often due to a lack of training standards at many health centres, which results in varying surgical competencies or lack of high-quality outcomes-based programs focused on surgical skills and support.

“But at JNMC, students and faculty members are regularly updated with latest advances in treatment of cataracts and these workshops help us to further raise the bar of excellence in health care at the Institute of Ophthalmology”, said Prof Yogesh.

He also pressed for the need for ‘Wet Lab’ training on animal and model eyes before training on human eyes.  

“Programmes like these help surgeons adopt the latest techniques and technologies for advanced cataract procedures and strengthen the capabilities of the ophthalmic surgical teams”, emphasised Prof Adeeb Alam Khan.

Prof Adeeb was attending the programme with Dr Abdul Waris, Dr S Wajahat Rizvi, Dr Shazia Arrin, Dr Saqib and Dr Atika J Siddiqui.  

Experts from Johnson and Johnson Vision Limited gave useful presentations on the dynamics of Phacoemulsification machines.

Dr Ziya Siddiqui conducted the programme and extended the vote of thanks.

The workshop also featured a theory presentation session along with the hands-on Phacoemulsification training on model eyes.

Meanwhile, a poster-making competition to spread awareness on eye donation is also scheduled at the Institute of Ophthalmology to mark the National Eye Donation Fortnight’ on September 3.  

“Participants are encouraged to create posters for public awareness in the contest scheduled from 1 pm to 3 pm on September 3. The winners will be felicitated in the concluding ceremony”, said Prof Yogesh Gupta.

Dr Ziya Siddiqui (Programme Organiser) informed the programme is aimed at motivating people to take a pledge to donate eyes.  

Messages of eye donation are being displayed at prominent places,” said Dr M Saquib (Programme Co-Organiser).