AIOS–Armed Forces Ophthalmology
Why in News?
Inaugurated on May 9, 2026, by Raksha Rajya Mantri (Minister of State for Defence) Shri Sanjay Seth in New Delhi, the event highlights India’s push for global leadership in ophthalmic care and military healthcare innovation.
Key Point
- Organisers: The conference is jointly organised by the Department of Ophthalmology, Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, and the All-India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS).
Focus Areas
- Combat Eye Trauma: Management of vision injuries sustained in the field.
- AI in Diagnostics: Use of artificial intelligence for retinal imaging and eye disease detection.
- Cutting-edge Research: Latest developments in corneal sciences and robotic ophthalmic surgery.
- Civil-Military Synergy: Promoting cooperation between military and civilian specialists to enhance national eye care standards.
Major Highlights
- Advanced Centre: Recognition of the recently inaugurated Advanced Centre of Ophthalmic and Visual Sciences at Army Hospital (R&R) as a world-class facility.
- Outreach Impact: The Minister highlighted that the Armed Forces conducted advanced surgical eye camps in eight remote border areas over the last 16 months, restoring vision for thousands.
- Global Participation: Nearly 200 renowned national specialists and international experts—including Prof. Harminder Singh Dua (discoverer of "Dua’s Layer") and Dr. Colin Siang Hui Tan—attended to share expertise.
- Strategic Importance: The presence of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and all three Service Chiefs (Army, Navy, and Air Force) underscores the high priority given to visual health for operational readiness.
- Recognition: Military doctors like Col Vijay Sharma and Col Vikas Ambiya were recently recognised at the broader AIOS Annual Conference for their award-winning research papers.
Download Pdf
