The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

HEALTH

New technique to correct cataract
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — With latest techniques available, phacoemulsification of white cataract is now possible. Talking to Chandigarh Tribune, during the annual conference of the Chandigarh Ophthalmological Society here yesterday, Dr Jagat Ram, Additional Professor, Ophthalmology Department, PGI, said this technique, to which the world was recently introduced in the year 2000, is now also available in the institute.

Phacoemulsification involves a small incision of 3 mm on cornea. Following ultrasonic emulsification of the cataract, a foldable intraocular lens is implanted.

According to Dr Jagat Ram, in India, 25 per cent of cataract cases, especially from rural areas, come to the hospitals at a very advanced stage.

The conventional techniques of correcting cataract required a big incision, involving 5 to 7 sutures and long stay in hospital. In the phacoemulsification technique, no suture is required and the person becomes mobile the same day.

This technique, however, is best applicable when cataract is noticed at an early stage. The later-stage treatment, besides being difficult for the surgeon, may also not give very good results.

As per Dr Jagat Ram, last year an extension of the phacoemulsification technique was developed whereby dyes called trypan blue or indosynin green are injected into the anterior chamber. This stains the opaque chamber and the white margins of the cataract are clarified, thereby making it possible for the surgeon to visualise the entire process of phacoemulsification. Moreover, clinical studies also reveal that the dye does not have any toxic effect on the patient.

The focus of the one-day symposium was diabetic retinopathy. While Dr B Patnaik from Delhi gave an introduction to the epidemiology and pathology of the disease, Prof Amod Gupta, Head, Ophthalmology Department, PGI, presented the role of vitreous surgery in the condition.

Dr M.R. Dogra, Associate Professor, Ophthalmology Department, PGI, talked about the role of laser surgery in correcting the disease. According to Dr Dogra, diabetic retinopathy is the major emerging cause for blindness in the country with 5 to 8 per cent people in the country suffering from diabetes.

As per Dr Dogra, awareness in both patients and doctors is also important because unlike cataract surgery, treatment for diabetic retinopathy is very expensive. While the earlier stages require a treatment with laser, advanced cases have to be treated with the more complicated vitreous surgery. While cataract surgery is commonly available, laser and vitreous surgeries are expensive and are also not available in most of the health institutions of the country.

A strict control of diabetes has shown that it delays the onset of retinopathy and cuts down its progression, said Dr Dogra. It is a multi-system disorder which affects the blood vessels in the body. In eyes, during the early stages, blood, fats and fluids start leaking. Later this develops into abnormal blood vessels, leading to massive haemorrhage and subsequent blindness.

Dr B. Patnaik, President, Delhi Ophthalmology Society, presented the Grover Memorial Oration on the “Eale’s disease, old disease, new outlook.” As per Dr Patnaik, the disease predominantly affects young males in the age group of 20 to 40. While its causes are not known, it is quite prevalent in India.

Experts attribute the causes for the disorder to the presence of tuberculosis and other numerous infectious diseases in the country. Why it predominantly affects males is not yet known.

As per Dr Ashok Sharma, Associate Professor, Ophthalmology Department, PGI, the patient suffers repeated bleeding along the infectious blood vessels of the retina. The earliest indications include cobwebs or small objects in front of the eyes and later a complete loss of vision.

As per Dr Patnaik, an early detection is important as its management depends on the stage at which the disease has been detected. While the initial stages can be treated with drugs the later stages have to be treated with laser.

Other speakers included Dr S. Sood, Head Ophthalmology, GMCH, Dr S.S. Pandav, Dr Vaishali Gupta, Dr Anil Bhansali, Dr Sashi Kapoor, Dr S.P.S. Grewal, Dr Gagandeep Brar, Dr Subina Narang and Dr Rohit Kapoor.

Workshop on quality of drugs
Tribune News Service

SAS NAGAR, Jan 29 — The Indian pharmaceutical industry would have to pay attention in the area of drug quality if it had to compete in the international market, said Mr V.N. Kaul, Secretary in the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, while speaking at the inaugural function of a two-day workshop on “Quality requirements for exports of drugs and pharmaceuticals” organised at the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research here today.

Mr Kaul said maintaining the present growth rate requires persistent efforts and quality assurance. He said with mapping of the 97 per cent of the human genes, the drug production had entered a new field altogether. He said presently 60 per cent of the drugs were being produced out of herbal products and through bio-technology.

The Director of the NIPER, Dr C.L. Kaul, said the Indian pharmaceutical sector was facing an increasing competition from China, UK and many European countries. He stressed upon a critical analysis of the reasons behind the fall in pharmaceutical exports. The above stated factors notwithstanding, the pharmaceutical sector was one of the dynamic sectors in industry and was experiencing a growth of about 15 per cent per annum in the country. To sustain the growth and to meet the global challenges facing the industry, the producing human resource of high calibre was the need of the hour.

Ms Veenu Gupta, Deputy Secretary in the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, stressed on the need to increase production of quality drugs for exports. She said there was an increased quality consciousness among the drug regulatory agencies throughout the world. There was a need for the Indian industry to keep themselves abreast with the latest developments in the regulatory scenario to face the onslaught of the international competitors.

Later during the technical session Mr Vinod Arora, Associate Director, Ranbaxy Laboratories, Gurgaon and Prof Saranjit Singh from NIPER apprised the participants about the ongoing process of harmonisation of the regulatory requirements.

SPORT

City has another tennis star
By Arvind Katyal

CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — Saurabh Singh of Chandigarh continued his fine form from the ITF Junior Tennis Meet that concluded on January 27 in Delhi by defeating seeded players in the Chandigarh leg of the meet today. The meet began here today in the Sector 10 CLTA Stadium.

Saurabh has twice been to the USA for advanced training. Saurabh, an unseeded player in the Delhi ITF Meet, created an upset in prequarterfinals there by beating top seed Vinod Sewa of Calcutta. In quarterfinals, he beat the ninth seed and winner of the previous ITF meet, Rohan Gajjar.

In Saurabh, Chandigarh has found another good player like Sunil Kumar, Amanjot Singh, Akshay Vishal Rao and Tushar Liberhan.

Saurabh who reached here past evening from Delhi, was on the courts today to get warmed up for the tournament. His right shoulder was injured, due to which, he could not play like he had in Delhi.

Saurabh said he would like to go abroad for treatment if the injury aggravated. Saurabh had lost to Nishank Mishra in the semi-finals in Delhi. Saurabh said the CLTA was training him well and he was getting more exposure as the CLTA was now hosting more tournaments than ever.

Saurabh said the early rounds in Delhi were tough where he had to defeat Harshad Khirsagar of India in first round and Alamgir Wali of Pakistan in the second. He hoped to continue his form here as well if his shoulder didn’t give him trouble.

Athletics meet organised
By Our Sports Reporter

CHANDIGARH, Jan 29 — Purnima of Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37, and Charandeep Singh of St Anne’s Convent School, Sector 32, secured first place in 400 metre event in under 14-age group of girls and boys section respectively of the UT School Athletic meet organised by UT Education Department here at the Sports Complex, Sector 7.

The other winners are: (under-14 boys) shot put — Navdeep (GHS-37); long jump — Nitish (GMHS-43); 4x100 m relay — GSSS, Karsan (girls) 400 m — Purnima (GMSSS-37); shot put — Harjit Kaur (GMSSS-16). (Under-17 boys) — 400 m; Aman Kumar (DAVSSS-8); 1500 m — Gurpreet (DAVSSS-8); long jump — Harminder (DAVSSS-8); shot put — Harinder (PML SDPS-32); (girls) — 400m — Harsimran Kaur (GMSSS-18); 1500 m — Ritu (GGSSS-8); shot put — Amandeep Kaur ( ISDSS-21).

Under-19 (boys) 1500 m — Latif Mohd (GSS, Karsan); shot put: Lakhbir Singh (DAVSSS-8); long jump — Vikramjeet (GSSS Karsan); (girls) 400 m — Veena (GMSSS-20); 1500 m — Mohinderjit Kaur (GMSSS-18); shot put — Sakshi (GMSSS-20).