Tamil Nadu CM Inaugurates World’s First Pinhole Pupilloplasty Centre in Chennai
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay inaugurated the World’s First Pinhole Pupilloplasty Centre at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital on TTK Road, Alwarpet, Chennai, on Thursday.
The centre was inaugurated in the presence of Prof. Dr. Amar Agarwal, Dr. Manoj Khatri and other dignitaries. The launch coincides with the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight and focuses on tissue-preserving treatment options for selected patients with complex corneal conditions.
Pinhole Pupilloplasty (PPP) is a microsurgical technique developed by Prof. Dr. Amar Agarwal. The procedure has so far provided vision to more than 5,000 patients, according to the hospital.
The technique is intended for appropriately selected patients with conditions including corneal scars, irregular corneas, high corneal aberrations and certain post-surgical optical distortions. Rather than replacing the cornea, the procedure modifies the eye’s optical system by creating a small, precisely centred pupillary aperture.
The smaller aperture creates a pinhole effect that limits scattered and distorted light rays while allowing better-focused rays to reach the retina. This can reduce the effect of higher-order optical aberrations and improve functional vision and visual quality in suitable patients.
A key feature of the procedure is that it does not require donor corneal tissue. This is significant amid the continuing shortage of donor corneas globally. An international survey on corneal transplantation and eye banking estimated that around 12.7 million people worldwide were awaiting corneal transplantation, while only one donor cornea was available for every 70 people in need. The survey reported that about 185,000 corneal transplants were performed annually across 116 countries.
Prof. Dr. Amar Agarwal, Chairman, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, said the dedicated centre would provide a structured pathway covering corneal diagnostics, optical assessment, surgery and long-term outcome monitoring. He added that the centre would also support training ophthalmologists in identifying suitable patients for the procedure.
Dr. Manoj Khatri, Director, Vitreo-Retinal Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, said the centre would help take the technique from a scientific innovation to a clinical solution for patients with complex visual problems.
The hospital said it has been conducting workshops and academic programmes to increase awareness and knowledge of the technique among ophthalmologists, with more than 50 ophthalmologists undergoing training every year.
The Alwarpet centre will function as a comprehensive programme covering advanced diagnostics, patient selection, surgery, postoperative assessment, long-term follow-up, research and ophthalmic training.
The inauguration also follows a recent community eye-health initiative by Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital in Tamil Nadu. To mark the birthday of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the hospital conducted a one-day eye-screening programme for schoolchildren across the state, screening more than 16,000 students.
The new centre is expected to focus on the clinical application and further development of Pinhole Pupilloplasty for selected patients, while also contributing to ophthalmic training and research.
