Observing World Retina Day on 28th Sept. 2013

DELHI/NCR, India - Sept. 30, 2013 - PRLog -- World Retina Day is observed worldwide on 28^th of September to give an insight into retinal disorders affecting people. It is to bring into focus that very part of the eye which is the most precious.

There are various retina problems and each affects the sight in a different way.

Diabetic retinopathy, is damage to the retina caused by complications of Diabetes which can eventually lead to blindness. It is an ocular manifestation of Diabetes. India being the Diabetes Capital of the World with 61 million diabetics is a major cause of concern for us.

Hypertensive retinopathy is the condition where retina is damaged due to changes in the retinal vasculature induced by high blood pressure giving rise to decrease in vision.

Age Related Macular Degeneration is a common eye condition among people age 50 and older. It is an important cause of vision loss in older individuals. It gradually destroys the macula, the central part of the retina that provides sharp, central vision needed for seeing objects clearly.

Retinitis Pigmentosa is the name of a group of inherited retinal dystrophies that cause degeneration of the retina of the eye. The retina, at the back of the eye, is a thin sheet of interconnected nerve cells including the light sensitive cells (rods and cones). It is here that light is converted into electrical signals to the brain where 'seeing' takes place. In Retinitis Pigmentosa, the rod and cone cells degenerate. The rate of progression varies. There is no cure at this time.

Then there can be a retina detachment, retinoblastoma, retinopathy of prematurity and so on.

Sai Retina Foundation observed this day with various activities. The day began with an eye check-up Camp. The Camp is unique in a way as blood sugar and blood pressure estimation was mandatory for all patients keeping in mind to screen the diabetics and hypertensives. This all stems from the fact as to how important these parameters are for the eye. After registration the patients boarded the Mobile van, which has been equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities including retina screening which is also another unique feature. The screened patients were also seen by Dr. J. S. Guha, COO Sai Retina Foundation who is himself a very senior vitreo-retina surgeon. In another room some retinitis pigmentosa patients were being treated with the Scyfix machine, part of an ongoing trial to help these patients. In another part we also had a programme on Diabetes counseling.

A seminar was held from 12.00 to 2.00 p.m which included a tour of the hospital, a complete eye care solution, followed by a presentation of Dr. J. S. Guha on the different retina related problems. Smt. Sujaya Krishnan, Jt. Sec. Dept. of Health, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare was the Chief Guest and we also had Shri Ram Narayan Dubey, the Mayor of East Delhi as an honored guest.

This was the first step taken this World Retina Day and will henceforth be observed annually so as to remind us of what goals we had set and what is the progress made towards it.

So the key message is A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.