Glimpses 2009-2010.pdf - LV Prasad Eye Institute

Ocular Oncology Centre at L V Prasad Eye Institute
India’s first Ocular Oncology Centre was set up at LVPEI in 2000. On January 24, 2004, Sightsavers, UK,
supported the establishment of a Children’s Eye Cancer Centre, which addresses the management needs of
children affected by cancers of the eye and related structures.
A total of 2347 procedures were performed in children with retinoblastoma from April 1, 2009 to March
31, 2010. This included examination under anesthesia, laser transpupillary thermotherapy, and cryotherapy
as appropriate; hospital-based chemotherapy and surgical procedures.
The free treatment was largely made possible by a generous grant from Dr Parin Vakharia, in 2004, in
memory of the late Ms Olive Swoboda, to “make quality cancer care available to children of economically
underprivileged families free of charge” and continued support by Sightsavers.
A new look at life with Boston KPro
Patient care at LVPEI draws from the latest in research and practice, with the effort on both the
clinical and research sides to bring the benefit of new knowledge to patients. For over a decade,
we have been using limbal stem cells in ocular reconstruction for patients with severe corneal damage.
However, some patients with very severe conditions may not achieve long-term benefits with these
techniques.
This year, our team of corneal surgeons honed their ability to offer a revolutionary procedure that
gives such patients a chance at recovery of vision and better eye health. The Institute, in association
with a group of scientists and clinicians from Harvard University’s Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary,
now offers the Boston Keratoprosthesis (Boston KPro) — a telescopic device implanted in eyes that
do not benefit from conventional corneal grafting. The artificial corneal implant (keratoprosthesis)
plays the role of a cornea, using biocompatible material that is comfortable and less vulnerable to
infection, while avoiding the attendant problems posed by a donor tissue, such as the lifelong need for
immunosuppressants and risk of rejection.
Surgeons from LVPEI’s Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam campuses worked closely with
Prof James Chodosh of Harvard University to perfect the surgical technique.
The direct impact: patient perspectives
September 6, 2003, is a day that will haunt Ankeet all his life. The fervour of Ganesh Chaturthi
(a popular Indian festival) was in full swing across the city of Mumbai. Persistent rain had left the
firecrackers damp and they were slow to ignite. As 12-year-old Ankeet bent over to check a lit
firecracker, it exploded in his face. His jaw and nasal
bones were ripped apart, his cheek left hanging and both
his eyes were damaged. He was in hospital for many long
weeks surviving on liquids while doctors treated his facial
injuries.
When his condition stabilized in November 2003 he came
to LVPEI seeking treatment — he could barely see light.
Doctors began by painstakingly removing gunpowder
from his eyes. He underwent four corneal transplants,
including a limbal stem cell transplant, which improved his
vision partially.
Ankeet with his mother
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