AIIMS Jammu Hosts Diabetic Retinopathy Skill Transfer Workshop for Comprehensive Ophthalmologists

Jammu: 10-06- 2024, All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu organized a one-day workshop aimed at the transfer of skills in the management of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) to comprehensive ophthalmologists. The disease is one of the common entities causing severe vision loss, worldwide and is affecting a large population in our country, also. “Diabetic Retinopathy Skill Transfer Workshop” was organised under the aegis of the Vitreo-Retinal Society of India (VRSI). This prestigious workshop, the first of its kind hosted at Jammu, brought together eminent ophthalmic surgeons from across the Jammu province. The event was held at the Convention Center, AIIMS, Vijaypur, Jammu, on June 09, 2024.

The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Jammu. In his welcome address, Prof. (Dr) Shakti Kumar Gupta emphasised about the expertise and skills required for the early diagnosis and management of patients with DR. Prof (Dr) Shakti Gupta also highlighted that AIIMS Jammu is committed to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and inclusivity in Ophthalmology. The delegates were also addressed by Prof (Dr) Meeta Gupta, Dean Academics, AIIMS Jammu, and Lt. Col Prabhat Sharma, Deputy Director, AIIMS Jammu. An introductory address was made by Dr. Nitin Kumar, organizing secretary for the workshop.

The resource faculty for the workshop were Dr. Manisha Agarwal from Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi, and Dr Padmaja K Rani from LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. The Department of Ophthalmology at AIIMS Jammu welcomed all delegates, speakers, and participants with a goal aiming at academic excellence, learning, and professional growth among young ophthalmic surgeons through knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation in Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). The program was meticulously curated to address critical topics relevant to the management of Diabetic Retinopathy. Comprehensive sessions included pathophysiology and classification of DR, clinical examination techniques to identify signs of diabetic retinopathy, understanding the technique and interpretation of various imaging modalities for DR, learning the medical management strategies for diabetic retinopathy and diagnosing masquerades of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema.

Expert-led sessions provided evidence-based guidelines and best practices for managing DR, including investigations in DR, Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy management guidelines, lasers, intravitreal injections, and surgeries, complemented by case examples and exploring the co-management of cataract and diabetic retinopathy in patients.

The prominent group of expert faculties included Prof Ashok Sharma, HOD Ophthalmology, GMC Jammu; Prof Renu Hashia Dhar, HOD Ophthalmology at ASCOMS Jammu; and Prof Sanjay Kai, from the Department of Ophthalmology, GMC Jammu. In a First, expert endocrinologists, Dr. Kushdev Jarial (AIIMS Jammu) and Dr. Atul Sharma (GMC Jammu) delivered talks in a special session highlighting the importance of systemic management of patients with DR. The organising team at AIIMS Jammu included Dr Bhavani Raina, organising chairman, while members included Dr Nitin Kumar, Dr Nazia Anjum, Dr Ridham Nanda and Dr Asma Jabeen.

The sessions equipped attendees with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality care to their patients. Participants were also engaged in a highly informative hands-on training session focused on intravitreal injections using a model eye. This practical exercise aimed to enhance the skills and confidence of attendees in administering these critical injections, which are essential for treating various retinal conditions. The session offered an invaluable opportunity for medical professionals to practice and refine their techniques in a controlled and educational setting, ensuring improved patient outcomes and safety.

The workshop also facilitated networking opportunities, enabling participants to interact with faculty members and mentors, further enriching the learning experience. The meeting ended with an address by Dr Bhavani Raina, who thanked all the participants and faculty for attending the workshop.