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Specialized
Retina & Vitreous Investigative and Surgical equipment
 Retina
(Fundus Camera) Topcon Japan: A dedicated camera
utilizing a high intensity flash coupled to a Digital (8
megapixel) camera takes large and very detailed pictures
of the retina. (Video digital system). Image Net (Topcon
Japan) Coupled to the camera upper end graphic card enables
the images captured to be analysed, enhanced, and literally
blown up digitally to a 1000X for examination in detail.
He data can be transferred to anywhere in the world for
a second opinion. |
 Doubled
Freq EYELITE, (Argon Style) Yag laser, (Alcon USA): Used for retinal laser. As compared to a Diode laser which
is used in the operation theatre, the Freq2 Yag is painless
and gives an exceeding good reacuoion, ideal for diabetic
retinopathy patients and macular lesions. It has a dual
delivery system and the laser can be delivered via a headmount
ophthalmoscope. |
 High
Intensity B scan ULTRASCAN (Alcon USA): For scanning
the retina to look for retinal detachment, distortions in
the retina pattern and blood, exudates, foreign bodies in
the vitreous. |
 ACCURUS
Vitreoretina Surgical System Alcon USA): Considered
to be one of the finest vitreoretinal surgical system in
the world. Standard at all major centres worldwide. Gives
exceptional control and the ability to manage the most difficult
retinal problems. Has automated air infusion, and automated
silicone injection and removal systems. |
 Red
Diode laser with endo laser capability: Utilized
to seal all the breaks and imperfections in the retina.
A surgical toll par excellence.
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 Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD)
The Retina is the light sensitive membrane of the eye which is somewhat like a film in a camera. Light falls on it and is converted into electrical energy. This travels down the optic nerves as impulses and the brain decodes this into what we know as vision.
Save it to say that the retina is the most delicate structure in the human eye.
The center of the retina is called the “Macula”. When we read a book, or look at a vision chart or gaze at anything, we are using the macula to look at it. The rest of the retina is for peripheral vision. For example when we drive down the street and are looking at the car in front of us, it is the macula which enables us to read the license plate of the car in front, but the cars on the sides are seen by the peripheral retina.
The macula is affected by disease like any other part of the body.and most importantly it is affected by Age Related Macular Degeneration.
Typically the elderly lady or gentleman has had their cataracts out a few years ago. While reading a novel, watching TV or looking at the faces of his or her grown children realizes that all is not right. There is a grayish haze in the center of the vision that refuses to go away and seems to be getting worse as the months pass.
On reaching the eye doctor who performs a retinal exam, the patient is confronted with the diagnosis of ARMD. |
Who is generaly affected by ARMD?
ARMD is quite the public health problem today. Many small communities like ours are overly affected by this due to our small genetic pool as well as our propensity to live long..
Everyone knows someone a friend, a spouse or a a parent with this condition |
In general its been found that
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20% of people age 65-74
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40% of people age over 75 have macular degeneration. Age - Related Macular Degeneration is a true public health issue even in the west, 14 million had Macular Degeneration in 1996 in the USA alone
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So now what to do if I have ARMD
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Ask the doctor if it is wet or dry. In Dry macular degeneration yellow spots called drusen appear in the macula. Ten to 15% of these patients progress to wet type
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In the wet type a collection of blood vessels leaks fluid and blood into the retina.This reduces vision severly.
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Tests:
The doctor will advise you 2 tests which will analyse the retina.Flourescein Angiography will detect leaks and OCT test will determine swelling. These tests are simple but give a lot of information on the disease.
Treatment:
The dry type has no treatment! Usually a powerful vitamin tablet with minerals is prescribed.
Basically treatment is for the wet type.
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PDT where a special dye is injected into a vein and a special laser is shone into the eye. Usually with this approach the vision falls and that’s why this treatment is not popular with patients.
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More recently a new drug called AVASTIN or LUCENTIS is injected into the eye which makes the membrane shrink. Many patients have had useful vision improvement with this medicine. Sometimes this medicine is combined with PDT for better results. |
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A new telescope implant is implanted in the eye with a procedure similar to cataract surgery. In cases usually dry type, this has yielded good results in practice. |
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A new microchip has been invented which when implanted into the retina will amplify the vision. Only your eye doctor can judge in your case which mode is appropriate.
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Prevention: Studies performed in UK showed that if the diet was rich in vitamins like Vitamin A, C, K etc and trace elements like selenium, the persons had 25% less chance of developing ARMD, So regularly take a good vitamin and mineral supplement. Its a good idea to from middle age itself have a diet rich in red, yellow and green vegetables as they contain special compounds which may prevent the disease.
UV light and sun exposure is a major cause so please wear dark glasses in the sun as a rule.
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