lV Prasad Eye Institute created history once again by being the first in east India to perform Viscocanalostomy, a type of non penetrating glaucoma filtration surgery for glaucoma patients.
Dr Aparna Rao, glaucoma consultant of the institute here, performed the surgery on four patients of age ranging from 38 years to 62 years.Speaking at a Press conference here on Thursday, Dr Rao said the technique targets the Schlemm’s canal which is the main pathway for drainage of fluid or “aqueous” out of the eye.
Glaucoma is seen as the leading cause of irreversible blindness in India. It is a disorder associated with pressure in the eye and is characterized by damage to the optic nerve. Nearly 40 million aged 40 years or older either has glaucoma or is at risk of developing the disease. 11.2 million Indians suffer from the disease with 1.1 million blind, including children.
Today, with the advancement of technology, we are able to help discerning patients and it will be a boon to the people of India where the cost of medicines is a 61 million persons worldwide have glaucoma and that is expected to rise to almost 80 million by the year 2020,” Dr Rao said. She informed that eight to 10 glaucoma cases come to the institute every day and the cost of operation ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 80,000.