CHENNAI, INDIA, August 16, 2024 – Alcon, the global leader in eye care dedicated to helping people see brilliantly, and Aravind Eye Care System today announced the launch of India’s first Global Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to providing comprehensive training in advanced cataract surgery procedures for ophthalmology residents. The development of this centre marks a significant milestone in a 20-year partnership between Alcon and Aravind Eye Care System, a philanthropic eye care organization with unparalleled expertise in teaching and coaching.

The Alcon Aravind Centre for Surgical Advancement will house a state-of-the-art training facility, with high-end equipment donated by Alcon,^* including CENTURION^® Vision System, LuxOR Revalia^™ Ophthalmic Microscope, ARGOS^® Biometer, and NGENUITY^® 3D Visualization System. Alcon’s innovations will be available in the operating room and practice lab to train residents in advanced procedures such as phacoemulsification.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Raj Narayanan, President, Alcon International, said, “Alcon has dedicated itself to helping people see brilliantly. We believe that everyone with cataracts should have access to a high standard of care for effective post-surgery vision restoration and a better quality of life in their aging years. This centre marks an important milestone in our 20-year partnership with Aravind and brings to life our shared vision of increasing access to quality eye care.”

“Cataract surgery is the most common surgery amongst aging adults in India. However, there is an urgent need to develop a large cadre of highly trained cataract surgeons in advanced procedures such as phacoemulsification so that all patients with cataracts can receive advanced surgical assistance,” commented Dr. S. Aravind, Chief Medical Officer, Aravind Eye Care System. “We are glad to see our collaboration with Alcon evolve into this centre that will help build surgical capacity not only in India but also in African countries through remote learning programs.” 

Phacoemulsification is an advanced technique of cataract surgery that is recognized as the preferred procedure in several evidence-based guidelines¹ as it offers advantages over the manual incision method, such as better post-operative visual acuity² and shorter recovery time.³ The procedure also has a smaller risk of surgical complications.³

Most of the ophthalmic residency programs in India focus on basic cataract surgery and few offer phacoemulsification training,⁴ highlighting the need for an elevated capacity for advanced surgical procedures such as phaco. The CoE aims to address this gap by providing surgical residents with more exposure to high-quality equipment and training.

Alcon is committed to advancing eye care and ensuring that the best possible treatments are accessible to those in need. This collaboration underscores the three pillars of Alcon’s social impact and sustainability initiative: Brilliant Lives, Brilliant Innovation and Brilliant Planet.

About Alcon

Alcon helps people see brilliantly. As the global leader in eye care with a heritage spanning over 75 years, we offer the broadest portfolio of products to enhance sight and improve people’s lives. Our Surgical and Vision Care products touch the lives of more than 260 million people in over 140 countries each year living with conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases and refractive errors. Our more than 25,000 associates are enhancing the quality of life through innovative products, partnerships with Eye Care Professionals and programs that advance access to quality eye care. Learn more at www.alcon.com.

References 

1. AAO 2016 - Cataract in the Adult Eye Preferred Practice Pattern.
2. Ruit S, Tabin G, Chang D, Bajracharya L, Kline DC et al. (2007) A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial of Phacoemulsification vs Manual Sutureless Small-Incision Extracapsular Cataract Surgery in Nepal. American Journal of Ophthalmology 143.
3. Rochmah TN, Wulandari A, Dahlui M, Ernawaty, Wulandari RD (2020) Cost Effectiveness Analysis Using Disability-Adjusted Life Years for Cataract Surgery. Int J Environ Res Public Health 17 (16).
4. Farooqui J, Mathur U, Pahwa R, Singh A, Vasavada V, Chaudhary R. Farooqui J, Mathur U, Pahwa R, Singh A, Vasavada V, Chaudhary R. Training Indian ophthalmologists in phacoemulsification surgery: Nine-year results of a unique two-week multicentric training program. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, vo. 69, 2021.

* Donations were made by Alcon Laboratories India Pvt. Ltd.

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Luiza Barros
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