Advanced technology available to tackle a “silent killer of sight”

Mar 12, 2017 News

By Sharmain Grainger

“Safeguard your eyes,” is the warning of many eye doctors. This, however, translates to

Dr Neeraj Jain explains how glaucoma is diagnosed.

having your eyes screened regularly so that if it becomes necessary, early treatment can be introduced, since the healthiest of diets or other healthy practices are not nearly enough to safeguard your eyesight.
This is especially when it comes to glaucoma, according to Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital, Dr. Neeraj Jain.
Glaucoma is deemed a “silent killer of sight” and essentially is a disease that manifests with increased pressure within the eyeball, causing gradual loss of vision. Many Guyanese of African and Asian descent are particularly prone to glaucoma.
“There are some reports which state that among the Afro-Caribbean populations, the prevalence of glaucoma is nearly six percent; in the Asian population which includes the Chinese as well as the Indians, nearly three to four percent of persons may have glaucoma. If you see the population mix of Guyana, it definitely makes a point that we should step up and diagnose early and help to save sight,” Dr. Jain said on Friday when he spoke to a few members of the media.
He explained that it is important to detect and treat glaucoma early, because this condition has been linked to irreversible blindness.
“If you don’t treat it early, what is lost, is lost forever,” Dr. Jain said, as he stressed the need for awareness about this condition.
“If you don’t know about glaucoma, probably you will not go to any eye specialist, so what we are suggesting is that people check their eyes on a regular basis, even if they don’t have a history of the condition in their family,” Dr. Jain related.
He however noted that an individual would be more predisposed to the condition if they have a family member with glaucoma. These family members are referred to as ‘First Degree Relatives’ or FDRs.
“For the past couple of years we have concentrated on FDRs for one good reason: while anyone has a 2.3 percent lifetime risk of glaucoma, those with a FDR have a 10-fold increase in that risk,” the Ophthalmologist revealed.
And Dr. Jain, who hails from India, would know, since he claims to have vast training and years of experience in the eye care arena. In fact, he has been offering his service at the privately-operated hospital for more than a decade, which has been helping to pioneer a number of medical ventures in Guyana, including treatment and surgeries that have been attracting not only local clients, but some from as far as North America.
The latest advanced service that has been introduced by the hospital comes in the form of an Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) machine. Administered by Dr. Jain, OCT is a non-invasive imaging test that uses light waves to take cross-section pictures of the retina – the light-sensitive tissues lining the back of the eyes.
An OCT examination, he explained, is very quick and easy.
“It requires the eyes to be dilated, and after that it takes just five to 10 minutes…it is an office-based procedure that is non-invasive and has no side effects.”
The OCT machine, according to Dr. Jain, was acquired at an approximate cost of US$50,000 and is believed to be the first of its kind in Guyana. This technology is said to have resolution of five microns, thus enabling experts to visualise what is not visible to the naked eye.
Dr. Jain took time out on Friday to explain and demonstrate the capabilities of this technology, even as he informed of its ability to help the local glaucoma problem. He pointed out that it is strongly suggested that persons, after the age of 40, seek to ensure that their eyes are screened for glaucoma.
“If it is diagnosed early, there is a good chance that you will be seeing all your life, but if you miss those early years there may be a possibility that your vision may be threatened because of this disease.”
There are many different types of glaucoma including open angle, angle closure, secondary, pigmentary, normal-tension, congenital, exfoliative, neovascular, uveitic and traumatic glaucoma.
Angle closure glaucoma or narrow angle glaucoma is said to be a rare form of the disease, and is characterised by the blockage of drainage canals and the sudden rise in eye pressure, according to Dr. Jain.
He said that ‘open angle’ is the most common form and is responsible for at least 90 percent of all cases reported. “It is caused when drainage canals slowly clog, thereby gradually increasing eye pressure. This condition is irreversible and persists lifelong.”
In addition to those of African or Asian descent, persons who are generally at high risk for glaucoma include those who have experienced trauma to the eye, those who are on steroids; those with diabetes or myopia, and of course, those who are a member of a family with a history of glaucoma.
Given the latter at-risk suspects, Dr. Jain said that it is important for them to be aware of the need for glaucoma optic nerve testing. Added to this, he amplified the need for those diagnosed with the condition to inform their family members that they could be at risk, a move that could help prevent the advancement of sight loss.
According to Dr. Jain, OCT has a very important role in guiding the treatment of many retinal conditions. He explained that it can recreate three-dimensional views of the retina and underlying pathologies linked to age, diabetes among others.
“OCT utilises the detailed optic nerve evaluation, retinal nerve fibre layer analysis and ganglion cell complex analysis, which can diagnose glaucoma even before the conventional methods can diagnose it,” Dr. Jain pointed out.
Currently OCT is being offered at the East Street, Georgetown Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital at a cost of $5,000 per eye but, according to Dr. Mahdu Singh, the Medical Director of the private hospital, for Glaucoma Week (which is being observed from today), clients could be eligible for a special offer which will be advertised in this newspaper. Glaucoma Week will span the period March 12th through 18th.
If a patient undergoes the test and glaucoma is detected, they will be able to access treatment offered at the very hospital. The three major types of treatment include: medical management, laser and surgical.
Dr. Jain is of the firm belief that if people were made more aware of the improved quality of life that is possible for a person diagnosed with glaucoma, it is likely that more people would seek to be screened and access available treatment.