Conference held to give tips to doctors on new eye treatment technologies

Chennai: India is home to 12 million blind people, of which, 55 per cent are blind due to cataract. With high technology facilities not available everywhere, especially in the rural areas, it is hard to expect quality treatment. With this in mind, the Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals, in association with the Eye Research Centre, organised Kalpavriksha, a three-day conference, to educate young doctors and the public, on new technologies available to treat the eye.

“Twenty years ago, one would have to wait for days in the hospital after a very long cataract surgery, for recovery. Today, cataract surgery and recovery takes very little time,” said Dr Thangam Meghnathan, chairperson, Rajalakshmi Institutions. “It is extremely sad if someone has a treatable blindness and it is not cured. It is our aim to extend high tech care to every nook and corner of the country,” said Dr Amar Agarwal Chairman, Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospitals. The conference, which began on Thursday, saw the participation of 250 doctors from different parts of the country.