Latest news with #AshvinAgarwal
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Overnight lenses that reshape cornea could slow down myopia progression
Chennai: A new type of contact lens that can be worn overnight to help reshape the cornea and slow the eye's elongation, allowing people with myopia, or near-sightedness, to see without glasses or lenses during the day, will be tested in 200 children at city-based Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital for at least one and a half years, along with scientists from Japan. Myopia is a growing epidemic, afflicting the eyes of children, said the hospital's Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Ashvin Agarwal. People with myopia can see close-up objects clearly, but to read blackboards, engage in cycling, driving, or recognising the faces of people down the road, they may need glasses. "From a prevalence of 4% in 1999 to 21% in 2019, myopia is expected to affect 40% of India's population by 2040 and touch close to 50% by 2050. We are trying to slow down the progression," he said. Similarly, digital eye strain now affects 50%-60% of children in India, driven by increased screen time. Orthokeratology lenses are gas-permeable, rigid contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea of your eye. "People wear these lenses while they are sleeping. When they wake up and remove these lenses, their cornea holds its new shape, allowing them to see clearly without the need for glasses or daytime contact lenses," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo In refractive errors, the cornea's shape is irregular, causing blurry vision. These lenses exert gentle hydraulic pressure on the tear film beneath the lens, which in turn reshapes the corneal cells, say experts. This temporary change in corneal curvature allows light to focus properly on the retina. Experts say they work like dental retainers that maintain the shape of teeth. "It must be worn every night. Our test will show who is benefiting from these glasses," he said. For the study, launched in Feb, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital has collaborated with Japan's Menicon Co Ltd for joint research on these lenses. This study will check the efficacy and safety of the orthokeratology lens for Indian children. "We aim to develop solutions and raise awareness about the treatment," said Menicon Co Ltd regional director (China and Asia-Oceania) Shunsuke Yamagishi. These lenses won't be available for sale until doctors evaluate the benefits and side effects. "If this is successful, it will offer freedom from glasses and eventually show us the path towards a cure for myopia," Dr Agarwal said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital partners with Japanese firm to research myopia control treatment
Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital has partnered with Menicon Co. Ltd, a Japan-based contact lens manufacturing company, to undertake research and development in myopia control treatment. They have started clinical studies in India using an orthokeratology lens that is worn overnight to improve vision, with the aim of checking its efficacy and safety for children in India. On Monday, Ashvin Agarwal, chief clinical officer, Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, and Shunsuke Yamagishi, regional director, China and Asia-Oceania International Business Head Office, Menicon Co. Ltd, signed a Memorandum of Understanding for joint research and development efforts to develop myopia control treatment, training ophthalmologists and optometrists, raising awareness on the treatment as well as expansion plans in India and neighbouring regions, according to a press release. Myopia cases have increased significantly in India from 4% in 1999 to 21% in 2019. It is expected to grow to 30% in the next five years, to 40% by 2040 and 48% by 2050, Dr. Ashvin said. One of the main aims of this tie-up is to reduce the incidence of myopia, he added. Backed by the Japanese government, they have initiated the study to explore effective strategies for controlling and mitigating vision-related issues. The study was launched by the Research and Development unit of the clinical board of the hospital. Orthokeratology lenses are custom-made and designed to gently reshape the cornea to correct myopia, the release said. The technology was to basically help patients at risk of myopia, such as those with a family history and those with the early stages of the condition, Dr. Ashvin said. With the growing challenges of myopia, this partnership marks a significant step towards tackling the issue, Mr. Yamagishi said. S.V. Chandrakumar, project director, State Programme Officer, Tamil Nadu State Blindness Control Society, took part.
The Hindu
04-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Conference to discuss advancements in retina care held in city
'RETICON 2025', a conference to discuss various advancements in retina care organised by Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, was held in the city on Sunday. Ashvin Agarwal, chief clinical officer, Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, said that, back in 2011, the conference was started as an initiative with an idea to spotlight advanced technology and foster discussions on retina care. 'Today in 'RETICON 2025', there is everything – from panel discussions to talks – to provide insights. It becomes important to highlight the issues [in the retina] and the advancements in treatment to not just current surgeons but also to budding retinal surgeons and young ophthalmologists. The conference is a cross pollination of ideas and discussions,' he said. Amar Agarwal, chairman, Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, says today in India, there are nearly two crore people with blindness and one of the biggest diseases in India is diabetes. 'Getting your eyes checked every six months should be a prerogative when you are diagnosed with diabetes. Because, even if diabetes is well-controlled in someone, he/she can get bleeding in the eye. But if we immediately get it treated, it can be solved easily,' he said. The conference focused on techniques, such as glued intraocular lens, scleral fixated techniques, and intravitreal injections, and also featured a wet-lab to provide practical training. Mohan Rajan, vice-president of All India Ophthalmological Society and chairman and medical director of Rajan Eye Care hospital, said: 'Such focus meetings are extremely important, useful, and informative.' Chennai North MP Kalanidhi Veeraswamy and Athiya Agarwal, director, Dr. Agarwals Group of Eye Hospitals, also spoke.
