Dr. Agarwal’s Institute of Optometry joins hands with VIT Chennai to advance AI-Driven eye care and research

Dr. Agarwal’s Institute of Optometry (DAIO), a premier institution dedicated to excellence in eye care education, has signed an MoU with VIT Chennai to foster collaboration that aims at integrating artificial intelligence into optometry education and research, with a focus on developing next-generation diagnostic tools, enhancing clinical training, and fostering innovation in eye care solutions.

The MoU was signed between Dr. D. Karpagam, Dean, DAIO, and Dr. T. Thyagarajan, Pro Vice-Chancellor of VIT Chennai. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of senior dignitaries, faculty members, and representatives from both the institutions.

As per the MoU, the students of both the institutions will collaborate on research, publish joint interdisciplinary studies, and develop prototypes of AI-powered solutions to transform eye care delivery and education. DAIO will offer VIT students from the disciplines such as Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence, besides Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, and Mechatronics, the exposure to real-world challenges in the eye care sector. It will leverage its research capabilities to support joint PoC projects on emerging technologies, providing expert guidance on product development, helping convert research ideas into commercially viable innovations.

In her comments, Dr. Karpagam, Dean - Dr Agarwal’s Institute of Optometry (DAIO) said, “At Dr. Agarwal’s Institute of Optometry, we strongly believe in the power of cross-disciplinary research. As an institution deeply rooted in healthcare, we understand the real problems that exist in the eye care sector—but we also recognise that we lack the engineering expertise needed to build innovative solutions. That’s why we are excited to partner with VIT and collaborate with their brilliant engineering students and research scholars. This initiative is expected to benefit over 200 optometry students at DAIO and an equal number of students from VIT, giving them the opportunity to work on high-impact, real-world eye-care projects. These efforts will be guided by a joint team of faculty from both institutions. As we move forward, we will also evolve clear strategies for commercialisation, innovation pipelines, and revenue sharing to ensure the long-term impact of our work.”

She added that cross-disciplinary partnerships can drive meaningful progress in eye care. Further they will offer students hands-on experience with meaningful and socially relevant problems, thus broadening their academic learning and enhancing their employability. DAIO already has a similar partnership with Loyola-ICAM College of Engineering and Technology. The institute is also in talks with a few other technical education institutions to promote cross-discipline research in eyecare.

DAIO is a premier academic and clinical training institute under the globally renowned Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals. It offers Bachelors and Masters in Optometry. Admissions for the academic year 2025–26 are now open. Aspiring students who wish to build a rewarding career in eye care are encouraged to apply and become part of a transformative learning experience that blends academic excellence with real-world exposure and cutting-edge research opportunities.