#India #Coimbatore #Alcon #Retina Training #Aravind Eye Care

A New Era in Ophthalmology: Aravind Eye Care and Alcon's Global Center for Retina Training

On July 24, 2026, the Aravind Eye Care System, in partnership with global eye care leader Alcon, inaugurated the Aravind Alcon Global Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Vitreoretinal Surgery in Coimbatore, India. This new center marks a significant chapter in their ongoing collaboration, which aims to bridge crucial gaps in the training and delivery of retinal care globally.

The center will serve as a specialized training hub, expanding access to advanced ophthalmic care in regions where these services are often limited. By focusing on vitreoretinal surgery, the CoE addresses one of the most pressing needs in the eye care community—enhanced surgical training and expertise in retinal diseases.

Addressing a Critical Shortage of Specialized Care

While cataract care has seen significant advancements, the management of retinal diseases has lagged due to a shortage of qualified specialists, particularly in areas like Africa, Latin America, and some parts of Asia. The CoE is designed to provide international training that combines hands-on surgical experience with scalable virtual education. This program emphasizes practical skills development and long-term capacity building for ophthalmologists in underserved regions.

The state-of-the-art center will initially train around 60 participants annually while also expanding its reach through virtual training programs. This hybrid educational approach aims to cultivate a new wave of specialists who can confidently tackle complex retinal surgeries.

Mr. Raj Narayanan, Senior Vice President and President of Alcon International, stated, "For over two decades, Alcon and Aravind have partnered to advance surgical training and improve eye care globally. The inauguration of this new Retina Centre of Excellence signifies a vital milestone in our shared commitment to train the next generation of eye care professionals with world-class skills and knowledge. We take pride in furthering this partnership which positively impacts patient outcomes and broadens access to quality eye care worldwide."

Commitment to Education and Community Health

Dr. Narendran, Medical Director of the Aravind Eye Hospital in Coimbatore, emphasized that within the Aravind Eye Care System, training has always been central to their mission of eliminating avoidable blindness. He remarked, "For more than two decades, our partnership with Alcon has embodied our commitment to delivering world-class surgical training. We are proud to house the first global centre dedicated to retinal diseases in India, especially at a time when retinal diseases increasingly contribute to vision loss globally. The need for specialized retinal surgeons is ever-growing."

The center offers future ophthalmologists a structured and practice-oriented path, enabling them to master intricate surgical procedures amidst a supportive learning environment. Alongside Alcon, Aravind is eager to enhance eye care services, improve patient outcomes, and expand access to quality treatments for those in need.

The Aravind Eye Care System is globally recognized for its quality eye care and high-caliber medical training and knowledge transfer. This new center will not only advance vitreoretinal training but also help bolster surgical capabilities, improving access to retinal care in underserved areas. By merging hands-on training with scalable virtual instruction, this initiative strives to enhance long-term healthcare capacity and ultimately contribute to better clinical outcomes for patients worldwide.

About Alcon

Alcon has a storied history of over 75 years in the eye care industry, dedicated to helping people see brilliantly. As a global leader, they provide a comprehensive range of products designed to improve vision and quality of life for individuals. Each year, their ophthalmic products positively impact more than 260 million lives in over 140 countries, addressing issues such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, and refractive errors. With over 25,000 employees, Alcon continues to innovate and partner with eye care professionals to make quality eye care accessible. For further details, visit www.alcon.com.