The fifth edition of Chandigarh Eye Film Fest and Quest 2026 brought together more than 100 eye surgeons from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to discuss the latest advancements in eye care, innovative surgical techniques and the importance of patient education. The conference was organised by City Eye Bank, Chandigarh, in collaboration with Dr Ashok Sharma’s Cornea Centre, under the aegis of the Chandigarh Ophthalmological Society, at Hotel Shivalik View here today.
The conference was inaugurated by Padma Shri Prof Amod Gupta, former Dean and Head of the Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh. Prof M.R. Dogra, former Head of the Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER, was the Guest of Honour. Dr S.S. Pandav, Dr Usha Singh, Dr Rajeev Gupta and Dr G.S. Mangat were also present on the occasion.
Delivering the keynote address on “Patient Literacy: The Uncharted Territory in India”, Prof Amod Gupta emphasised the importance of better communication between doctors and patients. He stressed that doctors must listen to patients with patience and empathy, without interrupting them while they describe their complaints and symptoms. He said communication should take place in a language the patient understands, and doctors must ensure that patients clearly comprehend the information and medical advice being given to them. Prof Gupta also underlined the need to educate patients about their medical conditions, available treatment options and potential risks. He stressed that patients must be counselled properly, involved in treatment decisions and treated with dignity, while ensuring that their privacy is respected.
Dr Shruti Anand spoke on the art of effective communication with patients and advised fellow doctors to exercise patience while listening to their concerns. She emphasised that allowing patients to express themselves without interruption is essential to building trust and ensuring better patient care.
Dr Ashok Sharma, Director of Dr Ashok Sharma’s Cornea Centre and Chief Organising Secretary of the conference, highlighted the latest developments in corneal transplantation, particularly the advantages of sutureless corneal transplants and the challenges involved in performing corneal transplants in children.
Having performed more than 250 paediatric corneal transplants and received several national and international awards, Dr Sharma shared his extensive experience in treating complex corneal diseases. His centre specialises in corneal transplants, limbal stem cell transplants and the management of complicated corneal disorders.
Presenting his work on corneal grafting in infants and children, Dr Sharma demonstrated the application of innovative femtosecond laser technology in corneal transplantation. He explained that femtosecond laser-assisted keratoplasty enables earlier visual rehabilitation and offers stable surgical outcomes.
Dr Rajan Sharma presented his research on an innovative approach involving the use of insulin eye drops to promote the healing of corneal ulcers. He shared findings from his basic research, during which he developed a cell line and evaluated the effects of insulin drops on corneal healing. His work explored the potential of insulin eye drops as a therapeutic option for improving the healing of corneal ulcers. The conference was moderated by Dr K.S. Kumar, a renowned retinal surgeon from Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Prof M.R. Dogra discussed the complexities of paediatric retinal detachment, emphasising the importance of early diagnosis and specialised surgical intervention to preserve vision in children. A pioneer in the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially sight-threatening condition affecting premature babies, he also highlighted the need for timely detection and treatment.
Dr S.S. Pandav addressed common misconceptions surrounding glaucoma surgery and stressed the importance of informed and timely surgical decisions. Dr Vishali Gupta shared practical, evidence-based approaches to diagnosing and treating uveitis, a condition involving inflammation inside the eye. Dr Usha Singh discussed vascular orbital tumours, outlining modern diagnostic techniques and treatment approaches for these challenging conditions.
Other experts, including Dr Anuradha Raj, Dr Parul Gupta Chawla, Dr Sonam Yangez, Dr Parul Gupta, Dr Mohit Dogra, Dr Jitender Jingal, Dr Rakesh Bansal, Dr Neeraj Gupta, Dr Nidhi Kalra and Dr Sujata Diwedi, shared their expertise through presentations and interactive discussions.
Sessions featuring research papers and challenging clinical cases presented by young ophthalmologists, along with a competitive two-minute surgical video presentation segment, were among the other highlights of the conference.
Maj (Dr) Yashasvi from the Eye Department, Command Hospital, Chandimandir, received the Best Challenging Case Presentation Award. A special award was presented to Col (Dr) Nidhi Kalra of the Eye Department, Command Hospital, Chandimandir, in recognition of her exemplary contributions to enhancing eye donation awareness and performing corneal transplants.
In the “2 Minutes to Win” competition, Dr Sonam Yandez secured the first position, followed by Dr G.S. Mangat in second place and Dr Raman Mittal in third place.
Prof Amod Gupta and Prof M.R. Dogra appreciated the efforts of Dr Ashok Sharma and the team at Dr Ashok Sharma’s Cornea Centre for organising the academic event and providing a valuable platform for eye surgeons from across the region to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging techniques and enhance patient care.
