LAGATAR24 NETWORK
Ranchi, Dec 24: A scientific seminar cum Christmas get-together to discuss eye diseases was organised here on Saturday under the joint aegis of Ranchi Ophthalmic Forum and Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, RIMS. The seminar saw the participation of over 100 ophthalmologists in the state.
Dr Bharti Kashyap, secretary, Ranchi Ophthalmic Forum, coordinator of this scientific seminar cum Christmas meeting, started the programme with a welcome speech.
The guest speakers in this seminar were Professor Dr Rajesh Sinha from New Delhi AIIMS; Dr Prashant Bawankule, Retina Surgeon, Nagpur; and Dr Sunita Dubey, Glaucoma Specialist, Shroff Eye Hospital, New Delhi. Professor Rajesh Sinha explained in detail about the necessary tests to be done before cataract surgery and refractive surgery in corneal disease in the seminar.
Surgeon Dr Prashant Bawankule shared a presentation on the importance of OCT tests in correct diagnosis of retinal diseases while Dr Sunita Dubey introduced new techniques of Glaucoma Surgery, Tube Implant Surgery, and MIGS surgery.
Dr Nidhi Gadkar Kashyap, Cornea Surgeon, Kashyap Memorial Eye Hospital presented complex surgical methods of corneal transplantation through video. During the seminar, Dr Bharti Kashyap said that after the seminar all the eye doctors distributed Christmas cakes.
Dr Bawankule further informed the situations in which someone should get their retina checked. He said that if someone experiences disturbances in vision and notices or flashes of light moving around; difficulty focusing on a specific object in the field of vision or experience blurriness when focusing on a single object; diabetes / hypertension can lead to retinal problems like diabetic retinopathy which is one of the major causes of blindness; night blindness and having trouble seeing clearly at night; and blurred vision, which is a loss of acuity, causing objects to appear blurry and hazy; they should get their retinas checked.
He added that retinal diseases are the leading cause of blindness and irreversible loss of vision in adults not only in India but across the world. “Retinal disorders can be caused by aging, diabetes or other diseases, trauma to the eye, or family history,” he added.
The doctor further stated that 7-10 percent of young diabetic patients have the problem of diabetic retinopathy. “If there is no immediate treatment, there is a danger of loss of eyesight. The length of time it takes someone to develop diabetic retinopathy can vary depending on genetic profile and glycemic control.”
Furthermore, about 30-40 percent of the people in India, take time before going to doctors. Only 11 percent of patients with diabetic retinopathy actually save their eyesight.
Dr Rajesh Sinha said that in cases of Keratoconus disease, the cornea becomes thin and emerges outward in the shape of a cone. As a result of this, the vision becomes blurred. The eyes become extremely sensitive to light and glare.
He added that Keratoconus occurs in approximately one in 2,000 individuals; most commonly in people between the ages of 10 and 25. Keratoconus can be easily detected at an early stage by examination with Pentacam and can be cured by laser treatment with C3R machine, however, if the condition worsens, a cornea transplant is done.
Dr Sunita Dubey said that Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide. In 2013, the number of people suffering from glaucoma was more than 60 million, which is expected to increase to more than 110 million in 2040.
In glaucoma, the pressure of the eye often increases, due to which the vein of the eye can be damaged forever. Once the eyesight is lost due to cataract, it cannot be reversed, hence it is very important to prevent it by checking it regularly at the right time. In the initial period, no symptoms are detected by the patient, due to which 90 percent of the patients come to the doctor after losing maximum sight.
The doctor further added that patients who are above 40 years of age, have diabetes, and have excessively powered glasses, have had an eye injury, have taken steroids for a long time due to any reason, or have a family history of glaucoma need to get their eyes checked regularly by an ophthalmologist. The doctor will conduct mandatory tests such as measuring the eye pressure, examining the vein of the eye, visual field test, O.C.T scan after detecting the disease and prescribing the appropriate treatment.
She added that initial treatment consists of eye drops, the regular use of which is necessary to prevent further progression of the disease. If symptoms do not stop with medication, surgery may be required.
Furthermore, explaining the surgery performed, she said that modern methods allow the surgery to be performed through smaller incisions and without stitches. This is called minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and it is safe for the eyes and beneficial in the early stages of glaucoma.
“Modern tube implants are also done in some difficult situations. There is only one way to prevent Glaucoma – to detect it in the initial condition, start the right treatment and get regular check-up from the eye doctor,” she added.
