Educational Qualifications
Dr. Anna Elias graduated from Christian Medical College, Vellore, with an MBBS degree in 1987, where she received the Third Rank Merit Award. She also earned the Second Certificate of Honour in General Medicine and Surgery. She completed DNB in Ophthalmology from Medical Trust Hospital in 1995. In 2022, she acquired a Post-Graduate Diploma in Bioethics, Human Rights, and Health Law from the University of Porto, Portugal, under an international program by the International Chair in Bioethics.
Specialisation
As a comprehensive ophthalmologist, she has expertise in various aspects of eye care, with special interests in glaucoma and pediatric ophthalmology. She is also skilled in managing low vision cases and contributes significantly to the institutional ethics and optometry education.
Work Experience
She has been a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist at Giridhar Eye Institute, Kochi, since 1997, with over 27 years of experience. In addition, she serves as an Assistant Professor at the Susruta School of Optometry and Visual Sciences, teaching third-year optometry students about eye diseases. She has been involved in community ophthalmology and school screening programmes. Over the years, she has held various roles such as Organizing Secretary for workshops, an executive member of the Cochin Ophthalmic Club, and currently serves as the Member Secretary of the Institutional Ethics Committee at GEI.
Publications
1. Risk factors in patients with Macular Telangiectasia 2A in an Asian population – a case control study. Published in Indian Journal of Ophthalmology 2017; 65:830-4 .
2. A 10 year study of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy-Recurrence Rate and Factors affecting recurrence: Published in World Journal of Retina and Vitreous (September-December 2011).
3. Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease – Clinical Course, Therapy, Complications and Prognostic Factors : Published in the World Journal of Retina and Vitreous. (May-August 2012)
4. “Diagnostic Accuracy of Macular Ganglion Cell Layer Thickness measured by Spectralis. SD-OCT versus Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness in discriminating Normal from Glaucomatous Eyes”, Scientific paper..was accepted as a poster for the ARVO Meet at Baltimore 2020.
The abstract was published in the IOVS Journal of Abstracts for the ARVO 2020 meet,June issue. [IOVS] Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, June 2020, Vol 61, 3903]
5. Ethambutol induced optic neuropathy: A case series Anna Elias, R Neena, A Giridhar.Kerala Journal of Ophthalmology 2022; 34:55-61(Volume 34. Issue 1. January – April 2022, Pg 55-61)
Achievements
Her contributions to the field have earned her several accolades, including the Professional Excellence Award in 2004 from Indian Jaycees for work in community ophthalmology. She won the Best Paper Award in the Anterior Segment category at the Drishti 2008 conference and received the Rema Mohan Award for research on diabetic retinopathy at the AIOS conference in 2012. Additionally, she secured the Best Paper Award in the Hyde Park session at AIOS 2023, and one of her scientific papers was acknowledged by the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology in 2022. She has been a thesis guide for DNB students. One of her students received the third prize for the young researcher’s award from the All India Ophthalmological Society.
Posts Held
. Appointed as reviewer of Journal article for IOVS – International Journal of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences – 15.03.2018
· Appointed as Assistant Professor at Susruta School of Optometry and Visual Sciences for conducting class for students of B.Sc. Optometry from October 2015.Taking classes from 2017 to 2022 and continuing
· Organizing Secretary for Workshop on Low Vision conducted by Giridhar Eye Institute on 06.03.2011 at IMA Hall.
· Executive Member of the Cochin Ophthalmic Club from 2012-2014.
· Member, Technical Advisory Committee, Clinical Research Board 2012 – Giridhar Eye Institute.
· Member Secretary of Institutional Ethics Committee, Giridhar Eye Institute 2020 onwards
· Evaluator for the Instruction course abstracts for AIOC 2021, Kolkata by All India Ophthalmological Society Scientific Committee.
