Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital Opens Pinhole Pupilloplasty Centre in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay inaugurated a specialised pinhole pupilloplasty centre at Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital in Chennai on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

The new facility will focus on pinhole pupilloplasty (PPP), a microsurgical technique developed by Dr. Amar Agarwal, chairman of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals. The procedure is designed to improve the quality of vision in patients suffering from conditions such as corneal scars, irregular corneas, high corneal aberrations, and certain post-surgical optical distortions.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Agarwal highlighted the global shortage of donor corneas and the recurring complications associated with conventional transplants. He noted that an estimated two to five crore people worldwide are waiting for donor corneas every year, adding that donor tissue is simply not available in sufficient numbers, including in India. He also pointed out that graft rejection remains a second major challenge, requiring patients who undergo a corneal transplant to take medication for the rest of their lives.

Dr. Agarwal explained that the pinhole pupilloplasty procedure offers a practical alternative to standard transplants. Instead of removing the damaged scar tissue, surgeons bypass it entirely by creating a small pinhole in a clear part of the cornea, allowing light to enter the eye properly.

The resulting smaller aperture helps block scattered and distorted light rays, allowing better-focused rays to reach the retina. This pinhole effect works to reduce the impact of higher-order optical aberrations, thereby improving functional vision and overall visual quality for affected individuals.

Dr. Agarwal noted that the surgical technique is currently performed in the United States, Russia, Europe, and parts of India. He stated that the dedicated Pinhole Pupilloplasty Centre was established so that more patients can access the treatment, while doctors from around the world can receive training to bring additional specialists into the system.

The inaugural event was attended by Manoj Khatri, Director of Vitreo-Retinal Services; Athiya Agarwal, Director; Adil Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer; and S. Soundari, Regional Head of Clinical Services.