The Department of Ophthalmology was started as an independent unit in 1916 with Prof. A.E.J. Lister as the Head, and 1 lecturer. Subsequently, major developments took place in the 1920s and 1930s under Dr. B.G.S. Acharya. It is one of oldest departments of Ophthalmology in the country, and one of the first to introduce the course of MS (Ophthalmology) in 1935.

The DOMS (Diploma in Ophthalmic Medicine & Surgery) course was started in 1951. The department has a separate building (New Ophthalmic Block) which was commissioned in 1955. Another new building (South Block) was commissioned in 2006.Presently there are 8 seats annually for the MS.8 seats for senior residents(post MS) strengthen the teaching, training and research in the department. The department also teaches 250 MBBS students and 30 Diploma in Optometry students annually. Annually, fellowship is awarded to 3 candidates in Oculoplasty and Strabismus & Paediatric Ophthalmology.

Activities:

The department serves as the major referral centre for all eye problems, providing medical and surgical treatment to patients of Uttar Pradesh, neighbouring states and bordering Nepal. The department annually attends to the needs of 35000 patients on OPD basis. Outpatient department also provides services for refraction and minor surgical procedures.Recently ocular prosthesis service has been sanctioned. Sub-speciality clinics provide state of art care at low cost. These patient friendly services alleviate the need for travel beyond the state, thus preventing resource drainage.These clniics include Orbit clinic, Thyroid Eye Clinic, Retina clinic, Glaucoma Clinic,Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic, Cornea Clinic, Uveitis Clinic, Neuro-ophthalmology Clinic and Low vision aid clinic The department caters to the poorest of the poor in rural areas through weekly OPD services organised in surrounding villages of the city. Patients are treated medically for all eye related conditions at these facilities and brought to the base hospital for surgical treatment. The department, famous for its excellence in cataract surgeries was selected as a training center for Extra Capsular Cataract Extraction and Posterior Capsular Intra Ocular Lens surgery under the Government of India-World Bank Project in 1994.The department also houses an Eye Bank, recognised by Eye Bank Association of India Our faculty have set examples in academics by authoring various Text books. Clinico Radiological Altas of Orbital Disorders by Prof.ApjitKaur Chhabra, 17 textbooks by Prof SandeepSaxena and Strabismus for every Ophthalmologist by Dr Siddharth Agrawal are a few examples. Carrying on the legacy of Prof Lister, Prof Sandeep Saxena has designed a clinically very useful instrument "SaxenaGrid" for measuring retinal lesions. The instrument is being manufactured by Ocular Instruments, USA. Updating of theoretical knowledge and practical skills is done by conducting CME programmes of eachSub-specialiy.live surgical demonstrations by invited faculy of national and international eminence .Active participation by faculty and residents in national and international conferences is encouraged. Formative and summative assessment of post graduate students ensures academic excellence of the students enrolled for post-graduate degree in Ophthalmology.The Department Awards Dr Baljeet Bhatia Memorial Gold Medal to the best student of the yearandDr Girish Chandra Award,for the best outgoing residen.

Developments in 2019-2020

The department has undergone structural, functional and academic revamping during this period. Diagnostic and speciality care services were consolidated on the 2nd floor, South Wing. A new Patient Waiting Area with 'Patient Calling System "became operational in the basement of south wing. Establishment of Ocular Orbital Prosthesis Laboratory got institutional approval. The second operation theatre renovation work was completed. Digitalisation of Operation theatre records was started .The OPD had an annual turnover of 90266 patients (58217 new and 32049 old patients). 3184 minor and 2469 major operations were performed, along with providing dedicated service in social outreach programmes. International Council of Ophthalmology Curriculum has been implemented for resident training. Ocular Response Analyzer, (essential for analysis of corneal biomechanics ) and an Operating microscope were added. Dr Girish Chandra Award,for the best outgoing resident was instituted by Dr Girish Chandra (U K based Alumnus of the department). The Department organized a CME on Strabismus, held the Dr. MK Mehra Oration, delivered by Dr. Usha Kim (DO, DNB), Chief of Department of Orbit, Oculoplasty, Ocular Oncology and Ocular Prosthetics at Aravind Eye Hospitals& President of OPAI, as the eminent chief guest in (scientific workshop with live surgery session) and was visited by "Drishti RathYatra" for a one day blindness awareness programme. The department played a pivotal role in organizing the UPSOS annual conference, along with faculty participation in numerous national and international conferences. Prof. Sandeep Saxena received Fellowship of the American College of Surgeons. Prof S K Bhasker, Dr Rajat, Mohan Srivastava and Dr Gaurav Kumar went for training in glaucoma and CVI respectively. 19 publications in indexed peer reviewed journals, 4 textbook publications, and 6 awards were won by residents.Three projects through extramural and two intramural funding are in progress. Prof. Vinita Singh superannuated , handing over charge to Prof. A Kaur who also got additionally designated as the Dean,Faculty of Nursing. Prof. Poonam Kishore (MS) took voluntary retirement. Dr Siddharth Agrawal and Dr Vishal Katiyar were promoted to Additional Professor and Associate Professor respectively.