Sankara Eye Hospital, India and The Chinese University of Hong Kong
(CUHK) recently signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to revolutionize
paediatric eye care and myopia treatment, marking a major step forward in clinical collaboration,
research and education. Researchers from India and Hongkong commit to collaborate to reduce
childhood blindness.

Dr. Kaushik Murali, President  Medical Administration, Quality & Training, Sankara Eye Hospital,
Bangalore signed a landmark MoU with the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at
CUHK. This historic international alliance focuses on innovating technological approaches to delay
the progression and prevent the onset of refractive errors, especially myopia, while also targeting
complex challenges surrounding retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and ocular tumours.

Underlining the importance of the collaboration, Prof. Clement Tham, Chairman, Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, CUHK shared, “This MOU between CUHK Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Sankara Eye Hospital reflects our shared commitment to
advancing world-class ophthalmic research and education. We believe this international
collaboration will foster innovation and deliver meaningful benefits to patients and communities
globally.” While Prof. T.R. Raju, Director of Research at Sankara Eye Hospitals, said “By harnessing
the complementary expertise of both institutions, we aim to generate pioneering knowledge that
will drive transformative advances in eye care. Together, we aspire to create innovations that will
not only elevate clinical practice but also bring lasting benefit to humanity.”

This international alliance focuses on innovating approaches to delay the progression and prevent
the onset of refractive errors, especially myopia. It also targets complex challenges surrounding
retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and ocular tumours. Prof. Pang and Prof. Jason Yam from the
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at CUHK, emphasized that combining the
institutions' complementary expertise will generate pioneering knowledge, elevate clinical practice,
and bring lasting benefits to patients globally.

Dr. Divya Caculo, Consultant Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Sankara Eye Hospital, Bangalore
highlighted “Fortunately, recent ophthalmic developments are transforming care. Evidence-based
myopia frameworks, such as low-dose atropine therapy and specialized optical designs, are
actively slowing near sightedness in children. Genetic testing facilitates precise profiling of
inherited retinal disorders, while wide field retinal imaging paired with advanced anti VEGF
therapies has revolutionized ROP treatment for premature infants. I view AI enabled screening
tools as a foundational paradigm shift, allowing clinicians to map and detect disorders at vastly
earlier stages to bridge accessibility gaps in underserved communities.”

This pioneering international alliance has a focus to drive accelerate technology driven clinical
applications and foster educational exchanges that will profoundly impact the diagnosis and
management of these conditions and the overall well-being of children worldwide
Dr. Namratha Hegde, PhD, Optometry Faculty & Lead Institutional Research, Sankara Eye Hospital
said “Integrating routine, school-based vision screenings directly into school health ecosystems
ensures swift clinical referrals, dramatically diminishing the societal burden of avoidable
blindness. This intervention is critical as the prevalence of myopia skyrockets globally among

youth due to prolonged near-work focus, increased digital screen exposure, and reduced outdoor
time. concluded that resolving these inequities demands systemic coordination among medical
communities, educators, policymakers, and families to guarantee a brighter, clearer future for
children everywhere.”