75 pc corneal blindness cases untreated in India due to lack of eye donors

A whopping 75 per cent of corneal blindness cases in India are untreated due to lack of eye donors said an expert on ThursdayCorneal blindness is the second leading cause of visual impairment in India with a current burden of 11 million peopleHowever only 25000 out of these requirements are met each yearldquoThis makes it feasible for only one out of every four individuals with corneal blindness to avail of the required surgery while 75 per cent of the cases are left untreatedrdquo said the ophthalmologist at Amrita Hospital FaridabadA growing ageing population higher incidence of corneal infections and injuries are some of the reasons why corneal blindness is rising in IndialdquoVitaminA deficiency in children degenerative conditions like keratoconus and corneal dystrophies congenital opacification of the cornea and postsurgical complications are some other causes of corneal blindness worldwiderdquo said Dr Meenakshi Dhar HoD Ophthalmology Amrita HospitalldquoThe symptoms can vary based on the underlying cause of the corneal damage Most patients experience blurred vision in the affected eye Eye infections usually cause significant eye pain watering redness and severe photophobia in the acute phase Visible scars on the cornea are often detectable during an eye examinationrdquo she addedCertain regions in India are more prone to corneal blindness due to various factors like healthcare access environmental conditions and socioeconomic statusStates like Uttar Pradesh Bihar Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have reported higher rates of visual impairment including corneal blindness the doctors saidThese regions face challenges such as inadequate eye care facilities lower rates of eye donation and higher exposure to risk factors like agricultural injuries and infectious diseasesCorneal blindness is also common in agricultural regions where eye injuries may lead to fungal infectionsWhile corneal transplantation is the most definitive option for advanced cases other treatments include laser therapy scleral contact lenses amniotic membrane transplants and stem cell therapyPreventive measures such as proper eye hygiene prompt treatment of infections vaccination and health education can significantly reduce the risk of corneal blindnessEarly diagnosis and treatment of corneal conditions are vital the doctor saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever