New Delhi, The Dr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences at AIIMS, Delhi, on Monday launched a customised retina training programme aimed at strengthening clinical capabilities in retinal care and addressing the shortage of trained professionals in the field.
The Modulated Retina Training Program was launched at the National Retina Skill Development Centre, a first-of-its-kind facility, which will provide ophthalmologists with structured, hands-on training in the diagnosis and management of retinal diseases, the hospital said in a statement.
Developed in partnership with the Roche India Healthcare Institute (RIHI), the initiative brings together the clinical and academic expertise of AIIMS with RIHI’s focus on health-system strengthening to create a platform for training, research and innovation in retinal diseases.
The centre plans to train more than 100 ophthalmologists, particularly those from public health systems, over the next three years, the statement said.
At the core of the programme is the Retina Skill Lab CORE (Comprehensive Retinal Education), equipped with high-resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT) machines, fundus cameras and specialised microscopes for practical training.
The training programme has been structured into eight modules covering skills required for early detection, diagnosis and management of retinal diseases.
“The need for strengthening retinal care capabilities is underscored by gaps in the availability of specialised expertise, ” said Dr Radhika Tandon, Chief of RP Centre, AIIMS, Delhi.
Strengthening retinal care requires building clinical skills and practical capabilities alongside medical expertise. It requires skilled professionals who can identify disease early, diagnose accurately and deliver appropriate care, she said.
The Modulated Retina Training Program at the National Retina Skill Development Lab, RP Centre, AIIMS will provide ophthalmologists with access to structured, hands-on training and advanced infrastructure, helping strengthen the availability of trained human resources to ensure quality and consistency of retinal care across the country.
“Our vision is to expand the skilled pool beyond specialist centres and equip general ophthalmologists, particularly within the public health system, with practical capabilities to identify, diagnose and manage retinal diseases,” Tandon said.
“This will help strengthen our health system at the grassroots and contribute to reducing preventable vision loss. Retinal disorders are among the leading causes of irreversible vision loss in India,” she added.
The growing burden of these diseases, along with gaps in the availability of retina specialists and infrastructure, has highlighted the need for greater capacity building, she said.
According to the Vitreo-Retina Society of India (VRSI), there are around 1,700 retinologists in the country, which is inadequate to meet the disease burden.
Medical retina training for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration is expected to enhance the ability of general ophthalmologists to identify and manage patients with these diseases.
Rajji Mehdwan, Director, RIHI and MD and CEO, Roche Pharma India, said, “Retinal diseases represent an invisible crisis for the country. Yet, India continues to face a significant gap in the availability of a trained retina specialist and skilled professional who can enable early detection and timely management. This is precisely where partnerships such as this can make a meaningful difference.”
“As a trusted healthcare partner, RIHI is proud to collaborate with AIIMS to strengthen capabilities and elevate patient care across India. The National Retina Skill Development Centre is an important initiative to translate clinical excellence into skills at scale. We are proud to support an initiative that can strengthen India’s retinal care ecosystem, reduce the burden of preventable blindness,” Mehdwan said.
