The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

HEALTH

Glaucoma can be detected much in advance
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 5
Glaucoma, one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in the world, can now be detected much earlier before it can cause any real damage to the eye. About 67 million people in the world are said to be suffering from this disease. So far it could not be detected in the earlier stages.

According to Dr GS Dhami, a leading ophthalmologist of Ludhiana, the world of medicine has made a major breakthrough in the field of ophthalmology with the invention of GDX-VCC instrument. He said GDX-VCC was a major breakthrough in early detection and monitoring of glaucoma and would certainly be a boon for the millions of Indians who were afflicted with the disease.

Dr Dhami said much against the public perception that glaucoma was accompanied by severe pain, it was usually painless without any symptom and thus not liable to be detected in earlier stages. He said in ophthalmology it was described as "silent thief of the sight". In later stages the blindness is permanent and the vision lost once cannot be regained. He said if glaucoma was diagnosed and treated early, blindness could be prevented and this had now become possible with the invention of GDX-VCC.

He said GDX-VCC was a revolution in early diagnosis of glaucoma as it was so far the most accurate method for early detection of glaucoma damage, as it quantified retinal nerve fibre layer, which thinned in glaucoma. It uses 780nm laster to scan the retina to measure the thickness. The measurements are then compared against a normative database to determine whether a given scan falls within the normal limits of the thickness or not. GDX-VCC can diagnose the glaucoma as early as six years before the actual vision or field losses are detected.

Dr Dhami suggested that glaucoma diagnosis was recommended for all cases at a risk like people above the age of 40, anyone with elevated inter-ocular pressure, people with family history of glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, long-term steroid users and people who were highly myopic.

Gastro cases turn out to be viral infection
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 5
Although swinging into action after reports that some residents of the Maha Singh Nagar locality on the Daba Lohara road in Ward No 22 have been suffering with gastroenteritis due to the supply of contaminated water, the local municipal corporation authorities maintained that it turned out to be a false alarm because a majority of the people were found to be suffering from viral infection.

After receiving an information from the residents that contaminated water is being supplied in Street No 1 of the locality and that several persons had fallen sick with diarrhoea and vomiting, a team of MC officials, including Zonal Commissioner Ashok Kumar and Superintending Engineer (O and M) Subhash Dua along with other officers responsible for water supply and sewerage, visited the area. The councillor concerned, Mr Surinder Sharma, also accompanied them.

According to Mr Dua, during the inspection of the water and sewerage network, it was detected that two water lines of private connections are passing through a disposal chamber, which might lead to contamination of water supply at a later stage. The water lines were disconnected and potable water was made available through water tankers. The water samples taken from the locality were checked for chlorination and found to be safe for drinking.

A team of doctors organised a medical camp where patients were examined and given necessary treatment. The civic staff distributed ORS packets and chlorine tablets and apprised the residents of preventive measures against diseases associated with hot and humid weather and rainy season.

200 examined at heart check-up camp
Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, July 5
A heart check-up camp was organised by the Pensioners Associations at Pensioners Bhavan here yesterday. A team of doctors from Hero DMC Heart Institute examined around 200 patients. Dr Gurpreet Singh Wander, Chief Cardiologist and co-ordinator of the institute, was the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Wander outlined the various causes of heart diseases and the ways to prevent these. He said heart ailments were the commonest cause of death beyond 40 years of age. Sedentary life style, which included fat-rich diet, lack of exercise, stress and smoking habits, was the major cause leading to heart diseases.

He announced special benefits to patients and added that the institute would organise such camps on regular basis.

According to Mr B.R. Kaushal, Chairman, Pensioners’ Bhavan, free ECG, blood sugar and other relevant tests were done during the camp and expert dieticians advised pensioners about healthy dietary habits.

Handball trials
Our Sports Reporter

Ludhiana, July 5
Trials to select the Punjab handball boys team (junior) will be conducted by the Punjab Handball Association here at the Punjab Agricultural University on July 7 from 4 pm onwards. This was stated by Mr S.S. Channi, president, Punjab Handball Association (PHA).

Players born on or after August 1, 1985, are eligible. Interested boys have been advised to contact Mr Balkar Singh Brar, honorary secretary, PHA with their age-proof certificates at the venue.