In July, Professor Omar Mahroo NIHR BRC: Moorfields Clinical Academic Lead travelled to the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in India for a productive four-day visit.
Prof Mahroo who is Professor of Retinal Neuroscience at UCL and Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields visited the LVPEI in Bhubaneswar to deliver the respected “16th Prof C S Bhaskaran Endowment Lecture.” His talk, ‘Inherited Retinal Diseases in 2026 and Beyond’, explored the latest technologies in retinal imaging and how it is shaping the future of eye care both home and abroad. Research conducted through our partnership has wide-ranging impact and implications.
The collective expertise established relationships and shared resources built over time represent a valuable asset for all those working in the field. Prof Mahroo’s research as part of our partnership has wide-ranging impact and implications. His team’s collective expertise has established relationships and shared resources built over time and represent a valuable asset for all those working in the field globally.
Aside from his lecture, Prof Mahroo went directly into the clinic to review patients on his first day. He led electrophysiology workshops and discussions on complex medical cases alongside local doctors. He even found time to participate in the campus’s ‘Adopt A Tree’ initiative, planting a tree to support the institute’s environmental sustainability efforts.
The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) has an inspiring mission. Established in 1987 by Dr. Rao, LVPEI is a major eye care network dedicated to advancing comprehensive eye care, research, rehabilitation, and community outreach. The Bhubaneswar campus, which is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, has already served over 2.37 million patients.
The institute stands out for its commitment to making healthcare accessible to everyone, no matter their financial situation. With 23% of patients and 34% of surgical patients receiving care entirely free of charge, it demonstrates hope and commitment to the people of the region.
In praise of this approach, Prof. Mahroo commented:
“It was a huge honour to be invited to deliver the lecture. I was extremely impressed with the ethos of the LV Prasad Eye Institute, which seeks to provide excellent eye care irrespective of patients’ ability to pay.”
Prof. Omar Mahroo
Looking forwards this visit represents the exciting start of a working relationship between our organisations. While Prof Mahroo’s previous connection with the institute was mainly limited to online meetings, this face-to-face exchange of knowledge has set a strong foundation. Sharing expertise between UCL, Moorfields, and LVPEI, the visit has created promise for future collaborations.
Prof Mahroo himself concluded:
“Hopefully we will have some strong collaborations going forward.”