OUTREACH TEAMS
Dr. Snehal Bavaskar
Faculty
Dr. Bavaskar specializes in the management of Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), with active involvement in screening and treatment including laser therapy and intravitreal injections. Her research interests include pediatric retinal disorders, oncology, advanced imaging, and AI-assisted diagnostics. She has to her credit multiple publications in peer reviewed journals.
Dr. Sushma Jayanna
Faculty
Dr. Jayanna has extensive experience as a pediatric retina surgeon, leading ROP services across India, Liberia, and Bhutan. Her clinical and research interests include ROP, imaging and pediatric retinal surgeries. Dr. Jayanna has several publications to her credit, including an atlas titled ‘Ultrawide Field Photo Atlas of ROP’. She received prestigious awards from APVRS in 2019 and 2023.
Dr. Anand Vinekar
Founder & Program Director
Dr. Anand Vinekar is a distinguished ophthalmologist renowned for his pioneering work in pediatric retinal care and telemedicine. As the Founder and Program Director of KIDROP (Karnataka Internet-assisted Diagnosis of Retinopathy of Prematurity), he has been instrumental in developing one of the world’s most extensive tele-ROP initiatives, significantly enhancing access to ROP screening and treatment in underserved regions of India.
As Head of the Department of Pediatric Retina at Narayana Nethralaya Eye Institute in Bangalore, Dr. Vinekar has led efforts to screen over 300,000 infants and has treated 5200 infants across more than 185 SNCUs. His innovative approach, which includes training non-physician personnel in wide-field retinal imaging, has been recognized as a model for middle-income countries by organizations such as the CDC and UNDP.
He graduated from St. John’s Medical College with a record 17 gold medals. He earned his MS in Ophthalmology from PGIMER, Chandigarh, where he received the Kataria Gold Medal from the then Prime Minister of India. Furthering his expertise, he completed fellowships in pediatric retina in the USA, obtained the FRCS from Glasgow, and earned a PhD from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics (Gold Medal) from the National Law School of India University.
With over two decades of experience, Dr. Vinekar has contributed extensively to research, authoring over 115 publications and several textbook chapters. He is a member of the National Task Force for ROP and was a Member of the ICROP 3 Classification Committee. His work has garnered numerous accolades, including the Innovator Award from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, and recognition as one of the top ROP experts worldwide by ExpertScape.
OUR TEAM
Our team comprises passionate ophthalmologists, skilled technicians, dedicated researchers, and compassionate healthcare workers, all driven by a single mission: to save sight and change lives. Each member contributes uniquely to our shared goal, working tirelessly on the front lines and behind the scenes, united in the fight against childhood blindness.
Mr. Praveen I M
National Program Manager
Mr. Praveen has been an integral part of the KIDROP program since its inception, serving as its Project Manager. As the program has grown, his role now includes coordination across all KIDROP zones nationwide and he manages key international collaborations.
Mr. Krishnan A N
National Manager
Mr. Krishnan is the lead imager at KIDROP, bringing nearly two decades of expertise in retinal imaging. He heads the imaging training component of the program, ensuring high standards of skill and consistency across the team.