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The Hindu
29-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Insurance can better cataract surgery outcomes for India's elderly: study
India's population is growing older and eye problems such as cataracts already cause nearly half of all vision‑loss in people over 60. However, fewer than one in eight Indian seniors has any form of health insurance, leaving many to pay on their own or altogether skip care. Recently, researchers from L.V. Prasad Eye Institute checked how often elderly persons actually used insurance when they needed sight‑saving cataract surgery, what kinds of insurance they used, and whether coverage changed the speed and success of treatment. The team's findings were published in the August edition of The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia. The researchers mined an electronic medical record system linking every level of the institute's network across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, and Telangana. They pulled all first‑eye cataract operations performed on patients aged 70-100 years between August 2011 and December 2022. They discarded engagements that were charity‑funded and focused on people who had to choose a payment method. For each of these 38,387 surgeries, they logged gender, age, place of residence, self‑reported socioeconomic class, systemic illnesses, payment mode (out of pocket or insurance), and, if insured, whether the policy was a government scheme or a private plan. They also recorded the gap between the day surgery was advised and the day it was done. They also graded uncorrected visual acuity three to six weeks after surgery as 'good', 'normal' or 'poor' following World Health Organisation standards. Upon analysing the data, the researchers found that insurance was rare and fell off with age. Only 16% of all patients used any insurance. The uptake slid from 17.5% in the 70-74 years band to under 10% after age 85, largely because private insurers stop offering or become too costly. The public schemes were stuck at 3-4% in every age band. According to the study, after the national launch of the Ayushman Bharat programme and other State schemes ramped up in 2018, overall coverage for cataract surgery jumped to 20.6%, nearly twice the 10.7% in 2011‑2017. According to the team, this policy shift was the single strongest predictor of anyone having insurance. They also reported that elderly men insured themselves 19% of the time versus only 12% for women. Similarly, people from rural districts were less likely to be covered than residents of metros and that uptake rose steadily with socioeconomic class. Uninsured patients had surgery a median six days after advice. Those with private insurance waited 11 days and those on government schemes endured an 18‑day median delay, due to the paperwork and approval time. However, after controlling for every other factor, having any insurance made a patient 38% more likely to end up with 'good' uncorrected vision. Among people over 80, those without insurance were noticeably more likely to leave surgery till seeing poorly. In sum, cataract surgery was widely available yet the elders who needed it most often lacked insurance and were more likely to come out with worse eyesight. 'This study is powerful evidence that adequate insurance coverage improves the chances of receiving timely health care while also benefiting from superior outcomes. I would argue that these findings are true not just for cataract surgery, but for all forms of health intervention,' Brijesh Takkar, consultant ophthalmologist at the institute and the first author of the study, said. 'Our national health policy should insure the many who are vulnerable to financial insecurity. This has the potential to reduce the burden of healthcare costs on them.'
The Hindu
26-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Sankara Nethralaya pays tribute to Dr. Namperumalsamy
At the 31st Annual Meeting of ARVO-INDIA, a forum where eye researchers from across the country gather to present research and share expertise held at Sankara Nethralaya in Chennai, a swatch of time was taken to recall memories of, and honour the legacy of a visionary in the field of ophthalmology, P. Namperumalsamy. 'Dr. Nam', as he was fondly known, was chairman-emeritus of Madurai-based Aravind Eye Hospital. He died on Thursday (July 25, 2025) at the age of 85. Recalling memories, T. Surendran, chairman, Sankara Nethralaya, spoke of his first meetings with Dr. Nam at workshops at Aravind Eye Hospital and of his simple, unassuming personality. 'His association with Sankara Nethralaya dates back to its inception,' he said and added that they hoped to ensure his legacy endured. Gullapalli N. Rao, founder, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, said that he had known Dr. Nam for nearly 60 years, and his wife G. Nachiar, for even longer. Recalling him as a simple, humble, and informal person, Dr. Rao said that he had learnt a lot from Dr. Nam's experiences. 'His contribution [to Aravind Eye Hospital] was the creation of strong sub-specialities and training programmes. He also created the research centre,' Dr. Rao said, adding that Dr. Nam had fought with the management to keep research funded and had constantly advocated for research. The two doctors then signed a condolence card, and all delegates at the conference who wished to sign it were asked to do so, with the card to be sent to Aravind Eye Hospital subsequently, organisers of the event said.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- The Hindu
Guided by sound, not sight: How a Hyderabad centre is redefining possibilities for the visually impaired
In a modest room with six computers at the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad, a transformation is under way. Here, individuals with visual impairment, both young and old, are learning to type, guided by voices from the computers. Each keystroke is met with an audio response, helping the users become familiar with the keyboard through sound. This room is part of the Institute for Vision Rehabilitation (IVR), a centre dedicated to empowering persons with visual impairment through assistive technology, vocational training and community-based services. 'In today's technologically advanced society, it is almost impossible to complete education or secure meaningful employment without basic computer literacy. Computer assistive technology enables us to access information, work more efficiently and independently, and strive for financial independence,' said Prameela (name changed), a visually impaired woman who once trained at the centre and now teaches others. The Assistive Technology Resource Centre at the institute offers hands-on training in computer use through advanced tools like Screen Readers and Magnifiers, including software such as JAWS (Job Access With Speech), MAGic, Kurzweil 1000, NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) and Window-Eyes. These tools allow users to navigate digital environments confidently, opening doors to both academic and professional success. Established in 1992, the institute has supported over 2.8 lakh people. Beyond digital literacy, the institute also offers vocational and livelihood training, especially to those from rural backgrounds. Courses in tailoring, jute product making, and other traditional crafts help participants become financially independent and support their families. 'These programmes are designed to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and improve overall quality of life,' said Beula Christy, head of the Institute for Vision Rehabilitation. Another key feature of the institute is its digital audio library, where printed books are converted into audiobooks in various regional languages. Volunteers, ranging from students to professionals, record these books in a studio based on user demand. 'This service is a boon for people who cannot see. Our volunteers help bring books to life,' Beula added. The institute also operates a dedicated helpline to support visually impaired individuals seeking assistance for a range of needs, from mobility issues and accessing essential services to navigating everyday challenges. A trained team responds to each call with both practical solutions and emotional support. 'We often receive calls from individuals who are stuck somewhere, need help reaching a destination, or are looking for a scribe for an upcoming exam. We step in to assist them with such immediate and practical requirements,' said a staff member managing the helpline Despite its extensive services, the institute is facing a shortage of volunteers. 'We have many people who need help, but not enough hands to support them. We urgently need volunteers who can spare just a few hours a week,' Beula appealed.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
LED billboards looming large on FOBs portend danger
Foot Over Bridges (FOBs), the primary purpose of which is to save the lives of pedestrians, are being turned into cash cows by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), which is permitting gigantic advertisements on them, paying no attention to the risk they pose to public safety. Huge LED screens span across the length of the FOBs at several places in the city, which is brazen violation of the government's policy not to permit advertisement hoardings over 15 feet in height in view of public safety. Besides, there is every risk of the flashy boards diverting the attention of the vehicle riders on the route, causing accidents. Gigantic LED screens could be seen on the FOBs at places such as Road No. 3, Banjara Hills, and near L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, which have been apparently allowed on 'experimental' basis, before the government announces its policy on the same. It is of concern that patients and attendants visiting the hospital use the FOB as shelter to eat, sleep and spend the nights. In case the FOB, under the weight of the screen, comes crashing down, the fatalities could be very high. 'That the FOBs were not designed or built to bear the weight of LED screens, adds to the apprehensions, especially in view of the risk they pose under the impact of monsoons,' says Uday Krishna Peddireddi, who once was involved in designing and installing FOBs for GHMC. A massive billboard has appeared also in front of the new multi-level parking complex near the KBR Park, in contravention of the policy against hoardings above 15 feet in height. It also puts in question the very purpose of the parking complex in GHMC's view -- whether for advertisement revenue or as public facility. The State government imposed a ban on hoardings and unipoles above 15 feet in height in 2020, following multiple instances of collapse of such hoardings in inclement weather conditions. There was also a decision not to allow advertisements on FOBs, which could cause distraction and accidents. Officials under the condition of anonymity, informed that the policy against advertisements on FOBs has been sent to the government for review, and a decision is yet to be taken on that. The new policy will apply to the newly built FOBs at 17 locations in the city, they informed. 'The FOBs on which ads are on display, were installed before the policy was announced. Agreements were signed with the advertising firms,' a highly placed official informed. However, he had no answer to the question if the structures were strong enough to support LED screens.
The Hindu
30-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
L.V. Prasad vision centre opened at Mandadam
The L.V. Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) on Monday inaugurated a technology-enabled vision centre at Mandadam village of Thullur mandal in Guntur district. A statement issued by the eye institute said that the new facility will provide eye care services to the residents of Mandadam and neighbouring villages. It is a permanent, free walk-in clinic accessible to everyone, regardless of socio-economic status. It is the first-of-its-kind equipped to perform both anterior and posterior segment examinations, along with teleconsultation facilities. The teleconsultation facility will enable patients to connect with experts at the tertiary care centre or quaternary care institute (Centre of Excellence) at Hyderabad, based on the need. A trained vision technician (VT) from LVPEI will conduct comprehensive undilated eye examinations. Diagnostic tests for glaucoma and retinal diseases will also be done at the centre, which will also offer home care services for persons unable to visit the centre due to health, mobility and other constraints. The centre will be open Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. LVPEI is launching the Universal Eye Health Programme in 29 villages of Amaravati region. Locally recruited vision guardians/community eye health workers will visit each household, screen them and based on requirement, refer them to the primary centre for appropriate care, said the statement.
