Akhand Jyoti Doctors Shine At Apao_aios 2025 With Research, Innovation, And Impact
The 40th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Congress, held in conjunction with the 83rd Annual Conference of the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, New Delhi, was a momentous occasion for Akhand Jyoti Eye Hospital. It brought together leading ophthalmologists, researchers, and public health professionals from across the globe to discuss the future of vision care.
Amidst this constellation of global eye health leaders, four doctors from Akhand Jyoti not only represented the spirit of grassroots innovation but also demonstrated the hospital’s unwavering commitment to clinical excellence, research, and scalable impact.
Dr. Ajit Kumar Poddar: Leadership Rooted in Purpose, Scaling with Vision
Dr. Ajit Kumar Poddar, Medical Director of Akhand Jyoti, delivered an inspiring keynote during the SAO–APAO Academic Partnership Scientific Session, titled “Pearls from Best Practice.”
As a speaker, panellist, and session co-chair, Dr. Poddar shared the journey of Akhand Jyoti—from a modest 10-bedded eye hospital to a super-specialty institution anchored in rural Saran, Bihar. His presentation outlined the five pillars that guide the hospital’s success:
- Purpose Beyond Self & Healthcare
- People-Centred Leadership Culture
- Scalability & Sustainability through Design
- Innovation & Research as Daily Practice
- Community Integration & Social Change through initiatives like Football to Eyeball and Nayan Suraksha Mission
Dr. Poddar’s grounded and strategic leadership narrative resonated deeply with attendees. It affirmed that transformation in eye care is not just clinical—it is systemic, social, and values-driven.
Dr. Afroz Alam: Championing Safe High-Volume Cataract Surgery
Dr. Afroz Alam, Chief Medical Officer (Academic & Research),received the Best Hyde Park Session Award (Joint Winner) – Cataract for his data-driven talk:
“Impact of Surgical Volume on Intra-Operative Complications in Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery.”
He presented compelling evidence showing that Akhand Jyoti’s high-volume cataract model not only meets but exceeds safety benchmarks—dispelling the myth that quantity compromises quality.
Key points included:
- Data showing lower intra-operative complications compared to national averages
- Link between experience-driven volume and surgical confidence
- Implications for backlog elimination in states like Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Dr. Alam also served as faculty in Skills Transfer Courses, training young surgeons in SICS, Phacoemulsification, and Anterior Vitrectomy techniques. His dual role as researcher and mentor reinforces Akhand Jyoti’s institutional commitment to capacity-building in rural ophthalmology.
Dr. Sumit Randhir Singh: Advancing Retinal Science from Rural Bihar
Dr. Sumit Randhir Singh, Senior Consultant, Vitreo-Retina Department at Akhand Jyoti, presented a groundbreaking study co-authored with global collaborators on Delayed Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment after Macular Surgery—a complex post-surgical complication. Published in Retina, one of the world’s most prestigious ophthalmology journals, this multicentric research offers crucial insights that inform post-operative care globally.
Beyond this paper, Dr. Singh's research contributions have been prolific:
- A BMJ-published case study on Waardenburg Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder
- The ICEBERG study on anti-VEGF agents in treating wet age-related macular degeneration
- A comprehensive review on advanced imaging of inherited retinal diseases, published in Diagnostics
- An independent investigation on Panuveitis with organised fibrin, mimicking dislocated lens pathology
These diverse and impactful studies empower Akhand Jyoti to confidently diagnose and treat complex retinal disorders in one of India’s most underserved regions. As part of the organisation’s Vision 2030 strategy to publish 50 evidence-based papers, Dr. Singh exemplifies how scientific inquiry and community practice can co-exist and thrive.
Dr. Santosh Kumar: Innovating Retinal Surgery in Resource-Constrained Settings
Dr. Santosh Kumar, Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeon and Head of the Retina Department, earned global acclaim with the podium selection of his surgical technique video:
“Proportional Hydroreflux for Membrane Peeling in Diabetic Tractional Retinal Detachment.”
Featured in the Posterior Segment II session at the APAO-AIOS 2025 Congress, his innovative method highlights a safer, more controlled way to peel fibrous membranes—a procedure often complicated by fragile diabetic retinal tissues.
Dr. Kumar’s approach:
- Enhances surgical precision
- Minimises trauma in delicate retinal environments
- Is especially effective in high-volume, resource-limited surgical units like Akhand Jyoti
His work stands as a testament to how refined microsurgical techniques developed in rural contexts can set global benchmarks, reinforcing Akhand Jyoti’s role as a centre for excellence in both service and innovation.
From Bihar to the World – A Model Worth Replicating
Akhand Jyoti’s presence at APAO-AIOS 2025 was more than just institutional—it was ideological. It brought to centre stage a rural, scalable, and socially-anchored healthcare model that blends clinical rigour with community transformation.
The contributions of Dr. Singh, Dr. Kumar, Dr. Poddar, and Dr. Alam weren’t just presentations; they were proof points of what’s possible when service meets science.
Together, they embody Akhand Jyoti’s Vision 2030—to eliminate curable blindness through 2 million surgeries, 12 million screenings, and the empowerment of 1,500 rural girls as optometrists.
In a world seeking healthcare models that are affordable, inclusive, and sustainable, Akhand Jyoti offers a roadmap—from the heart of rural India to the global stage.
