Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar inaugurates IIRSI 2026 eye surgery convention in Chennai
Chennai: Governor of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, inaugurated the two-day Indian Intraocular Implant & Refractive Surgery Convention 2026 (IIRSI Convention) in Chennai on Saturday. The convention, organised by the Intraocular Implant & Refractive Society of India (IIRSI), is one of the country’s major scientific conferences focused on eye surgery.
The convention, being held on July 4 and 5, has brought together more than 2,000 ophthalmologists, surgeons, researchers and eye care experts from India and abroad. The programme features over 250 speakers, more than 500 scientific presentations and nine wet lab sessions covering recent developments in ophthalmology.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Padma Shri Dr. Jeewan Singh Titiyal, President of IIRSI; Prof. Amar Agarwal, Secretary General of IIRSI; Dr. Namrata Sharma, Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the All India Ophthalmic Society; Dr. Gaurav Luthra, Chairman of IIRSI ARC; Dr. T.P. Lahane, Past President of IIRSI; Dr. Ragini Parekh, Past President of IIRSI; Dr. Ritika Sachdev, Executive Committee Member of IIRSI; Maj. Gen. J.K.S. Parihar, Immediate Past President of IIRSI; Dr. Rohit Om Prakash, Scientific International Coordinator of IIRSI; Dr. Mohan Rajan, along with ophthalmologists, researchers and eye care professionals from across the world.
Scientific sessions at the convention cover cataract surgery, refractive surgery, cornea, retina, myopia and comprehensive ophthalmology. The programme includes lectures by national and international faculty, live surgical demonstrations and discussions on emerging technologies, complex clinical cases and evolving treatment practices.
In addition to the scientific sessions, the convention includes specialised wet lab training, abstract presentations and the IIRSI Ophthalmic Photography Competition.
The Ophthalmic Premier League (Mohan Rajan OPL Trophy) is also being conducted during the convention. The competition focuses on the management of ophthalmic complications and advanced surgical procedures through team-based video presentations, live case discussions, surgeon self-evaluation and expert assessment with real-time scoring.
A new initiative, BAdS@IIRSI, has been introduced at this year’s convention. Led by Dr. Ashvin Agarwal, the session brings together clinicians and industry leaders to discuss business strategy, technological developments and the future of ophthalmic care.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar said that India has emerged as an important centre for medical innovation and healthcare excellence. He noted that Tamil Nadu has established itself as a leader in healthcare delivery and medical education, with institutions making significant contributions to ophthalmic care and research. He said conventions such as IIRSI provide an important platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration and professional development, benefiting patients in India and abroad.
Dr. Jeewan Singh Titiyal, President of IIRSI and the All India Ophthalmological Society, said collaboration, innovation and continuous learning are essential for the future of eye care. He stated that the convention enables scientific exchange and helps strengthen efforts to provide safer, advanced and accessible vision care.
Prof. Amar Agarwal, Secretary General of IIRSI and Chairman of Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, said the convention provides a platform for experts in ophthalmology to exchange knowledge, present innovations and discuss advances in eye care. He added that scientific sessions, live surgeries, hands-on training and interactions with international experts are intended to support professional development and improve patient care while encouraging collaboration within the ophthalmic community.
