Author Archives: Dr. Raghuraj Hegde

Ways to build a successful career in Ophthalmology

Ophthalmology has been one of the fastest growing specialties in the world. The advances in the field in the last three decades has been astounding. Yet building a career in Ophthalmology is becoming come complex. I hope to add some insight about how to get started in Ophthalmology in India

Customized Eye Prosthesis Surgery

A Customized ocular prosthesis (prosthetic eye) is considered when we have to remove an eye due to Eye Cancer (for example Retinoblastoma in children)Irreparable eye injury due to trauma (children & adults)Cosmetically disfigured eyeball with no hope of visual rehabilitation There are two professionals required for the success of this surgery Doctor- An ophthalmologist withContinueContinue reading “Customized Eye Prosthesis Surgery”

Can LED Screens Damage Our Eyesight?

As of now not really! There are various media outlets trying to bring a new spin to the story of LED lighting and eyes. LED lighting has improved efficiency as well as reduced power consumption. I feel this need to be seen objectively supported by actual evidence and not the hypothesis of scientists in aContinueContinue reading “Can LED Screens Damage Our Eyesight?”

Thyroid Eye Disease

Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune condition of the soft tissue such as the fat and muscles surrounding the eyes. The disease is characterized by a period of inflammation and swelling of these tissues, followed by a healing response. Our body’s immune system usually fights off infection but in an autoimmune disease it attacks the body’s own tissues with antibodies. When an autoimmune attack starts on the thyroid gland, it responds by producing more of its hormones. At the same time the auto-antibodies attacking the thyroid gland also attack the tissues around the eyes.

Retinoblastoma, A Success Story In The Fight Against Cancer

Today Retinoblastoma is treated using a team based approach. The team consists of an Ocular Oncologist, Pediatric Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, Pathologist, Interventional radiologist and an Ocularist. This approach has resulted in fantastic success in care for children with Retinoblastoma.

Finding Superman: Changing a prolific surgeon to a social entrepreneur

We need supermen like Dr. Shiva for healthcare in India. People who have to be physicians, surgeons, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and managers combined into one person. People who can take on multiple responsibilities in this endeavor without an almost non-existent government support and yet be driven enough to bring about a social change. We have found one, I’m sure we would find more.

How should a medical student use his Internship?

I got asked this question on Quora How do i make best use of internship during MBBS in India? It got me thinking as to what internship meant to me. I finished my internship nearly 7 years back so maybe now I have better perspective on what it meant back then. I answered and IContinueContinue reading “How should a medical student use his Internship?”

Life of a 21st century doctor!

The medical science has seen a sea change over the last century…..more than what has been achieved in the previous 5 centuries put together. The change has been for the better for patients as people are getting cured of diseases which previously had no cures. In this state of change to expect the medical profession not to change is simply naive. I would like to enumerate the good, the bad and the ugly of the medical profession in general and the joys and challenges of doctors in particular. This is in no way a negative or cynical post. It is more of a perspective of how things are and how it is going to be.

Hope and Heartbreak: The two sides of Retinoblastoma

This is the heartbreaking world of Retinoblastoma and I’m sure this happens in most parts of India as well where doctors treating this dreadful cancer have to fight superstitions, parental denials, costs, cultures, quacks and witch doctors.