Everyday our eyes are constantly exposed to thousands of microbes, which lodge on the outer surface of the eyes and the delicate linings that cover the eyeball. These microscopic organisms can invade the eyeball or enter into the eye from infection in the blood stream to cause sight-threatening diseases.

Ocular microbiology is the study of microbial agents associated with infectious diseases of the eye and of the body’s response to these infections. Infectious organisms causing diseases are bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites.

Ocular immunology is the study of the defense mechanisms involved in preventing the development of infection in the eye.

The centre is headed by Dr. H.N. Madhavan, the Director of Microbiology assisted by Dr. K. Lily Therese (HOD & Professor), Dr. J. Malathi (Reader), Dr. B. Mahalakshmi (Lecturer), 3 Research Fellows, 4 Junior Scientist, 1 Junior Executive, 5 Laboratory Technologists and 2 Secretaries. The activities of the centre are carried out in 6 sections of microbiology – Bacteriology, Immunology, Mycology, Virology, Mycobacteriology and Molecular microbiology.

Ongoing Projects: 4