Indore: Earlier, cataract was believed to the disease of old age but now young people and children are also falling prey to the disease, thanks to consumption of junk food and steroid. Addressing a session of 77th Annual Conference of All India Ophthalmology Society, on Saturday, Joint Director of Medical Education and Research Maharashtra, Padmashri Dr Tatyarao Lahane said, “Number of patients suffering from cataract is increasing swiftly.
There are more than 1 crore patients suffering from cataract and the number is increase.” He said that increasing number of children and youth is a matter of concern. The main reason for the same is consumption of junk food and steroids. “Another reason for cataract in children is the unhealthy diet taken by the mothers. Doctors can make people aware but they have to take the necessary steps for the same,” he said.
Dr Lahane has performed over 1.64 lakh eye surgeries and is serving the society by organising camps in slum areas. Organising chairman of the conference, Dr RS Choudhary and vice president Dr Prateep Vyas said that the experts highlighted the advancement in new techniques of treatment and also focused on new trends of diseases. “The conference has seen presence of 7000 doctors and many of them presented their researches as well,” Dr Choudhary said.
Gene Therapy would prove boon
Associate director of National Eye Institute in United States Dr Gyan John Prakash said that gene therapy for the treatment of eye diseases has been launched in USA. “It will prove boon for the patients suffering from eye diseases caused due genetic disorders.
Genes are being injected in patient’s retina which cures the disease permanently,” Dr Prakah said. He added that one dose of gene therapy is so expensive but it will be beneficial for the patients in India after reducing the price. Various Indian institutes are working to pull down the price of the therapy and to make it more efficient.
Japan has developed artificial eye
Taking a long leap in eye treatment, Japan has successful invented artificial eye and it will soon come to the markets. Director of National Institute of Sensory Organ Dr Takeshi Iwata said, “The artificial eye is a camera which can recognise light and shapes.
With the help of this, blind patients can recognise shapes and get ease in performing daily chores.” Meanwhile, professor of AIIMS Dr Raj Pal said, “Chances of vision defect increase in the children with low weight. Parents should see an eye doctor as well with a physician to get their baby healthy.”
