Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar Inaugurates IIRSI Convention 2026 in Chennai
Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar inaugurated the Indian Intraocular Implant and Refractive Surgery Convention 2026 (IIRSI Convention) in Chennai on Saturday, July 4, 2026. The two-day scientific conference on eye surgery has brought together over 2,000 global ophthalmologists, surgeons, researchers, and experts to discuss the latest advancements in the field.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Arlekar emphasised the critical importance of a "human touch" in medical practice. He noted that professional talent and knowledge must be paired with empathy to be truly effective.
"If we do not have human touch, all that we are doing today will be of no use. We have talent, knowledge, and professionalism. Without human touch, it will be of no use," Mr. Arlekar said.
Observing that technology is meant to serve humanity, Governor Arlekar stated that it should not become the master, nor should people become slaves to it. "We have to be the masters of all technologies and processes. There will be innovations, digitalisation, and machinery but humanity and human touch is with the person who operates," he said.
The convention is the annual flagship event of the Intraocular Implant and Refractive Society of India (IIRSI). The event features more than 250 speakers, over 500 scientific topics, and nine wet lab sessions. The scientific sessions cover the latest advances in cataract, refractive surgery, cornea, retina, myopia, and comprehensive ophthalmology.
Jeewan Singh Titiyal, president of IIRSI, highlighted that the future of eye care lies in collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
Amar Agarwal, secretary general of IIRSI and chairman of Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, stated that the convention aims to empower ophthalmologists with new knowledge and skills. He noted that these skills would translate into better patient outcomes through scientific sessions, live surgeries, hands-on training, and interactions with international experts.
Other medical experts who spoke at the event included Namrata Sharma, chairman of the Scientific Committee for the All India Ophthalmic Society, and Mohan Rajan, past president of IIRSI and chairman and medical director of Rajan Eye Care Hospital.
