Latest news with #EyeHospital
Arab News
21-07-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Eye hospital in Gaza reports 1,200 new cases of vision loss in July
LONDON: An eye hospital in Gaza reported on Monday nearly 1,200 new cases of complete or partial vision loss in July in the Palestinian coastal enclave as Israel continues its attacks and medical resources deplete. Dr. Abdel Salam Sabah, the director of the Eye Hospital in Gaza, reported that medical staff addressed nearly 1,200 new cases of complete or partial vision loss in Gaza City and the Al-Nasr neighborhood over the past two weeks. The hospital had previously recorded approximately 1,500 cases of total or partial blindness due to eye injuries, he said, while many others face progressive vision loss from untreated chronic illnesses. Dr. Sabah warned that 4,000 to 5,000 patients who regularly visited the hospital before the war in October 2023 are now without follow-up or treatment, putting them at serious risk of losing their sight. He added that severe malnutrition causes vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which increase the risk of vision impairment, particularly in patients with diabetes. Since March 2, 2025, Israeli forces have closed all border crossings with Gaza, greatly limiting the quantities of food and medical aid entering the enclave, which has led to a widespread famine. Since Israel's attack on Gaza in late 2023, there have been 58,895 Palestinian deaths, mainly among women and children, and 140,980 injuries.
BBC News
20-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Sunderland Eye Hospital staff 'can't wait' to move in
Staff at Sunderland Eye Infirmary have had their first glimpse inside the new specialist hospital prior to it opening next facility, being built on the former Vaux Brewery site, will house all the current clinical services offered from the almost 80-year-old centre on Queen Alexandra the internal fit-out in progress, some staff paid a visit to view the work in senior member said that they "can't wait" to be able to treat patients in the "fantastic new facility". In addition to clinical spaces, once finished, the new Eye Hospital will have rooms dedicated for wellbeing. These include baby-changing facilities, a cafe, and a quiet room and faith room. It will also have a dedicated children's area, with a waiting room for young patients and rooms tailored to their care. Dr Ajay Kotagiri, Clinical Director of Ophthalmology Services at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, said: "It was brilliant to visit the hospital site and amazing to see the actual space we will be working in from next summer. "The clinical areas are so spacious and well designed."We can't wait to be able to see and treat patients in this fantastic new facility." Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Shaping India's future: Unite against myopia
In recent times, many of us have encountered the term ' Progressive Myopia '. But what exactly is it? Progressive Myopia is a form of nearsightedness where the correction needed to clear vision increases by more than -0.5 dioptre within a year. This condition predominantly affects children and teenagers. The earlier Myopia develops, the faster it progresses. Consequently, children who develop Myopia early in life are more susceptible to Progressive Myopia and eventually high Myopia. "Vision screening in children is mandatory to detect, treat and prevent myopia at the earliest. Not all children complain about blurry vision; some assume the blurry vision to be the norm. All children from 3 years of age will need vision screening to be mandatory, even without any complaints, to rule out myopia and other refractive errors. Children born preterm or with birth-associated complications, squint will need vision screening even as early as 3 months of age." Dr Padma Priya G K, MBBS, DO, DNB, FPOS, FAICO Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmology Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai. Children represent the future of our nation. Ensuring their vision is well-cared for today will profoundly impact their well-being in the future, and by extension, the nation's prosperity. India, with its vast young population, must prioritise early detection and timely treatment of Myopia. "Myopia or Near-sightedness is an important cause of visual impairment in children. Increase in screen time and reduction in outdoor activity has accounted for global myopia rise. Half of the world population is predicted to be myopic by the year 2050. To detect, treat and prevent myopia progression, recognition of symptoms, regular eye examination, wearing correct power glasses, encouraging outdoor activities, and reduction in near activities like excessive screen use is necessary. The common myth that wearing glasses worsens myopia needs immediate elimination. Today, measures to control myopia progression include special glasses, contact lenses and eye drops. A country-wide myopia control strategy including both education and health sectors, government policy reforms, schools participation and parent awareness is a need of the hour." Dr. M. Muthumeena MBBS, MS, Pediatric Ophthalmology Narayan Nethralaya, Bangalore Myopia has become a global concern, with a significant rise in cases. It is estimated that by 2050, half of the world's population will be Myopic. According to a 2023 study, Myopia is the most prevalent refractive condition globally, affecting millions. The prevalence of Myopia in children varies across regions and countries, being notably high in urban East Asian countries, and India is not far behind. Studies indicate that over 40% of the younger Indian population is at risk of developing Myopia "India, now the world's most populous nation, has seen a sharp rise in myopia among children, driven by excessive screen time. Smartphones, laptops, and TVs have become a part of daily life, reducing outdoor play and increasing near-work. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated this trend. Blue light from digital devices, which has high energy and short wavelengths, is harmful, especially to children's eyes, which absorb more of it. Myopic children reportedly use twice as much smartphone data as their non-myopic peers. Studies show a doubling of myopia cases in Indian schoolchildren in the last decade. Early detection and outdoor activity are key preventive measures." Dr. Suma Ganesh Consultant in Paediatric Ophthalmology Dr Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital Myopia is not merely a simple refractive error but a vision-threatening disorder and has become a leading cause of blindness in Asia. High Myopia can lead to irreversible vision complications such as retinal detachment, cataract, glaucoma, and macular atrophy.(1) "Parents should ensure that young children get enough daylight exposure so that they develop good eyesight. Parents should also note that excessive reading, while being useful for acquiring knowledge and developing vocabulary, can also contribute to progressive myopia. Reading with adequate breaks and balancing with enough outdoor time will go a long way in preventing repeated increases in spectacle power." Dr Siddharth Kesarwani Pediatric Ophthalmologist JNR Eye Clinic, Mumbai Simple lifestyle interventions have shown promising results in delaying the onset of myopia in children. Encouraging outdoor activities for at least 1–2 hours a day has been linked to a lower risk of developing myopia, as natural light and distant focusing help reduce eye strain. Additionally, managing the duration of near work—such as reading, screen time, and using digital devices—by introducing regular breaks and maintaining proper posture can help ease the stress on young eyes. (2) These measures are easy to implement and can go a long way in supporting healthy visual development. "Myopia was mostly seen in teens a decade ago. But, in the post-COVID era, we are increasingly detecting myopia in very young children, as early as 2 or 3 years old. Since myopia is a progressive condition, these children are likely to end up with very high power and risk-related complications in future. I would like to caution all parents from exposing children to any screentime, even during mealtimes, in children younger than 5 years. Also, a comprehensive eye testing with cycloplegic refraction is mandatory for all preschool children to help detect "PRE-MYOPIA" and take necessary precautions or treatment to slow down or prevent progression to "frank myopia." Dr Sumita Muthu Senior Consultant Pediatric Ophthalmology Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore However, to create a lasting impact and significantly reduce the rising number of myopia cases, more coordinated and consistent efforts are needed. Parents and teachers must stay alert to early signs and encourage eye-friendly habits, while schools can integrate eye health awareness into daily routines. At a broader level, eye health organisations and healthcare providers should collaborate on awareness campaigns, routine vision screenings in schools, and accessible eye care services. Together, these efforts can ensure timely diagnosis, effective management, and improved visual outcomes for children across the country.(3) References : 1. World Health Organisation (WHO). The Impact of Myopia and High Myopia: Report of the Joint World Health Organisation–Brien Holden Vision Institute Global Scientific Meeting on Myopia, 2015. 2. Holden BA et al. (2016). Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology, 123(5):1036-1042. 3. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology (2023). Prevalence and Risk Factors of Myopia in Indian Schoolchildren: A Multicity Cross-sectional Study. Disclaimer : The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgments of the doctors/experts, and TIL does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. This should not be considered a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your treating physician for more details. This article has been produced on behalf of Sun Pharma by Times Internet's Spotlight team
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Understanding cataracts and the surgery to treat them
June is observed as Cataract Awareness Month. What is a cataract? Will everyone get it? At what age does one get it? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about cataract. A cataract is defined as the opacification of lens and/or its capsule. Normally, the human lens is transparent. With ageing, the normal transparency is lost and the lens become opaque: this is called cataract. In general, the aged population gets cataracts. Even a newborn can develop a cataract; however, the most common type is the senile cataract, amongst the older population. When do you intervene? Earlier, cataracts used to be removed in toto and a rigid intraocular lens (IOL) used to be placed inside the eye. Nowadays however, with advancements in technology, cataract surgeries are generally done as keyhole procedures. With a less then 3 mm incision, and using ultrasound energy, the cataracts are removed. Femto surgeries are now performed, which are blade-less and needle-less surgeries. A laser breaks the cataract into small pieces, which are then easily removed by phacoemulsification. Intraocular lens (IOLs) have also evolved considerably. From the rigid IOLs used earlier, we have come a long way. Now, we use foldable IOLs . Multiple varieties of foldable IOLs are available from monofocal and modified monofocal to extended depth of focus IOL, trifocal and toric IOLs. Depending on the patient's need, the type of IOL is decided upon and it is implanted post cataract removal. With the latest medical advances, the surgery has become more precise and gives excellent results. The surgical time has been reduced; it is a safe surgery and the patients recover very fast. They are able to resume their routine daily activity in a day or two. (Dr. S. Soundari is regional medical director, Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai. soundari.s@
India Today
14-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
No transplant, no stitches: The eye surgery giving patients a second chance at sight
In a country where the shortage of donor corneas often stands between a patient and restored vision, an innovative eye surgery developed in India is offering new as Pinhole Pupilloplasty (PPP), the technique is changing the way ophthalmologists treat patients with severe corneal conditions, without the need for corneal transplants or lengthy recovery transplants are required when the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye, becomes damaged or diseased to the point where it affects vision or causes Injuries from trauma, infections (like herpes simplex or fungal keratitis), keratoconus etc., would need corneal by Dr. Amar Agarwal, Chairman of Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital, this groundbreaking procedure has not only found takers across India but is also gaining recognition on the global fact, the eye surgery earned Dr. Agarwal an international award at the ASCRS Film Festival in Los Angeles. Dr. Amar Agarwal won an international award at the ASCRS Film Festival in Los Angeles. The technique, now widely practiced in several countries, has been credited with restoring sight where traditional methods fall short."Some patients have very high astigmatism that cannot be corrected with usual methods, and toric intraocular lenses only work up to a certain level. This gave me the idea to create a pinhole effect in the pupil itself, which led to the first Pinhole Pupilloplasty," Dr. Agarwal told SIMPLER ALTERNATIVE TO CORNEAL TRANSPLANTIn traditional cases of corneal scarring, eye doctors often recommend a corneal transplant - a procedure that relies heavily on donor tissue, involves a long healing period, and carries the risk of graft pinhole pupilloplasty method uses stitches to change the shape of the pupil without needing a donor cornea, and patients recover much faster compared to traditional principle is simple: by reducing the size of the pupil to about 1-1.5 mm, similar to the tip of a pin, incoming light is focused more effectively onto the retina, bypassing irregularities in the cornea. Pinhole surgery instead of regular corneal transplant (Image 1: pre-operation vision. Image 2: Post-operation eye) The result? Sharper vision with reduced glare, especially for patients with complex eye issues like corneal scars, keratoconus, or radial keratotomy complications."With the pinhole technique, patients recover much faster, and long-term results are very promising. It removes the risks of rejection and prolonged medication associated with corneal transplantation," said Dr. MAKES THE PINHOLE TECHNIQUE UNIQUE?advertisementThe procedure uses very thin stitches to change the shape of the coloured part of the eye and make a small central opening (pupil). It may sound simple, but what makes it special is how precise and flexible it earlier surgical techniques such as the Modified Siepser's or McCannel methods, the pinhole pupilloplasty method requires fewer steps and causes less post-operative has distinct advantages in managing rare but difficult conditions like Urrets-Zavalia Syndrome (a fixed dilated pupil), silicon oil-induced glaucoma, and even cases of raised intraocular pressure where standard treatments fail. The procedure uses very thin stitches to change the shape of the coloured part of the eye (pupil) and make a small central opening. () "It's quicker and simpler, and the pupil tightens enough to reduce glare and photophobia. It's particularly useful in patients with higher-order corneal aberrations. Plus, it's reversible. We can undo it with a YAG laser if necessary," explained Dr. CAN BENEFIT FROM THE PROCEDURE?advertisementThe surgery is ideal for patients who:Have corneal tears that caused irregular astigmatismPreviously underwent corneal grafts and developed distorted visionHave permanent pupil dilation with glareAre living with keratoconus (conical cornea)Have had radial keratotomy in the past, an outdated refractive surgeryIt is also useful in situations where a pupil has lost its ability to constrict, causing overwhelming glare, or when the shape of the cornea is so irregular that glasses or contact lenses no longer AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR INDIA AND BEYONDFor India, where the gap between demand and availability of donor corneas remains stark, the pinhole pupilloplasty surgery has immense public health implications. Estimates suggest that over 1 lakh corneal transplants are required annually in India, but only around 25,000 are performed due to limited donor supply. () Estimates suggest that over 1 lakh corneal transplants are required annually in India, but only around 25,000 are performed due to limited donor supply.'With Pinhole Pupilloplasty, we can avoid transplant in many cases,' Dr. Agarwal noted. 'It dramatically reduces the dependency on donor corneas and also cuts down the complications of transplant surgeries.'advertisementNotably, while pinhole intraocular lenses (IOLs) are an alternative used in high-income countries, they come with a steep price tag and fixed designs. PPP offers a more cost-effective, adaptable solution for patients in India and other low-resource THERE ANY RISKS?Like any intraocular procedure, the pinhole method is not without a small risk of the suture (stitch) coming close to the natural lens, which may result in cataract formation. To avoid this, it is typically performed in pseudophakic eyes, which means eyes in which the natural lens has already been replaced with an artificial one, such as after cataract small downside is that it can be hard to check the outer part of the retina through such a tiny pupil. But with modern machines like Optos or Mirante, doctors can still get a clear and complete view without needing to enlarge the pupil. Pinhole Pupilloplasty marks a shift in how eye diseases are approached. () advertisementPinhole Pupilloplasty marks a shift in how eye diseases are approached, especially in a country like India where healthcare resources are unevenly distributed. By eliminating the need for corneal grafts in certain cases and offering near-instant results, this procedure has the potential to democratize vision care."Knowing that this technique is helping people regain sight and confidence drives me to do what I love, to research, innovate, and impact lives with the gift of sight," Dr. Agarwal awareness grows and training becomes more widespread, this homegrown innovation might well become a global standard in complex corneal care.
