About the department
Coimbatore Medical College, a distinguished institution in Tamil Nadu, houses a vibrant Department of Anatomy renowned for its cutting-edge facilities and commitment to medical education. The department boasts a spacious dissection hall, a well-equipped histology laboratory, and a unique museum showcasing rare dry and wet specimens. Actively engaging in academic and community initiatives, it hosts an annual CME for Anatomy Day, featuring Gross Anatomy posters and Histology presentations, while also organizing rallies to raise awareness about voluntary body donation. With a dedicated team comprising one professor (HOD in-charge), two associate professors, and five assistant professors, the department fosters excellence in teaching, research, and public service, solidifying its role as a cornerstone of medical learning.
Email-Id: [email protected]
HOD Desk

Dr. P. Santhi, MBBS, MS
Dr. P. Santhi, MBBS, MS (Ophthalmology), leads the Department of Ophthalmology with distinction. With over two decades of experience, she has held pivotal roles, including Junior Resident at Madurai Medical College, Assistant Professor at Coimbatore and Kilpauk Medical Colleges, and Associate Professor at Kilpauk, Erode, and Madras Medical Colleges. Since January 2024, she has served as Professor and Head at CMC, overseeing critical portfolios such as the Eye Bank, Retina Clinic, and major surgeries like cataract and vitreoretinal procedures. Dr. Santhi is also a Medical Board Member, Unique Disability ID (UDID) in-charge, and CMC Eye Bank in-charge, reflecting her commitment to advancing ophthalmic care and education.
Faculties

C. Hannah Ueno
Assistant Professor
Thomas Fred
Associate Professor
Jennifer Aarons
Professor of Art
Michael McGarvey
Professor of LiteratureCourse Handling
MBBS
Undergraduate Ophthalmology
MS
Ophthalmology (Postgraduate)
Research and Publications
The Department of Ophthalmology is actively engaged in cutting-edge research, addressing critical areas in eye care. Current projects include:
Assessment of ocular symptoms and visual discomfort among night drivers exposed to high beam light.
Comparative study of A-scan biometric values using contact and immersion techniques.
OCT changes in alcoholics at a tertiary care center.
Evaluation of cup-to-disc ratio in anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) patients.
Measurement of changes in angle structure by Anterion before and after YAG peripheral iridotomy in anatomical narrow angle cases.
Investigation of visual disabilities and ocular disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder.
Case report on pancytopenia presenting as subhyaloid hemorrhage.
Case report on lacrimal gland oncocytoma.
Case report on bilateral exudative retinal detachment.
Study on ocular surface abnormalities comparing benzalkonium-preserved dorzolamide versus plain dorzolamide.
Observational study on the etiology and outcomes of sudden bilateral vision loss.
Observational study on the etiology of papilledema in a tertiary care center.
Comparison of ocular biometry and refractive outcomes between Anterion and IOL Master.
P. Raja and A. R. Anbarasi, “A study about prevalence of fundus changes in pregnancy induced hypertension & its correlation with blood pressure & haematological parameters,” 2021.
T. S. and A. R. Anbarasi, “Analytical study on dry eye epidemiology, etiology, associated with duration of illness and in response with treatment,” 2021.
Parkavi and Thaiyalnayagi, “A comparative study of foveal thickness in age matched normal persons and diabetics without retinopathy,” 2021.
Prathiba, S. Priyadharshni, and C. Jeevakala, “An analytical study of epidemiological & clinical profile of ROCM in a tertiary care centre,” 2022.
G. Prathiba and C. Jeevakala, “An analytical study of etiology, clinical course & visual outcome of isolated corneal injuries in a tertiary care centre,” 2022.
Rajeshwari, A. Joesh, and J. Saravanan, “Retinal manifestations of ROCM in post COVID patients,” 2022.
Rajeshwari and C. Jeevakala, “A clinical study on ocular manifestation in type I diabetes mellitus patients attending tertiary care centre,” 2022.
Ramya, Anbarsi, and C. Jeevakala, “A clinical profile of ocular manifestation of thyroid disorders in a tertiary care centre,” 2022.
Subiksha, J. Saravanan, and Thangerani, “A comparative study of central foveal thickness in diabetics without retinopathy vs non-diabetics using OCT,” 2023.
Sethulakshmi, S. Priyadharshni, and Thangerani, “A study on relevance of NCT in mass screening of IOP in a tertiary care centre,” 2023.
Sethulakshmi and Thangerani, “A study on visual outcome following iris claw lens implantation in aphakic patients,” 2023.
Ragasudha and Thangerani, “An observational study on association of various risk factors in ROP in a tertiary care centre,” 2023.
Subiksha, S. Priyadharshni, and Thangerani, “A comparative study of RNFL in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma vs POAG using OCT,” 2024.
Vinothini, Malligai, and Thangerani, “Awareness of eye donation in patients attending eye OPD,” 2024.
Divyaa, Nirmal Kumar, and C. Jeevakala, “Etiology, clinical presentation, and visual prognosis of blunt trauma in young adults,” 2024.
Aarthy, Backyalakshmi, and C. Jeevakala, “Incidents of posterior segment involvement in autoimmune diseases,” 2024.
Achievments
The department takes pride in the accomplishments of its faculty and students over the past five years:
Best Doctor Awards received by Dr. C. Jeevakala, Dr. J. Saravanan, and Dr. S. Priyadharshni for their exemplary contributions to ophthalmic care and education.
Paper and poster presentations at the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association (TNOA) conference.
Participation in Oculofest, showcasing innovative projects and research.
Success in Diabetic Retinopathy Quiz, Glaucoma Quiz, and Retina Quiz competitions.
Outstanding performances in Just a Minute (JAM) presentations at the Coimbatore Ophthalmic Society meet.
Events and Services
The Department of Ophthalmology has organized several impactful academic events over the past five years to foster learning and collaboration:
Glaucoma CME
Retina CME
Glaucoma Quiz
Retina Quiz
Eye Donation Fortnight
Glaucoma Week
These events have provided platforms for knowledge exchange, skill enhancement, and raising awareness about critical eye health issues.
The department is deeply committed to serving the public through a wide array of services, ensuring accessible and high-quality eye care:
Outpatient Services: Handling an average of 200 patients daily for consultations and diagnostics.
Inpatient Services: Managing a 60-bed ward for comprehensive care.
Glass Prescription: Providing accurate vision correction solutions.
Ocular Investigations: Utilizing advanced tools like Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT), B-scan, A-scan, Humphrey Field Analyser, Anterion, and refraction.
Major Surgeries: Performing cataract, glaucoma, intravitreal injections, vitreoretinal surgeries, keratoplasty, and pterygium procedures.
Minor Surgeries: Conducting chalazion excision, cyst excision, globe rupture repair, and tarsorrhaphy.
Day Care Services: Offering pan-retinal photocoagulation, Nd:YAG peripheral iridotomy, YAG capsulotomy, foreign body removal, and posterior subtenon injections.
Referrals: Collaborating with other departments for integrated patient care.
Cornea Retrieval and Eye Banking: Supporting vision restoration through cornea transplantation.
Outreach Eye Camps: Extending eye care services to underserved communities.
Disability and Fitness Certificates: Issuing eye fitness and disability certificates to support public welfare.