10/01/2026
*Some conversations are not routine - they are necessary.*
The webinar “Enhancing Patient Safety in Eye Care - Role of Optometrists”, held on 8th January 2026, was one such timely and meaningful initiative that brought together voices from across ophthalmology, optometry, education, and patient care.
With close to 200 registrations, the response clearly reflected how keen the eye-care community is to engage in conversations that go beyond day-to-day practice, conversations that address responsibility, safety, collaboration, and the future of eye care.
This initiative was made possible through the collective efforts of Zamindar Microsurgical Eye Centre, in collaboration with the Indian Optometric Association, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, and the International Eye Care Alliance - organisations that came together with a shared intent to strengthen dialogue and understanding across the eye-care ecosystem.
The webinar featured a distinguished group of speakers and panelists:
* Dr. Namrata Sharma, Chairman – Scientific Committee, All India Ophthalmological Society
* Dr. Samina Zamindar, Chief Medical Director, Zamindar Microsurgical Eye Centre
* Dr. Rajeev Prasad, Senior Optometrist & Secretary General, Indian Optometric Association
* Mr. Avinash V. Prabhu, Assistant Professor – Optometry, Department of Allied Health Sciences, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences
* Dr. Mohita Sharma, General Secretary, Women Ophthalmologists Society (WOS)
* Dr. Pradnya Sriram, Senior Ophthalmic Anaesthetist
Together, the discussion touched upon critical aspects of contemporary eye care - the burden of avoidable blindness, the evolving role of optometrists, ethical responsibility, training and education, global learnings, and the importance of working cohesively to ensure patient safety.
What stood out through the dialogue was clear and compelling:
- Patient safety cannot be addressed in isolation or silos.
- Eye care today demands stronger integration between education, clinical practice, and ethics.
- The role of optometrists is expanding and must be supported with clarity, trust, and responsibility.
- Collaboration is no longer optional; it is essential
