Two Kashmiri ophthalmologists have been honored at national level at the 8th National Assembly of Forum of Ophthal Teachers of India (FOTI) for their remarkable contributions to ophthalmology, teaching, and research.
Professor Dr. Reyaz Untoo, former Principal and HOD Ophthalmology, SKIMS MC Bemina, and Dr. Sajad, Assistant Professor and HOD Ophthalmology, GMC Doda, were honored at the event recognizing their excellence, innovation, and dedication to eye healthcare in India.
They were awardees during the 8th National Assembly from the Forum of Ophthal Teachers of India (FOTI) under the aegis of Eye Research Foundation, Advanced Eye Centre, PGI Chandigarh.
The award was handed over to awardees by Padma Bhushan awardee Professor (Dr) K.K. Talwaar, a renowned intervention cardiologist, Former Director PGI Chandigarh and former Chairman Medical Council of India (MCI).
The assembly was presided over by Former Head of Department Ophthalmology RP Centre AIIMS New Delhi Padma Shree Awardee Professor (Dr) J S Tityal, Present head of department Ophthalmology, PGI Chandigarh Professor (Dr) SS Pandav and Former Head of department Ophthalmology, PGI Chandigarh Padma Shree Awardee Professor (Dr) Jagat Ram and General Secretary Foti Professor (Dr) Swapan Samantha. Besides that other prominent Ophthalmic Surgeons and teachers of India were present on occasion.
Dr Reyaz was awarded with Sushrut Samman award as a mark of respect and sincere acknowledgment for his dedicated teaching career.
Dr Sajad was awarded with Young Ophthal Teacher Gold Medal Award-2024 as a mark of motivation, enthusiasm and encouragement for his research, skill transfer and entrepreneurship in the arena of new developments in eye heath care to teachers of ophthalmology of India.
During the assembly, Dr Reyaz chaired various sessions of faculty talk and research presentation as judge and moderator.
Dr Sajad gave a faculty talk on his research work on Surgical Correction of Ptosis (Dropping eyelid) by tarso conjunctivo mullerectomy along with Levator resection and sling surgery in patients of severe ptosis and poor Levator function.
Dr Reyaz, who is a known name in ophthalmology, has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He was previously honored with the State Award for Meritorious Public Services and the Bharat Garav Award, among others.
Dr Reyaz also received the IMA President’s Award for his outstanding contributions to ophthalmic sciences. Notably, he played a pivotal role as the former Chairperson of the National Programme for Control of Blindness in Kashmir and as the Director of the Central Rehabilitation Centre (CRC) in Srinagar under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (2008–2011).
Dr Sajad, an MBBS graduate and MS (Ophthalmology) from GMC Srinagar, previously served as Registrar of Ophthalmology at SKIMS MC Bemina and as an Ophthalmologist at DH Pulwama. In 2022, he joined GMC Doda as an Assistant Professor and Head of the Ophthalmology Department. He is also a Nodal Officer for the National Program for Prevention and Control of Blindness (NPPCB) at Doda.
