The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

Rare eye surgery at DMCH
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 8
Dr Manish Munjal, Reader in the ENT Department of the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, has claimed to have developed a new endoscopic technique for eye surgery. Using this technique an eye surgery can be done through nose. Dr Munjal said it would be helpful in case of individuals who suffered with profuse watering of eyes.

Dr Munjal in a press note today said Surinder Pal Kaur (44), a resident of Ahmedgarh village, had developed an acute problem of frequent and excessive tear flow, which was accompanied by swelling near the lower eye-lids.

She visited many surgeons, but was reluctant to undergo any surgery fearing to get postoperative scar marks on the face. But when she consulted Dr Munjal at the DMCH, she was told that she was suffering from chronic dacrocystitis which could be treated under magnified vision using the endoscopic technique, called EIDCR- endoscopic intranasal dacrocystorhinostomy.

Dr Munjal said this technique caused less bleeding and no dressing or stitches were required.

Surgery was successfully conducted and her blocked channel was opened after drilling the bone from inside the nose using endoscopic technique.

Dr Munjal said non-reactive tubes were placed in the channel by Dr Dinesh Garg, Eye Surgeon, Department of Ophthalmology, DMCH, which would be removed after about six weeks. He said the patient was recovering in the hospital.

Vision syndrome on the rise: docs
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, October 8
The fast trend towards computerisation and the persons getting habitual to using computers is claiming its cost with persons getting afflicted with various diseases related to the eyes. This has also led to a significant change in the pattern of eye diseases.

According to leading ophthalmologists, of late most of the eye infections were found to be related to ‘vision syndrome’, which are mostly found to be associated with the use of computers. And not surprisingly the sufferers are the youths who remain glued to computer monitors for longer duration. The doctors revealed that 99 per cent of the eye patients in the city complained of this syndrome during the past one year.

Dr G.S. Dhami, an ophthalmologist, while talking to Ludhiana Tribune on World Sight Day disclosed that necessary precautions were urgently needed to be taken. He said the eye diseases could be divided in five major categories namely computer-associated diseases, allergic diseases, industrial injuries, dairy farming injuries and bow and arrow injuries. Most of the eye patients complained of dry eyes causing itching and irritation. “The youngsters who continuously work on computers or sit in air-conditioners or read and drive a lot usually face dryness in the eyes. This dryness can be removed by giving artificial tears”, said Dr Dhami.

Besides, industrial injuries were also very common in the city. Most of the industrial workers who worked in iron, plastic or polishing industries developed injuries while working. “Industrial workers should wear glasses while working in such industries because there were greater chances of entering foreign bodies in their eyes”.

Dr R.K. Grewal, Head of the Ophthalmology Department, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, said it was unfortunate that 60 per cent of the eye patients suffered from automobile accidents. “Due to unregulated traffic, a number of automobile accidents occur in the city in which there is corneal damage and eye rupture”, said Dr Grewal.

The industrial workers in the city developed ulcers which can even lead to corneal blindness. “The industrial and agricultural workers should wear protective glasses to avoid eye injuries”.

Dr Dhami cautioned that injuries due to bow and arrow were the most common in this season. He cautioned that during Divali and Dashera days kids should not be allowed to pay with firecrackers. The eye damage caused by crackers was the worst of all in which a person could lose his eye sight also.

Dr Grewal stressed that people suffering from eye diseases should not consult quacks. “No compromise should be done as far as eyes are concerned. Due to wrong medication prescribed by quacks, the person may lose his/ her vision. One must consult a doctor even if there is a minor itching, burning sensation or regular watering of eyes”, advised Dr Grewal.