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Scientists restore partial sight in blind man

Tue, 05/25/2021 - 11:07 -- geeta.nair

PARIS: Scientists have for the first time managed to partially restore the sight of a blind patient by altering his cells, according to the results of a groundbreaking study published on Monday.

The technique known as optogenetics, which has been developed in the field of neuroscience over the last 20 years, involves genetically altering cells so they produce more light-sensitive proteins.

Google celebrates renowned opthalmologist Govindappa Venkataswamy

Mon, 10/01/2018 - 11:10 -- geeta.nair

Google celebrates renowned opthalmologist Govindappa Venkataswamy.

The Google Doodle on Monday celebrated the centenary of renowned opthalmologist Govindappa Venkataswamy, known as 'Dr V' among his patients, who flocked to the Aravind Eye Hospital that he founded in Madurai.

Born on this day in 1918 in Vadamalapuram, Tamil Nadu, Venkataswamy was permanently crippled by rheumatoid arthritis. However, despite his own health issues, nothing could stop him from what he wanted to be.

Sport contact lenses? Beware of rare infection that could leave you blind

Fri, 09/28/2018 - 12:01 -- geeta.nair

A new study has led scientists to urge contact lens wearers to look after their eyes following an outbreak of a rare infection which can cause blindness.

Researchers have noticed a three-fold rise in the number of cases of acanthamoeba keratitis since 2011 in south east England.
 

The infection that is preventable, causes the cornea, to become painful and inflamed and contact lens wearers are most at risk.

Left untreated, the amoeba can burrow into the cornea and cause blindness over a period of months.

Increase in corneal donation and transplant at Delhi AIIMS

Wed, 09/12/2018 - 10:38 -- geeta.nair

The National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB) estimates that there are around 1,20,000 corneal blind persons in the country and about 20,000 to 30,000 cases get added every year.

At 1,844 corneas, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) recorded its highest ever donations in 2017, according to the data from the National Eye Bank. The donor corneas are transplanted in people with corneal blindness.

NOA set to launch free eye care

Fri, 06/29/2018 - 10:40 -- geeta.nair

The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) said it has concluded plans to launch a free eye service care programme for children code-named ‘My sight, my right’.

With over 285 million people visually impaired worldwide, the NOA has also called for more awareness on eye health and vision care among the populace with a view to preventing blindness through knowledge and information. According to the body, out of the 285 million, 80 per cent of the cases can be preventable, and four out of five blind people are needlessly impaired.

BRAILLE BOOK ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENE RELEASED

Fri, 03/09/2018 - 10:40 -- geeta.nair

Menstrual hygiene education is a basic right of every girl by virtue of her birth and, hence, all girls, irrespective of class, caste, economic condition and physical ability, should be taught on the issue.

Having this aim, a Braille book on menstrual hygiene was released here by Dr Birupakshya Dixit, India head of the Practical Action. He said this book would be distributed among 2,500 young girls in the State. He also suggested to the Government to replicate the initiative.

Silent thief of sight

Mon, 03/05/2018 - 11:14 -- geeta.nair

As many as 60 million people suffer from glaucoma. This number is expected to increase to 80 million in the next two years mainly due to increase in the ageing population. One-sixth of them will be in India, say Surinder Pandav & Jagat Ram
Glaucoma is a common eye ailment that can lead to severe loss of vision and blindness. Because of its potential to take away sight and leading to darkness in afflicted person's life, it is also referred to as ‘kala motia’ in local population. 

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