NE HEALTH BUREAU
NEW DELHI, MAY 8:
In a major milestone for India’s rapidly advancing eye-care ecosystem, the Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research and Referral), in collaboration with the All India Ophthalmological Society, is set to host the country’s first-ever International Ophthalmology Research Conference in the national capital on May 9 and 10.
The prestigious two-day academic conclave, titled AIOS-AFOU 2026, will be held at the Manekshaw Centre and inaugurated by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth.
- Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth to inaugurate landmark AIOS-AFOU 2026 conference in New Delhi
- Top eye specialists from AIIMS, Sankara Netralaya, Aravind and global institutes to converge at mega medical summit
- International experts to unveil cutting-edge advances in retinal imaging, AI diagnostics and corneal science
- Conference to strengthen civil-military medical collaboration and inspire next-generation military ophthalmologists
The event is expected to emerge as one of the largest and most influential ophthalmology gatherings in the country, bringing together nearly 200 renowned eye specialists, researchers and military ophthalmologists from India and abroad under one roof.
The presence of the Chief of Defence Staff, the three Service Chiefs and the Defence Secretary is being viewed as a reflection of the strategic importance and tri-service character of the conference, which aims to blend military medical expertise with cutting-edge civilian ophthalmic research.
Medical experts said the conference will showcase the latest advancements across all major ophthalmology subspecialties, including retinal imaging, corneal science, diabetic retinopathy, AI-powered diagnostics and advanced ocular trauma management.
More than 100 distinguished faculty members from premier institutions including All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, L V Prasad Eye Institute, Sankara Nethralaya and Aravind Eye Care System are scheduled to participate in the conference.
Adding global stature to the summit, internationally acclaimed ophthalmologists Harminder Singh Dua and Colin Siang Hui Tan will also take part in the event.
Prof. Dua is globally recognised for his pioneering work in chemical ocular injuries and for discovering the revolutionary “Dua’s Layer” in corneal anatomy — a breakthrough that transformed understanding of the human cornea. Meanwhile, Dr Colin Tan is internationally known for his expertise in retinal imaging, diabetic retinopathy and artificial intelligence-driven ophthalmic diagnostics.
Organisers said the conference will also serve as a powerful learning and networking platform for young serving ophthalmologists from across the Armed Forces, enabling them to interact with some of the world’s leading eye-care experts while showcasing their own research and clinical capabilities.
The event is expected to significantly boost collaboration between civilian and military ophthalmology institutions while strengthening India’s growing stature as a global hub for advanced eye-care research and innovation.
