Egmore Eye Hospital

Has anyone ever told you about the “Madras Eye”? No, not some strange local affliction. I’m talking about a virus discovered at the Egmore Eye Hospital, right here in Chennai. The Egmore Eye Hospital, officially the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology and Government Ophthalmic Hospital, holds a fascinating place in medical history. Established in 1819 as the Madras Eye Infirmary, it’s the oldest eye hospital in Asia and the second oldest in the world, just after Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. Originally located in Royapettah, the hospital moved to a tram shed in Egmore in 1820. It finally settled at its current location on Marshall’s Road in 1884. Imagine, a hospital starting in a tram shed. The hospital’s early days saw the treatment of ailments like cataracts, various ophthalmias, and even night blindness. In the early 20th century, Lieutenant Colonel R.H. Elliot, superintendent from 1904 to 1913, made significant contributions. He developed the Elliot’s Trephine, a groundbreaking instrument for glaucoma surgery. The beautiful Lawley Ward, a heritage building, was also built during his time. Elliot’s successor, Lieutenant Colonel Kirkpatrick, founded the Elliot School of Ophthalmology in 1919. Later, the Elliot Ophthalmic Museum was opened, showcasing a remarkable collection of historical medical instruments, specimens, and even an 1829 painting of an affected eye. The museum is a treasure trove of ophthalmic history. Dr. Koman Nayar, the hospital’s first Indian superintendent, furthered its development. He invented the Iris Repositor. Then came Dr. R.E.S. Muthayya who established India’s first eye bank at the Egmore Eye Hospital in 1948. He even performed the country’s first corneal transplant here. So, back to the “Madras Eye”. It was Dr. Kirkpatrick who, during his tenure here, identified the adenovirus responsible for conjunctivitis. This virus became known as “Madras Eye,” a testament to the hospital’s role in ophthalmic discovery. The Egmore Eye Hospital stands as a testament to centuries of dedication to eye care, from humble beginnings in a tram shed to a renowned institution.