The Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, in collaboration with the All-India Ophthalmological Society, will host India's first International Ophthalmology Research Conference at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment, from May 9 to 10, the Defence Ministry announced.

This two-day academic event, titled All-India Ophthalmological Society - Armed Forces Ophthalmology Update (AIOS-AFOU 2026), will be inaugurated by Union Minister of State (MoS) Defence Sanjay Seth, according to a Ministry of Defence release.

The Chief of Defence Staff, the three Service Chiefs, and the Defence Secretary are expected to attend, highlighting the national significance and tri-service nature of the conference.

Nearly 200 prominent ophthalmologists from across India, alongside leading military eye specialists, will participate. The conference will comprehensively cover ophthalmology, including the latest developments across all major subspecialties.

More than 100 distinguished faculty members from institutions such as AIIMS, New Delhi; PGI, Chandigarh; LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad; Sankara Netralaya, Chennai; and Aravind Eye Care System will attend, the release stated.

Two internationally acclaimed ophthalmologists will also take part: Professor Harminder Singh Dua, Chair and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Nottingham, UK; and Colin Siang Hui Tan, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinician Researcher at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.

Professor Dua is globally recognised for his pioneering research in chemical ocular injuries and his landmark discovery of Dua's Layer, a significant advancement in corneal anatomy. Colin Siang Hui Tan heads the Fundus Image Reading Centre at the National Healthcare Group Eye Institute and is known for his expertise in retinal imaging, diabetic retinopathy, and AI-driven ophthalmic diagnostics, the release added.