Media Release
Udupi, Mar 25: The Department of Ophthalmology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal, inaugurated the Ophthalmology Microsurgical Skills and simulation lab at Kasturba Hospital on Wednesday, March 25, marking a significant step forward in simulation based surgical education and training. “This is the first medical college in Karnataka to offer this facility for Ophthalmology postgraduate training.”
The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by Dr Sharath K Rao, pro vice chancellor of MAHE, Manipal. The lab has been established with the objective of training the surgeons of tomorrow through innovation and simulation, strengthening hands on microsurgical skills in a structured and safe learning environment.
Dr Anil K Bhat, dean - KMC Manipal, Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent - Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, and Dr Yogish S Kamath, professor and head, Department of Ophthalmology. Faculty members, postgraduate residents, and administrative staff were also present.
The newly inaugurated lab is equipped with advanced simulation and wet lab facilities, including the EyeSi Surgical Simulator (Haag Streit) with cataract and vitreoretinal surgery modules, an advanced microsurgical wet lab, a phacoemulsification training system (Alcon Laureate Phaco System), and high end operating microscopes such as the Zeiss Opmi Visu S7 Operating Microscope.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sharath K Rao emphasised the importance of simulation based training in improving surgical precision, patient safety, and resident confidence before transitioning to live surgical procedures. The facility is expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing ophthalmic surgical education and research at KMC Manipal. He reaffirmed MAHE’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation in medical education.
An outline of the facility and planned academic programmes was presented by Dr Soumya S, associate professor and course coordinator, along with Dr Yogish S Kamath and Dr Rutvi Doshi, postgraduate representative, highlighting the lab’s role in structured skill development for residents and fellows.