Latest news with #LVPrasadEyeInstitute
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Pig tissue cornea implants offers new treatment for advanced keratoconus
Hyderabad: According to a recent study conducted by doctors at L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad, cornea implants made from pig tissues might offer a new treatment option for patients with advanced keratoconus. Keratoconus causes the cornea to become too thin and bulge, resulting in blurred vision and, in severe cases, significant vision impairment. The study, published in the US-based Journal of Refractive Surgery, aimed to determine the efficacy of xenogeneic corneal implants, whereby damaged or diseased corneal tissue is replaced with tissue from a different species, typically pigs. Doctors said this reduces the need for human corneas, which are already hard to find in many places. During the clinical trial, doctors placed a small, soft, disc-shaped piece of tissue called a lenticule, made from porcine (pig) collagen, into the corneas of nine patients with advanced keratoconus. The average age of the patients was 28 years. Following the procedure, all of the patients' vision improved significantly as none of their bodies rejected the implants. Their logMAR improved from 1.43 to 0.78. However, in two cases, the tissue around the implant started to thin again and further treatment was required. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Heads Turn as Walgreens Shoppers Discover 87¢ ED Pills fridayplans Learn More Undo Distance vision improved "All the patients have been followed up regularly and are doing well,'"said Dr Rashmi Deshmukh, the study's lead author from LVPEI, told TOI, adding that as well as improving distance vision without glasses, the results showed that the bulging part of the eye became flatter over time. Doctors said that the implants are effective because they resemble human corneas. "Among the species that have been explored so far, porcine collagen most closely resembles human collagen, which is why it is the preferred choice. However, it may be possible in the future for corneal implants to be made from collagen of other species too," said Dr Rashmi. The doctors said that the study was necessary because usual cases of keratoconus could be treated with minimal surgery, after which contact lenses or glasses could be used to improve visual acuity. However, these treatments could only be used if the cornea was sufficiently thick. There were, however, limited treatments available for cases where keratoconus advanced and the cornea became too thin. Only corneal transplantation (keratoplasty), another surgical procedure, was possible. Although pig implants have provided a breakthrough, doctors still need to examine the 'crosslinking process' to determine whether any of the chemicals involved cause an inflammatory reaction in the eye. "Further research is needed to see if there is any way to modify the pig implant to allow important nutrients to reach the front part of the cornea (the part above the implant) to maintain healthy eyes," said Dr Rashmi. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Doctors develop new light-based treatment for rare eye infection
Hyderabad: Doctors at the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad have discovered a new way to treat a rare but serious eye infection called acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) — a rare but serious eye infection that causes pain, redness, and can lead to vision loss. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This infection is caused by amoeba found in places like water and soil. According to the study, it mostly affects people who wear contact lenses or come into contact with dirty water, such as those working on farms or using tap water to clean their lenses. Doctors tested a new light-based treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDAT-RB) and found it promising. The antimicrobial treatment uses a special dye called rose bengal, which is activated by light to produce powerful molecules that kill the infection. This, in turn, helped reduce inflammation in the eye. Rose bengal is a reddish-pink dye used in the diagnosis of eye conditions, which turned out to act as an effective photosensitising agent. Published in the United Kingdom-based Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection, the study states that the most common cause of this disease is exposure of the eyes to contaminated water, especially in agricultural fields or washing contact lenses with tap water. An estimated 30-40% of patients suffering from AK require corneal transplantation, known as keratoplasty, on average. Despite that, many do not regain good visual acuity and require additional surgery. This study included 14 patients with AK infection. At first, they were given regular medicines to treat the infection. Then they received the new light-based PDAT treatment twice a week. The doctors used a solution with 0.1% rose bengal dye as part of the therapy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Doctors found that the treatment with the PDAT-RB reduced the need for corneal transplantation in 72% of the total patients with bacterial keratitis (inflammation of the cornea). Moreover, the infection was cleared in about 86% of patients within two to five months after the treatment. While most patients were suffering from almost complete vision loss before the treatment, only two of the total patients in the study required a corneal transplant to repair the damaged part. Although their vision improved after PDAT-RB therapy, they still had poor sight. On average, their vision went from total blindness to being able to see large objects or movement. Dr Gowtham Lakshminarayan, a research assistant scientist involved in the study, explained that the treatment works by creating powerful chemicals that destroy the harmful organisms in the eye. "The study suggests that if this treatment is used early, it can be a helpful and less-invasive (non-surgical) option to manage a severe eye infection that is usually hard to treat with regular medicines. The new treatment also shows that rose bengal is an effective photosensitiser and that early intervention with PDAT-RB treatment can yield promising results in the AK eye infection," he added.
Hans India
26-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
‘Whitathon' cautions people about early signs of retinoblastoma
Visakhapatnam: In a step to build awareness about the early detection of retinoblastoma (eye cancer) in children, a 'whitathon' was organised at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Flagged off from Kalimata temple at Beach Road, the event commemorates the 'World Retinoblastoma Awareness Week' observed in the month of May. Highlighting the importance of spotting early signs of the eye cancer, adjunct ophthalmologist at the GMR Varalakshmi campus Dr. G. Suneetha underlined the need to build awareness about the symptoms of retinoblastoma among the public. 'It is important that we educate the public, especially young parents about the symptoms of retinoblastoma. Everyone should be aware that once they notice a white reflex in a child's eye, they should immediately get it examined by an eye specialist. Early detection and treatment can save the child's life, eye, and vision,' she emphasised. Head GMR Varalakshmi campus Dr Virendra Sachdeva exhorted people to spread awareness about the symptoms of retinoblastoma. 'If each of us takes the responsibility of building awareness about retinoblastoma with others in our circle, it would make a huge difference,' he suggested. Underprivileged children suffering from retinoblastoma will be treated free of cost with the support of the funds raised from the 'whitathon' organised by the LV Prasad Eye Institute. This year, over 450 participants extended support to the cause. Retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer, primarily affects children under three years of age. The ophthalmologists caution that signs like squint, white reflex, red eyes, swollen eyelids and enlarged eyes should not be neglected and consult a trained ophthalmologist as soon as they spot the symptoms.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Study reveals combined Andhra Pradesh had 51% incidence of presbyopia
Visakhapatnam: A 15-year follow-up of 5,395 participants from the erstwhile combined Andhra Pradesh (encompassing both present-day AP and Telangana), originally examined between 1996 and 2000, revealed an incidence of presbyopia (an age-related decline in near vision) of 51%. While the global prevalence of presbyopia among individuals aged 30 and over is estimated at about 25%, there remains a dearth of long-term incidence studies—particularly in India, where previous studies have primarily focussed on prevalence, reporting a 33% prevalence of uncorrected presbyopia. Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study III (APEDS III), which involved nearly 5,400 participants, aimed to assess the incidence of presbyopia and identify socio-demographic risk factors among individuals aged 16 years and above at study revealed several notable independent risk factors for incident presbyopia, including age, educational level, and hypertension. Operation Sindoor After Pak dials India, both sides agree to stop firing; top military officials to talk on May 12 'Armed forces remain operationally ready': India after ceasefire announcement 'Any future act of terror will ...': India's big stand against Pak In particular, participants with higher baseline education tended to be more myopic and were thereby at a lower risk of developing study was conducted by researchers from the LV Prasad Eye Institute in Hyderabad, the University of New South Wales in Sydney, the University of Rochester in New York, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and the Pragyaan Sustainable Health Outcomes Foundation in Hyderabad, Telangana. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo It was published in the BMJ to the researchers, average age of the participants was about 29 years, with about 55% being female. Over the 15-year period, approximately 51% of the participants developed presbyopia. This translates to roughly 52 new cases per 100 person-years of the risk of developing presbyopia was significantly associated with several factors; participants aged 30–39 years were nearly three times as likely to develop the condition, those aged 40–49 years had about a 1.5-fold higher risk, individuals with no formal education were 2.5 times more likely to develop presbyopia, those with only primary education had an approximate 2.1-fold increased risk, and hypertension was associated with a 1.3-fold higher risk."This is the first study to describe the cumulative incidence of presbyopia in a rural Indian population, with an overall cumulative incidence of 50.9%. The high incidence observed in this study has significant implications for daily living among affected individuals, who may face challenges in performing essential near-vision tasks such as reading, sewing, or using electronic devices. This decline in near vision can lead to increased dependence, ultimately affecting both quality of life and psychological well-being," said the panel of researchers including Debananda Padhy, Rohit C Khanna, Srinivas Marmamula, Asha Latha Mettla, Pyda Giridhar, Seema Banerjee, Shekhar Konegari, Subhabrata Chakrabarti, Gudlavalleti V S Murthy, Clare E Gilbert, and Gullapalli Nageswara Rao."Implementing community-based vision screening programmes can help identify individuals with presbyopia and facilitate access to appropriate interventions The findings suggest that there is an annual need for presbyopia correction in rural India and underscore the necessity for targeted eye care screening—particularly among high-risk groups. The study could influence policy to enhance primary eye care services, especially with regard to providing presbyopic spectacles,"they added.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Early treatment of lazy eye key for ‘bright' furture
Hyderabad: A recent study, jointly conducted by the doctors of the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) and Queensland University in Australia, found that the adverse effects of lazy eye ( amblyopia ) and squint (strabismus) can persist into adulthood if not treated early. Typically considered paediatric conditions that develop in early childhood, these issues affect a patient's reading ability, motor skills, quality of life, and more. Doctors warn that these conditions can also lead to psychological impacts, including low self-esteem, reduced confidence, increased anxiety, and depression. The study was conducted to determine the extent of the effect of these two conditions on the patients. Researchers pointed out that the existing clinical establishments for lazy eye and squinting were insufficient to fully evaluate their effects on a patient's reading proficiency and driving ability. Titled 'Fine Motor Skills, Reading Speed, and Self-Reported Quality of Life in Adults with Amblyopia and/or Strabismus', the study was published in an online journal, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (IOVS). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Just two years old and diagnosed with cancer—help save her! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo In case of lazy eye, a person's eye does not develop regular vision during early childhood. Doctors explain that the condition arises from defects in the way information is transmitted from the eye to the brain. As a result, the brain relies more on the healthy eye, causing the affected eye to be neglected and ultimately impaired. The study included 95 participants, aged 18 to 40, from the LVPEI's Bhubaneswar centre. These included 23 adults with a lazy eye, 20 with a squint, and 52 with both amblyopia and strabismus. None of the participants had any prior ocular (eye) or neurological disorders. Another 19 individuals with normal vision were included to set up a comparison. After conducting various tests on participant's motor skills and reading proficiency, doctors found that all the participants with a lazy eye, squint, or both performed 'below average' or 'well below average' in comparison to those with normal vision. A 2023 survey, conducted by the institutue on the school-going children (4 to 15 years) in Telangana, found that of the 7.74 lakh children who were screened, around 9,000 (1.16%) suffered from visual impairment. At present, the state implements Union govt-sponsored National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) to support visually impaired people. Dr Debasmita Majhi, Consultant Ophthalmologist, LVPEI, said, "The lazy eye usually manifests during childhood. It often develops into a squint, which is misaligned, pointing inwards or outwards. But both conditions can also exist independently." "The reading speed of those with lazy eyes and/or squint was also significantly slower. Most participants say that the inability to see with both eyes (low binocular function) is their biggest hindrance. Strabismus (squint) was also found to be a predominant reason for the affected people to have low confidence," said Dr Vivek Warkad, Consultant Pediatric, Strabismus, LVPEI. Doctors stressed that a early diagnosis and treatment of lazy eye during childhood are critical, as untreated conditions can have lifelong consequences.
