Category Archives: Ophthalmology

Guidelines for the Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic Trauma Surgeon during the COVID-19 era – An APOTS & APSOPRS Document

The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic is changing the infection, transmission and safety practices of medical establishments globally. From evidence that is available presently, the risk of transmission of this virus is high amongst medical personnel involved in procedures and surgeries around the head and neck region- Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, Craniomaxillofacial surgery, Head and Neck Oncology, Neurosurgery including Anesthesiology. The field of Oculoplastic Surgery has risk factors common to both ophthalmology and all of the above craniofacial subspecialties. While clear directives and strategies to handle elective, urgent and emergency surgeries in SARS-Cov2 positive patients is constantly evolving, we herewith attempt to consolidate various guidelines from various relevant professional global medical societies which will be beneficial to the orbit, oculoplastic and ophthalmic trauma surgeon and also their hospital administrators.

Why I love what I do?

I wasn’t a natural at being a doctor and struggled a little bit in medical school. Medical school was sometimes confusing and intimidating. I picked up empathy along the way and learnt to be compassionate to other people. I found out that I loved the difference that I bought to others and got better at doing my job. A lot of what I love about my job today, I discovered while being a doctor. If I hadn’t taken up medicine I would have never found out how much I would enjoy it.

The Alina Project- TVM’s first steps into Vietnam!

The Vision Mission (TVM) travelled to Vietnam in July-August, 2019. TVM was collaborating with Alina Vision, USA to set up a Medical Retina Service and Oculoplastics service at Alina’s first eye hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam.  TVM’s goals as an organisation has been at capacity building, sustainability and access to sub-speciality eye care in under-served areas in East and South Asia. This found mutual synergies with Alina Vision. This Project was named “The Alina Project”

The Sri Lanka Diaries- TVM footprints in 2016

I was part of a team of surgeons who went to Northern Sri Lanka to operate on poor patients there who couldn’t afford eye surgery. We went to a hospital in Vavuniya which was the biggest hospital in the northern province to do the surgeries. This region was the most affected by the 25 year old civil war which only recently ended.

Project Netra 2017: The Vision Mission’s India story

We started this present trip with a CME in Bhubaneshwar, then moved to Bhawanipatna to witness the launch of the collaboration between Trilochan and SBI foundation to make the Kalahandi district of western Odhisha cataract blind free by 2021. We then moved to Sambalpur to commence Project Netra 2017. This year TVM is supporting TN for 2000 free cataract surgeries.

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.