Message from Organizing chair

Dear friends,

Greetings from the Sankara Nethralaya Elite School of Optometry, Kolkata! It gives me immense pleasure and pride to invite you all to the 1st Dr. SSB Memorial Optometry Scientific Session, a landmark event that honors the legacy of the Late Padma Bhushan Dr. Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath. Dr. S.S. Badrinath recognized the critical shortage of skilled vision care professionals in India’s eye care delivery system. To address this gap, he laid the foundation for the Elite School of Optometry, ensuring the training of highly qualified optometrists to meet the nation’s primary eye care needs. His tireless dedication created a ripple effect, inspiring generations of professionals to continue his mission of delivering accessible, high-quality eye care. While he was often referred to as a "living legend," his absence is a poignant reminder of the profound impact of his work, which continues to illuminate the path for future medical professionals. As part of his vision, the Sankara Nethralaya Elite School of Optometry, Kolkata, was inaugurated in August 2024 to produce a new generation of optometrists dedicated to serve the growing need for quality vision care in West Bengal and beyond. It is with great pride that we announce our first national conference in Kolkata, organized in fond memory of our guiding light, Dr. S.S. Badrinath.

This year the organizing committee has decided “Optometry 360 : Clinical Expertise, Ethical Practice, and Legislative Progress” as the theme for the conference. The year 2025 also marks the completion of 98 years of optometry education in India, with a first course on refraction and dispensing started by the Indian College of Optics in 1927. Reaching close to the centennial year, SNESO would love to shoulder the responsibility of sharing and disseminating prospective information on optometric education to the optometry fraternity. This makes the year 2025 particularly significant, as it will host the inaugural of 1st Dr. SSB Memorial Optometry Scientific Session promising to be a memorable occasion for all participants.

Join us in the optometry scientific feast!

Best wishes and regards

Dr N Anuradha
Organizing Chair
Principal – Sankara Nethralaya Elite School of Optometry, Kolkata and Elite School of Optometry, Chennai