Sankara Eye Foundation Launches Eye Care Innovation Lab

The innovation lab aims to address the critical gap in eye care accessibility across India, particularly in remote rural areas. 

Sankara Eye Foundation has inaugurated an innovation lab for eye care, supported by GD Naidu Charities, in Coimbatore. 

The innovation lab aims to address the critical gap in eye care accessibility across India, particularly in remote rural areas. The move aims to make significant advancements in eye care through R&D and training initiatives.

Sharing insights, Dr Jagadeesh Kumar Reddy, technical director of Sankara Eye Hospital, said, "The center will conduct clinical trials approved by CDSCO/DCGI for regulatory compliance, with a dedicated team of clinical research coordinators ensuring adherence to standards." 

Sankara’s Innovation Lab

The training programs will enhance practical skills for postgraduate trainees, fellows, and practicing Eye Surgeons through hands-on sessions, simulation exercises, and virtual reality modules.

The lab will also spearhead research in various critical areas, including developing new diagnostic tools, surgical instruments, intraocular devices, telemedicine solutions, spectacles, and assistive technologies. 

It will further integrate AI algorithms to enhance medical imaging analysis, improving the detection and classification of prevalent eye conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration. 

Dr Reddy emphasized, "AI will play a pivotal role in creating personalized treatment plans based on patient data and predictive analytics."

The lab is equipped with modern facilities, including simulation laboratories, surgical training suites, and a tele-ophthalmology training area. It aims to set global benchmarks in eye care practices. 

Additionally, the lab seeks to integrate global best practices into India's healthcare landscape by fostering collaborations with international institutions and industry leaders.

Other Developments in the Eye Care Sector

In recent developments across the sector, Bansal Eye Hospital in Ambala introduced the advanced SILK (Smooth Incisions Lenticule Keratomileusis) laser vision correction technology. The technology aims to enhance treatment options for myopia and astigmatism, utilizing the Johnson & Johnson ELITA laser system.

Meanwhile, Ahmedabad-based healthtech startup C3 MedTech secured funding from Industrial Metal Powders to develop new telemedicine and AI-enabled eye screening devices. 

The startup focuses on reducing avoidable blindness in India through affordable and portable ophthalmic screening equipment. The devices promise quick eye check-ups and real-time detection of eye diseases, integrating telemedicine and AI for immediate and accurate diagnoses.