Pooja M. Khamar

About Pooja M. Khamar

What major industry/global trends are catching your attention right now?

Ophthalmology is undergoing a paradigm shift driven by advancements in gene therapy, personalized medicine, and artificial intelligence (AI).

Gene therapy. Innovations like CRISPR and viral vector-based gene delivery are revolutionizing the treatment of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs), such as Leber’s congenital amaurosis, Stargardt’s disease, and retinitis pigmentosa. Beyond IRDs, gene therapy is now being explored for corneal and optic nerve disorders. At Narayana Nethralaya – GROW Lab, we are pioneering gene therapy for keratoconus, a breakthrough that could redefine corneal disease management. By making these therapies more accessible and affordable, we aim to broaden their reach and reduce the burden of keratoconus worldwide.

Personalized medicine. The era of precision medicine is transforming ophthalmic care by tailoring treatments based on an individual's genetic, molecular, and biomechanical profile. The development of point-of-care diagnostic kits is enabling real-time biomarker detection, facilitating early intervention and customized treatment—particularly in keratoconus, dry eye disease, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

Artificial intelligence. AI is revolutionizing ophthalmology, from automated disease detection to AI-assisted decision-making in surgery and disease management. Predictive models are enhancing many diseases, including ectasia risk assessment and optimizing personalized surgical planning. As AI technology advances, it will continue to drive greater diagnostic accuracy, streamlined treatment strategies, and improved global access to quality eye care. Collaborating with the IBMS team at Narayana Nethralaya on AcusimX – an AI-powered model predicting post-refractive surgery outcomes and ectasia risk – and exploring AI’s role in biomarker detection has deepened my understanding of its potential in medical care. AI can significantly enhance decision-making and patient outcomes, but its application in clinical practice must be approached with caution. While AI-driven insights are invaluable, they should complement – not replace – clinical judgment. Ensuring ethical AI use, addressing biases in datasets, and maintaining human oversight are crucial for responsibly integrating AI into patient care.

To accelerate personalized medicine, we must prioritize translational research and encourage industry collaboration in developing advanced imaging techniques and molecular biomarkers. This synergy will bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications, fast-tracking precision medicine for better patient outcomes.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Always sing for your soul.