JAMMU, Oct 29: The Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Jammu, organised the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) PrayogShala E-Connect Workshop on “Retina Diagnostics” on 25 October 2026 at the AIIMS Jammu Convention Centre. The workshop was organised as part of the AIOS e-PrayogShala series and featured scientific lectures by experts from leading institutions across the country, along with hands-on training in retinal diagnostic techniques.
Dr. RenuHashia, Professor and Head, Department of Ophthalmology, ASCOMS, Jammu, discussed cataract surgery in diabetes mellitus. Dr. Shourya Vardhan Azad, Additional Professor, RP Centre of Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS New Delhi, spoke on the basics and interpretation of electrophysiology. Dr. Simar Ranjan Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, PGIMER Chandigarh, deliberated on the basics of paediatric retinal imaging and its interpretation. Dr. Rimpika Mahajan, Senior Consultant, Sharp Sight Group of Hospitals, discussed various types of anti-VEGF drugs, while Dr. Atul Arora, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, PGIMER Chandigarh, spoke on the basics of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and its interpretation. Dr. Sadaf Altaf, Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, GMC Srinagar, delivered a session on the basics of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and its interpretation.
In addition to the scientific sessions, the workshop featured hands-on training in fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The practical sessions were conducted under the guidance of expert instructors Arun Kapil and Sushil Bhat from PGIMER Chandigarh, and Bhavya Kapoor from ESI Hospital, Jammu.
The workshop was attended by faculty members and residents from AIIMS Jammu, GMC Kathua, GMC Udhampur, ASCOMS Sidhra and the Health Services. The organising team from the Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Jammu, comprised Dr. Bhavani Raina, Additional Professor and Head (Programme Chairperson); Dr. Nitin Kumar, Additional Professor (Programme Director); Dr. Nazia Anjum, Associate Professor (Organising Secretary); and Dr. Ridham Nanda, Assistant Professor (Co-organising Secretary). The sessions were moderated by Dr. Asma Jabeen, Dr. Sadaf Choudhary and Dr. Shefali Verma.
The AIOS e-PrayogShala initiative aims to bridge skill gaps among ophthalmology residents across teaching institutions in the country by providing opportunities for learning, practical training and interaction with experts.
Prof. (Dr.) Sanjeev Sinha, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Jammu, inaugurated the workshop and reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to strengthening medical education and clinical training. He emphasised that scientific workshops of this nature provide residents with valuable opportunities to enhance their diagnostic skills, learn about evolving technologies and gain practical insights from experienced specialists. He further highlighted the importance of mentoring and collaboration between teaching institutions and professional scientific societies in improving the quality of medical education and advancing patient care.
The workshop also provided a valuable platform for academic exchange and knowledge-sharing among ophthalmologists from different institutions. The combination of expert lectures and hands-on training enabled participants to strengthen their understanding of advanced retinal imaging techniques and their clinical applications, contributing towards improved diagnostic capabilities and patient care.