
Pune study finds special lens implants can help patients who can't get LASIK
Pune: A 35-year-old man from US with -3 myopia, who couldn't undergo LASIK due to thin corneas and other conditions, recently underwent an advanced surgical procedure in Pune to fix his eyesight.
Doctors said the patient went through an Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) procedure, which involves surgically placing flexible lenses on the eye to correct vision problems such as myopia. His successful treatment was mentioned in a research paper on the technique by his doctors, who said it can be safely extended to people deemed unfit for LASIK.
"This patient's thin cornea along with low myopia meant LASIK was out of the question," said Dr Vardhaman Kankariya, director of Asian Eye Hospital and Laser Institute and the lead investigator of the research.
"He wanted to completely rid himself of his glasses so we went for what's known as EVO ICL technology, found to be effective in over 300 people with low to moderate myopia," Dr Kankariya said, adding that the lenses were earlier used to treat only high or very high myopia.
"But our study showed the lenses had significant promise in patients with lower myopia as well," he said.
Low myopia or patients with a 'glasses number' of less than -6 are sometimes rejected for LASIK due to thin corneas, keratoconus or severe dry eyes.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed!
IC Markets
Start Now
Undo
Such patients will need a pair of glasses for life. But the study, the doctors said, found that ICL implants helped these people ditch spectacles.
Dr Kankariya said: "We evaluated patients with mild to moderate myopia (up to -6 diopters) and with unsuitable corneas for LASIK. All 361 evaluated patients were successfully treated with ICL implants, offering them spectacle-free vision. Our study has been peer reviewed and earned the 'Best Research Paper Award' at the Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) annual conference that was held in Delhi in April.
"
The ICL procedure involves placing a thin, flexible, biocompatible lens in front of the eye's natural lens. Unlike LASIK, ICL does not require corneal thinning, does not induce dry eyes and is fully reversible, a feature the doctors said made it an ideal alternative for patients with borderline corneal parameters.
Dr Shirin Sonvane, presenting author of the study, said: "The procedure takes 5 minutes, is painless and does not require anesthesia.
This study gives hope to many myopia patients who earlier had no option but to depend on glasses or contact lenses."
Dr Viraj Padwal, a contributor to the study said: "Traditionally, ICL was reserved for patients with high myopia, more than -8D, but this study demonstrated it is effective in lower myopia ranges as well."
Dr Harshul Tak, executive committee member of the Indian Intraocular and Refractive Society said nearly 10% of those applying for LASIK are rejected due to multiple reasons.
"But this study on ICL implants, for LASIK-rejected patients with low myopia, is good research. There have been very few reports of the ICL procedure on such patients in the past. This is the largest study in the world on such patients, making it a valuable reference for ophthalmologists globally," Dr Tak said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
James Webb Space Telescope reveals first exoplanet with 'sand rain' and a growing 'sandcastle' companion, redefining planetary evolution
Source: NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has discovered something incredible. A far-off planetary system with gas giants that are packed with coarse silica, which is a space sand. The YSES-1 system , which surrounds a young star 300 light-years from Earth, consists of two planets, YSES-1 b and YSES-1 c, both of which have atmospheric sand clouds. The system is a mere 16.7 million years old, an infant in cosmic age that presents scientists with the unusual chance to watch planet formation and development unfold in real-time. These results may redefine the knowledge of the formation and evolution of planets, including those within our own solar system, over billions of years. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope detects 'sand clouds' made of silicates According to the study, silicate clouds, or sand clouds, consist of mineral grains such as pyroxene and forsterite, iron-containing compounds found in rocky planets and meteorites. They are more than a novelty in the atmospheres of exoplanets; they contain important clues about the chemistry and atmosphere of far-off worlds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo According to Italy's National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) scientist Valentina D'Orazi, the silicates seen in these planets go through sublimation and condensation cycles just like water on Earth. These active cycles help the sand clouds stay suspended in the air, indicating sophisticated atmospheric transport and formation processes. JWST reveals silicates in both exoplanet atmospheres and formation disks Of the two gas giants, YSES-1 b is a still-growing planet that could someday be a large Jupiter analogue. It is encircled by a flattened cloud of material, a circumplanetary disk; a phenomenon common around young planet. The disk holds the planet-building blocks of its atmosphere, silicates, which fuel its growth. YSES-1 c, however, is already enormous, around 14 times as massive as Jupiter. Its atmosphere has a reddish color due to suspended silica, which sometimes rains down as sandy rain to the planet's center. This is the first direct detection of silicates not only in an exoplanet atmosphere but also in a circumplanetary disk. That makes this observation historic and also pivotal to the study of planetary science. How JWST made the discovery possible The James Webb Space Telescope was able to image these subtle details due to the extended orbits of the planets around their parent star. These were distances ranging from five to ten times the distance between the Sun and Neptune, and they enabled astronomers to view the planets without the blinding light of the star. With its sophisticated infrared equipment, JWST gathered high-resolution spectral information that, on analysis, showed the presence of silicate particles and their composition. Although such direct observation remains possible only for a few exoplanets at this time, it highlights JWST's unparalleled capability to observe in detail the atmospheres and environments of other worlds. JWST insights reveal how Jupiter and Saturn may have taken shape One of the most intriguing things about this discovery is what it implies about the early history of our own solar system. By looking at young exoplanets such as YSES-1 b and c, astronomers can deduce how gas giants such as Jupiter and Saturn might have formed and developed. "Examining these planets is like peeking into the history of our own planetary back yard," D'Orazi explained. "It confirms that young exoplanet atmospheres and the disks around them are key drivers of their final atmosphere composition." The researchers also highlighted the need for detailed atmospheric models to interpret the JWST's excellent data pointing to the telescope's continued role in pushing the frontiers of planetary science and exoplanet study. These historic findings were released on June 10 in the journal Nature and highlighted the same day during the 246th American Astronomical Society meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Also Read | Shubhanshu Shukla to take tardigrades on ISS mission; what are they and why scientists are fascinated by eight-legged 'water bears'


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Atlantic's largest Great White Shark resurfaces near US coastline after months
Source: New York Post A record-breaking Great White Shark named Contender is making headlines as it journeys along the US East Coast, surfacing near a popular vacation region. Measuring an astonishing 14 feet in length and weighing approximately 1,653 pounds, Contender is the largest Great White Shark ever tagged in the Atlantic Ocean. According to the reports, the Great White Shark was first tracked in January 2025 by OCEARCH, a nonprofit research organisation dedicated to marine research. This massive predator was tagged off the Florida-Georgia coast, near Jacksonville. According to the New York Post reports, after nearly a month without signal, the shark recently resurfaced off Pamlico Sound in North Carolina, sending waves of excitement through the scientific community and ocean enthusiasts alike. Contender's movements mark a vital feeding stop during his seasonal migration northward, according to what the experts say. 14-foot Great White Shark Contender reappears after vanishing The Great White Shark nicknamed as Contender, is a 14-foot, 1,653-pound predator that was first tagged in January 2025 by OCEARCH, a leading nonprofit research organisation focused on large marine species. The shark was located roughly 45 miles off the Florida-Georgia coast, near Jacksonville. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo After disappearing from trackers for almost a month, Contender resurfaced northward off Pamlico Sound in North Carolina. The absence was due to how its tracker functions; it only transmits location data when the dorsal fin breaks the surface of the water, making updates sporadic. Contender is estimated to be about 30 years old, placing it among the oldest documented Great White Sharks currently being monitored. According to Dr. Harley Newton, OCEARCH's chief scientist and veterinarian based in Ponte Vedra, Florida, this movement aligns with known migratory behaviour. North Carolina waters serve as key feeding stop for migrating great whites This deviation to North Carolina's coastal waters is believed to be a crucial feeding period. Experts suggest that this region offers an abundance of food that allows sharks like Contender to build energy reserves in preparation for a northward journey that could span over 1,000 miles. Dr. Newton added, 'We often observe tagged sharks lingering off the Outer Banks before continuing their migration. The availability of prey makes this area an important pre-departure refuelling site. ' How OCEARCH tags and tracks sharks The tagging process for Contender was extensive and carefully executed. Researchers captured the shark alongside their specialised research vessel, collected biological samples for further analysis, and fitted a SPOT (Smart Position or Temperature Transmitting) satellite tag to its dorsal fin. This SPOT tag allows real-time GPS tracking when the shark surfaces. Both scientists and the public can follow its movements through OCEARCH's Global Shark Tracker, an open-access digital platform. Role of sharks in marine conservation Data collected from Contender and other sharks play a vital role in marine conservation. By studying their migratory routes and behaviours, researchers can identify critical habitats that need protection. Great white sharks are apex predators and play an essential role in balancing marine ecosystems by regulating prey populations. However, they face growing threats from overfishing, habitat degradation, and the ongoing impacts of climate change. Also Read | US man finds snake giving 'saucy looks' from dashboard; Mazda's hilarious 'Try Beyoncé' reply goes viral


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Former Miss Universe Australia Erin McNaught faces her toughest role as a mother after devastating news about her son
Australian model and TV presenter Erin McNaught has revealed that her nine-month-old son, Obi Brooks Kotaras, has been diagnosed with a large brain tumour . The 43-year-old actress shared the news on Instagram alongside partner Stasi Kotaras , known professionally as Stace Cadet, on Thursday, June 12. Obi, born in October 2024, began showing worrying symptoms recently. His parents noticed he struggled to eat, sleep, and hold his head upright. They promptly took him for an MRI at Queensland Children's Hospital . A neurosurgeon confirmed the scary diagnosis: a large tumour on the right side of Obi's brain. 'We are absolutely shattered,' McNaught wrote, describing the past few days as the 'hardest.' Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Honor a Forgotten Father Today HelpAge India Donate Now Undo She praised the hospital's care and said the family remains hopeful the tumour can be removed and that Obi can recover fully. She added that they are 'so lucky' to have family and friends supporting them through the journey ahead. Who is Erin McNaught? Live Events Born in Canberra in May 1982, Erin McNaught first rose to fame as Miss Universe Australia in 2006. She represented Australia at the global pageant before launching a career in modelling and television. She has also worked as an actress, most notably on the soap opera Neighbours (1985), The Other Guy (2017), and Drunk History: Australia (2020), and as a presenter for MTV's Hot30 Countdown. McNaught has three sons. Her oldest two, Evander (born December 2014) and Ennio (born 2017), are from her previous marriage to British musician Elliot John Gleave, known as Example. In early 2007, McNaught began dating rugby league player Braith Anasta but left due to time constraints from filming Neighbours. After a two-year relationship with Nathan Jolliffe, she became engaged to musician 'Example' in November 2012, marrying him on 18 May 2013. They welcomed their first child, Evander, on 21 December 2014. McNaught suffered a miscarriage in December 2016 and had their second child, Ennio, in 2017. In October 2022, they announced their separation after 11 years together. In 2023, she began a relationship with music producer Stasi Kotaras. Less than a year later, their son Obi was born in October 2024.