The P Namperumalsamy Lecture is a prestigious oration delivered at the All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) annual conferences, honoring Dr P Namperumalsamy's pioneering contributions to ophthalmology, particularly in vitreoretinal surgery, diabetic retinopathy screening, and scalable rural eye care models.
The 2026 edition of this lecture was held in Jaipur at the 84th Annual Conference of the All India Ophthalmological Society, and was delivered by Dr Subhadra Jalali (Consultant Ophthalmologist, and Network Director of the Newborn Eye Health Alliance at LVPEI).
Dr Jalali’s oration, titled 'ROP Care Beyond Boundaries,' focused on the evolution of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) care — from its first description in Boston in 1941, to the global innovations that have since transformed ROP treatment and helped save vision among premature babies.
'Our Indian Twin Cities ROP Study Program (ITCROPS), started in 1998, has been a singular achievement in operational research—bringing knowledge from journal to the bedside of babies in remote areas and chaotic urban settings. With over 100,000 babies handled through the LVPEI Network, we have described new clinical presentations, evolved diagnostic markers using adult cameras for babies, and developed newer surgical techniques,' said Dr Jalali. During the lecture, she also highlighted LVPEI’s multidisciplinary, value-based care model that brings together neonatologists, anaesthetists, ophthalmologists, nurses, optometrists, counsellors, and rehabilitation experts.
The Indian Twin Cities ROP Study Program (ITCROPS) program has significantly advanced understanding of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in India’s unique demographic and neonatal-care contexts. Its contributions include:
Expanding Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening in rural and urban regions,
Developing new diagnostic biomarkers and adapting imaging innovations for neonates,
Innovating surgical approaches for advanced Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP),
And creating a one-month hands-on Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) training program that has trained 350+ ophthalmologists and allied health professionals across India and abroad.
LVPEI also established India’s first NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) located within a stand-alone eye hospital, enabling high-quality, comprehensive eye care for infants. 'We ensure that preterm babies not only survive but also see,' she emphasized.
Speaking about the honour of delivering the oration, Dr Jalali described the moment as profoundly meaningful.
'It was a moment of joy and humility because throughout my retina career, I have revered Prof P Namperumalsamy as my Param Guru—the guru of my guru, Dr Taraprasad Das. He has been an inspiration and has shown immense kindness and benevolence throughout the last three decades of my journey. As a student, I felt deeply grateful to have the opportunity to pay my humble tributes for all the values and science I learnt from both of them.'
