Chennai, April 16: Marking a momentous recognition for eye care in India, two distinguished ophthalmologists from Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospitals, Dr. Athiya Agarwal and Dr. Soosan Jacob, have been honoured with prestigious international awards at the 44th Film Festival of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), held on April 12, 2026 in Washington DC, USA, for their educational films on advanced eye surgical techniques.
ASCRS Film Festival 2026 celebrates innovation and educational excellence through peer-reviewed surgical films. The rapid-fire video sessions at the festival showcase high-impact micro learning moments, featuring surgical tips, innovative techniques, complication management, and transformative tools that advance clinical practice.
Dr. Athiya Agarwal, Director, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, won the first prize for her submission, “Pearls of Iris Repair”. Dr Athiya Agarwal is a leading anterior segment surgeon and ocular pathologist, actively involved in postgraduate training and research at Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospitals. Her award-winning film highlights the ‘Pinhole Pupilloplasty’, an advanced iris repair technique that improves visual quality by allowing only central light rays into the eye, benefiting patients with corneal scarring and irregular corneas, and in some cases helping avoid the need for corneal transplantation.
In the same film festival, Dr. Soosan Jacob, Director and Chief of Dr Agarwals Refractive and Cornea Foundation, won the runner-up award for her surgical video presentation titled, “Rebubbling in Keratoplasty”, which focuses on the role of rebubbling, a procedure that helps a transplanted corneal layer adhere properly after surgeries like keratoplasty (corneal transplantation). Dr. Soosan is an internationally renowned ophthalmologist, ranked among the world’s top corneal and refractive surgeons, including the Top 10 in the 2025 Power List by The Ophthalmologist. She is also consistently featured in Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists worldwide.
Dr. Athiya Agarwal shared her excitement, stating,
“I am honoured to receive this recognition. It highlights the importance of continuous learning and sharing knowledge to improve patient outcomes. I am especially proud to represent the growing leadership of women in ophthalmology on the global stage. Platforms like these encourage us to keep innovating and refining techniques that can make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.”
Expressing her happiness over the award, Dr. Soosan Jacob Agarsaid,
”I am truly honoured to be recognized on a global platform like ASCRS. This award is a reflection of the collective efforts of my mentors, colleagues, and patients who inspire me daily. Forums like these foster innovation and collaboration, allowing us to refine surgical techniques and provide enhanced care to patients worldwide. The opportunity to share ideas and learn from peers globally is essential for advancing ophthalmology. This recognition fuels my commitment to further pushing the boundaries of research, innovation, and education in the field.”
