Dr Aditya Kelkar,
Additional Medical Director, National Institute of
Ophthalmology

With clinical expertise and sophistication of diagnostic and treatment procedures, NIO (National Institute of Opthalmology) serves the needs of its patients across a wide spectrum of eye disorders related to Cornea, Retina, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Neuro Ophthalmology and Oculoplasty. Dr Aditya Kelkar, Additional Medical Director, National Institute of Ophthalmology, in conversation with Nikita Narvekar, ENN, holds forth on landmark initiatives that have turned NIO into a hospital of choice for eye patients in and around Pune

What is the next exciting phase for NIO in 2014-15?

NIO has been providing complete eye care since its inception in 1992. It has always been a challenge to live up to the reputation that NIO has. We also now have a new centre at Baner which was opened few months back. Its benefiting the patients as the tertiary care will be available to more patients.

What are the latest super- specialty services that you have started?

One of the super-specialty services is the advancement in refractive surgery. IntraLase is a new state-of-the- art laser treatment that prepares the LASIK corneal flap by using a femtosecond laser. Normal LASIK treatments use a mechanical device called a microkeratome which uses a blade to produce the LASIK flap. This No Blade procedure produces a flap that is much more precise in depth, is cleaner, more accurate and is thinner. This results in many benefits to the LASIK patient. NIO is one of the very few hospitals in Pune which offers special unit for Pediatric Ophthalmology.

What are your initiatives in medical education and training?

We have always been ahead in research and teaching programmes. NIO has been home to many clinical trials in the past. It is recognised by the National Board of Examinations for DNB post-graduate course in Opthalmology. Academic meets and conferences conducted every month, benefit not only students from our institute, but also students from other institutes.

“Many cities in our country are developing at a very fast pace. Pune being one of them is growing in all terms”

What is the latest modern equipment you have deployed in diagnosis and treatment at the hospital?

All equipments at NIO are based on modern technology and they meet the international standards. The latest therapeutic procedure, as mentioned earlier, Intralase-for refractive surgery. Also, the equipments used for vitreo-retinal surgeries are the most advanced ones. As far as diagnostic equipments are concerned , the Spectral 3D OCT and fundus photo ma- chine are one of the best in its class, providing excellent resolution, clarity and image quality, which helps us to pick up signs which would have been missed on the conventional machines. NIO also has its own international standard modular operation theatre with laminar air-flow.

Kindly update us on any of your landmark initiative on any treatment modality/department infrastructure.

We initiated a mobile diabetic retinopathy screening programme which involves a fully-equipped hi-tech van having retinal camera for mass screening programmes.

Tell us about your initiatives on collaborations and partnerships, also accreditation strategies.

NIO is affiliated with the University of Pune, the National Board of Examina- tion and the College of Physician and Surgeon. NIO is Punes first NABH accredited super-specialty eye hospital. NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) is a constituent board of Quality Council of India, set up to establish and operate accreditation programme for healthcare organizations. There are many benefits of accreditation such as better quality care, patient safety, credentialed staff, regular uation of quality standards etc. Apart from this, the hospital is also authorized for treatment under Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Central Service Medical Attendance (CSMA) and State Government Employees.

What are the new opportunities in Tier-II and II cities across India?

Many cities in our country are developing at a very fast pace. Pune being one of them is growing in all terms. Corporate culture has also set in. It has become an educational hub. This definitely increases the opportunities as more and more people are becoming aware of various eye conditions. Also, the compliance is better where the awareness is more.

What are your expansion plans?

More Satellite centres to come up in the next five years to extend the quality eye care to all.

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