Medical Education & Events

Brief Summary

The Coimbatore Retina Meet (Dec 10, 2025, Hotel O’ by Tamara) brought together ophthalmologists and uveitis specialists to discuss retinal vasculitis and inflammatory retinal diseases, focusing on practical diagnosis and treatment strategies relevant to India.

Key Highlights

• Keynote Lecture (Dr. Rupesh Agarwal, Singapore):

  • Covered classification, causes (infectious vs autoimmune), and pathophysiology of retinal vasculitis

  • Emphasized multimodal imaging (FA, OCT, OCTA) for accurate diagnosis

  • Discussed treatment protocols:

    • Antimicrobials for infections

    • Steroids & immunosuppressants for inflammation

    • Biologics for resistant cases

  • Highlighted importance of early diagnosis and long-term monitoring

Case-Based Learning Sessions

Six case presentations focused on real-world challenges:

• IRVAN Syndrome: Rare condition with aneurysms and vasculitis; requires early laser + steroids

• Frosted Branch Angiitis: Severe vascular inflammation linked to infections/autoimmune causes

• Post-Fever Retinopathy: Diagnostic confusion after infections like dengue, COVID

• Uveitic Macular Edema: Managing resistant cases using steroids, anti-VEGF & combination therapy

• Refractory Uveitis Case: Importance of re-evaluating diagnosis (including lymphoma)

• Ranibizumab Biosimilar: Effective, cost-friendly option for macular edema & neovascularization

Panel Discussion Insights

• Strong focus on balancing cost vs advanced care in Indian settings

• Importance of early aggressive treatment in severe cases

• Growing role of:

  • Biologics (anti-TNF, IL-6)

  • Advanced imaging (OCTA)

  • Biosimilars for affordability

Key Takeaways

• Accurate diagnosis requires systematic evaluation + imaging

• Treatment must be cause-specific and stepwise

• Refractory cases need rethinking diagnosis

• Cost-effective options (biosimilars) are crucial in India

• Collaboration improves outcomes in complex uveitis cases